Kindness matters. Humility matters.
How do you foster gratitude? Every night, list three things you are grateful for from that day. Some days are tougher than others. Some days, it might just be getting through the day. Other days, there might be too many to count.
Every morning, list three things you’re going to do to make a positive impact in the world. Who are three people you are going to compliment or smile at in the hallway at school? Maybe you’ll be kind and talkative to someone at the drive-through window.
My daughter is complimented all the time on her smile when she is working. In fact, there’s been people who have told her they look forward to seeing her at the drive- through because she takes the time to talk to them and remembers their names.
THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE A BIG IMPACT!
Help others.
When you are in a position to help others, whether with your insight, your knowledge, your connections; help others. Don’t confuse pride and accomplishment with ego and vanity. Someone (probably many people), helped you along the way: pay the favor forward.
When I spoke with the middle-schoolers recently, I asked them: How do you want your classmates to remember you? What is your legacy statement before graduation? In your sport, in the classroom, in your activity? How do you want to be known?
Kindness matters. Effort matters.
Do you bring your team average up or down with your attitude & effort? There is a BIG difference between being an athlete and being a great teammate. I’ve seen some of the most gifted athletes plummet and never play on teams because guess what? Coaches didn’t want to work with their bad attitudes. They brought the entire team down.
Be the light.
Be the person people want to be around because you are positive and inspire others & because you make them feel good about themselves. Ask yourself: who do you know who makes you want to play to a higher level?
Figure out a way to get that person on your team or as a mentor and then make it your goal to someday become that person to others.
We all have it within us:)