Walter & Janet Jackson
Join our mailing list and download your free chapter of our new E-Book:
"Why Difficult People Do the Things They Do and How You Can Win Their Cooperation" (coming soon)
Super Bowl Player is a Super Help to Kids
Cardinals’ Edgerrin James has a big heart, and hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Not only has he helped his family, and bought homes for them, he reaches back in his hometown of Immokalee, Florida to help the youth. It’s an agriculture based economy with 46% poverty rate for children under 18 years old.
James bought a crack house and a night club that were next door to one another. He combined them and called it the Fun House. It’s a place where kids can now go to lift weights, watch TV, play on computers or play basketball. James holds a summer celebrity basketball game at the Fun House which brings a couple dozen NFL players to town. It use to be held at the local high school, but the running back moved it to the Fun House so that the locals could come watch the annual game for free.
James has also bought rings for the Immokalee High state football champions in 2004. He sent 60 kids to Disney World; bought school clothes for kids who needed them, and uniforms for Pop Warner teams. Not only has James helped youth, he has done countless deeds for his community. In 2005 when Immokalee was hit by Hurricane Wilma, the football player filled up a semi-truck with food and water and physically passed out relief to anyone who needed the help.
Although James has not had good role models, he has become one, especially for youth in his hometown. His father kept his distance; three brothers and an uncle are in prison because of drugs, violence. However, James keeps his heart open giving to kids hoping to keep them from going down the same path. Tim Howell speaking for the sheriff’s office, says crime rates decreased in the area since the Fun House opened.
James reminds us that we can never forget those less fortunate, and lend them a helping hand so they too can have an opportunity for a better life.
By: Walter H. Jackson
If you want to effectively communicate with youth and to inspire them, it’s important to know how they perceive you. I invite you to visit http://www.sportingtherightattitude.net/inspire.htm to learn how you can help young adults become successful. Walter H. Jackson, keynote speaker, behavioral consultant, and author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. http://www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family,” an inspirational book for young adults.
Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Edgerrin James, football, inspire, NFL, Super Bowl
It’s Not Too Late
There are times you may feel that you have missed the boat. Perhaps there was an opportunity you didn’t take advantage of, or you didn’t pursue and idea. When you look back on those days, you may be thinking it’s too late.
When we focus on regrets about our lives, we are living in the past. Instead of supporting ourselves, we beat ourselves up. What matters most is this moment now. So if you have regrets from the past, what can you do now to right the situation? Or, could you try something else?
Ken Mink, a remarkable 73-year-old man didn’t get a chance to finish playing basketball in college, so he went out for the Roane State Junior College Basketball team. Today, he’s the oldest person to ever play college hoops.
What prompted Mink to go out for the team, is that he felt he was wrongfully kicked off his college team 50 years ago. However, he turned that devastating time in his life into a phenomenal inspirational story that lifts others. . Mink has heard from thousands around the country, and from associations wanting him to speak in 19 countries.
Check out the Video on Ken Mink. What an inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvkmqbgUU_E
By: Walter H. Jackson
If you want to effectively communicate with youth and to inspire them, it’s important to know how they perceive you. I invite you to visit http://www.sportingtherightattitude.net/inspire.htm to learn how you can help young adults become successful. Walter H. Jackson, keynote speaker, behavioral consultant, and author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. http://www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family,” an inspirational book for young adults.
Seven Ways to Stay Inspired to Inspire Teens
We all want to inspire young people, but we can’t do it if we are not inspired on a continuous basis ourselves This can sometimes be difficult to do in today’s world filled with depressing news. It takes effort.
Great teachers and great coaches know you have to keep yourself balanced and optimistic. It is not what you say to young people; it is the example they see in you which is most important. This is why some people say, “I talk and talk, and talk and it doesn’t do any good.” Kids are intuitive. They know if you are living by the principles, you are trying to teach them. For example, if you tell them to be positive, and you are acting depressed, they will not be motivated to be positive. Why should they listen to you?
How to keep yourself inspired:
1. Take time to read passages from some self-help or spiritual book everyday. Biographies are great to keep you inspired. Reading about how others overcame opposition helps you get through your challenges.
2. Daily exercise is not only the healthy thing to do, but it keeps your spirits high by raising your energy levels. You cannot motivate others if you are tired and lethargic.
3. Surround yourself with positive people. You do not need people who are going to keep bringing you down. If they are relatives, tell them in a loving way that you are trying to improve your life, and are not going to engage in negative conversations. If they persist, tell them simply that you will have to talk to them later when the conversation is not so depressing to you. Eventually they will get the message and know that if they talk to you, they are going to have to be more positive. This helps them to be more conscious of what they are saying and improves their lives as well. Often people are simply not aware of how negative they are to others. They do not realize that this is exactly why their lives may be falling apart.
4. Find a mentor. Mentors can be teachers, spiritual leaders, or anyone you admire. Write a letter or email someone successful to ask them how they became successful, they may surprise you and write back.
5. Write down your goals. Keep them in your wallet or purse and look at them on a daily basis.
6. Find quotes and write down affirmations that lift you. Read them as often as possible.
7. Listen to motivation tapes in the morning while getting dressed to start your day. If you are open, find spiritual books and tapes to uplift yourself.
You will never know how much you have changed the life of a child, teen, or young adult. Sometimes they will not even realize the impact you have had on their life until years later. So, do not expect them to lavish you with compliments. You may not even see an immediate difference in their behaviors. However, know, they are taking in everything thing you say and they are watching your behaviors. Simply be the best you can be and keep yourself inspired and motivated. You are bound to make a difference in a young person’s life, and even in yours.
By: Walter H. Jackson
If you want to effectively communicate with youth and to inspire them, it’s important to know how they perceive you. I invite you to visit http://www.sportingtherightattitude.net/inspire.htm to learn how you can help young adults become successful. Walter H. Jackson, keynote speaker, behavioral consultant, and author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. http://www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family,” an inspirational book for young adults.
If You Want To Inspire Teens, Know What Motivates Them
We know how important it is to communicate with our youth, but few of us take into consideration their behavioral styles, which affects their actions. Understanding how they see the world is crucial if we want to help them become self-motivated.
For example, when we observe teens interacting others, we are not aware they are using a behavioral style tendency for that particular situation. That behavior style may or may not be the same one they use in another environment.
We may simply observe one teen who is the ring leader with peers, and seems to always demand their way. Another teen appears to thrive on being the center of attention, and seems to need constant contact with others. Then there is the quiet teen who appears easily persuaded by their friends. And, there is the teen who seems quiet but not as engaged with people as the others. He prefers to sit back and observe people than to participate in group activities.
To adults these four examples are simply the way the individual teen behaves. But if you look closer, you will find the teens are using tendencies of four classic behavioral styles which are present in all people. Everyone has a combinations of these behavioral styles, but usually one style dominates.
Let me explain:
- The young person who is the ring leader, and wants always to have things her way is a Dominant behavioral style.
Dominance: Direct & Decisive. D’s are strong-willed, strong-minded people who like accepting challenges, taking action, and getting immediate results.
- The teen who can’t seem to live without his friends, and must constantly be around them is an Influencing behavioral style.
Influence: Optimistic & Outgoing. I’s are “people people” who like participating on teams, sharing ideas, and energizing and entertaining others
- The laid back teen who seems to let friends take the lead and goes along with her friends, despite her own feelings, is a Steady behavioral style.
Steadiness: Sympathetic & Cooperative. S’s are helpful people who like working behind the scenes, performing in consistent and predictable ways, and being good listeners.
- The quiet teen who doesn’t seem to make friends easily, or have as many friends as others, may be a conscientious behavioral style teen.
Conscientiousness: Concerned & Correct. C’s are sticklers for quality and like planning ahead, employing systematic approaches, and checking and re-checking for accuracy
These four styles are based on the work of psychological researcher from Harvard, Dr. William Marston. In the 1920s, Marston investigated human emotions based on how people reacted to the environment around them. He found that people’s emotions and behaviors fall under four basic behavioral categories. D, I, S, and C.
In 1972, Inscape Publishing expanded Marston’s Model and developed the DiSC Classic, a self-assessment instrument that has been used by 40 million people around the world to help people understand themselves and others for better relationships.
Understanding young people’s behavioral styles and knowing why they do and say the things they do, is a powerful way to effectively communicate with our youth to inspire them to live successful, productive lives.
If you want to effectively communicate with youth and to inspire them, it’s important to know how they perceive you. I invite you to visit http://www.sportingtherightattitude.net/inspire.htm to learn how you can help young adults become successful. Walter Jackson, keynote speaker, behavioral consultant, and author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. http://www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family,” an inspirational book for young adults.
by Walter Jackson
author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family,” inspirational book for young adults. (available on Amazon)
13 Sports Principles Obama Used to Win the White House
In my life growing up in a violent family and surviving a car accident that put me in a coma, sports principles helped me survive, and turn my life around.
These principles I have taught to my children, and to others through our workshops over the years, so you can imagine how fascinated I was to watch President-elect Obama use some of the same principles I believe that can make and keep us successful in life. It doesn’t matter if you like sports or not.
Obama has religiously played basketball since his high school days. Even on election day he was on the court which he says is his refuge, playing the sport he loves.
Whether you voted for him or not, if you look at the foundation of his election campaign, consciously or subconsciously, he ran the campaign using the same principles star athletes use to win.
Here are 13 points I picked out of Obama’s campaign he obviously used to win the election. We too can use them to win in our lives:
Responsible Team Captain: From all reports, the President-elect took the reins of his leadership role, taking full responsibility even for errors and gaffes. Like good sports team captains Obama maintained the appearance, demeanor, responsibility and dedication to the political game.
You are the team captains of your life. Take charge.
Sportsmanship: Obama resisted character attacks on his opponents and their families, instead concentrated on their policies. When the press asked Obama’s response to those criticizing Sarah Palin’s daughter for getting pregnant so young, Obama responded, “My mother had me when she was a teenager.” Good athletes know how to conduct themselves on an off the field.
How you conduct yourself, speaks louder than anything you may say.
Self Confidence: When Obama first came on the national radar for his 2004 Democratic convention speech, people marveled at his confidence since he was so young. He was a freshman Senator who had the audacity to even consider running for the Oval Office against seasoned politicians. Sports gives participants confidence to go up against strong opponents. It’s common to see teams that haven’t won a championship in years face off for the Super Bowl and NCAA championship teams, and win.
Find that self-confidence in yourself, no matter what appearances may be.
Never Underestimate Opponent: In September polls indicated that Obama was winning, however, his message to his volunteers and voters was not to underestimate John McCain. To his volunteers he said “Campaign harder than you did before, we can’t afford to sit back.” He said to voters, “Don’t think for one minute that we have already won. Go vote.” Good athletes know not to take an opponent for granted, no matter how weak they may appear.
Sometimes we act as if we are our own opponent. Don’t underestimate yourself.
Never Give up Hope: Athletes on losing teams know they can’t afford to give up hope. It reflects in their game. Hope is the Obama campaign slogan.
No matter what your bank account looks like, or what the state of the national economy, you can’t afford to give up hope.
Practice Makes Perfect: Ask any Olympic athlete what they attribute to winning, they will tell you their relentless practice. When Obama first started speaking on the campaign trail, critics said his speeches were full of rhetoric. But, as he gave more speeches, they became succinct and focused on policies. It was the practice that made him more believable to the American people.
Is there something in your life you need to practice? Giving more love? More faith?
Seek Advice: A good coach will listen to the advice of his assistant coaches, and players, and then make the final decision. It’s no secret Obama sought the advice of people like Colin Powell, Ted Kennedy, and a host of others.
We can all benefit from another perspective than our own. Even children have wonderful advice for us adults.
Stay Focused: Athletes know to win, you must keep your eye on the ball, and don’t worry about your opponent’s score. Campaign workers marveled over how focused Obama had been during the campaign.
Don’t forget to keep your eye on your goals.
Stay Calm: If there was one turning point for the Obama campaign, it was how calm he remained during the breaking of the economic crisis. This gave voters confidence in his character. Many have criticized Obama in the beginning of his campaign for being too laid back, but staying calm turned out to be a winning tool. Good athletes have to keep themselves calm in order for their bodies to flow naturally and operate at maximum performance on the playing field. They especially don’t want their opponents to know they are upset, which are points of weakness.
In our unstable world today, we must stay calm and balanced not only for ourselves, but for others. Remember you are the team captain in your life.
Team Work: Obama knew from his days as a community organizer working with grass roots people, that anything is possible with team-work. He carried that mindset into his campaign attracting legions of volunteers. Winning athletes especially know working as a unit wins games.
Be open and kind to the people around you. They are on your team, although they may not act like it at times. Showing love will help them transform.
Winning Strategy: When an athlete is good at one position, he keeps playing that position and perfecting it. Obama dogmatically stuck to his message gaining voter confidence of hope and change.
What plans do you have for your life? Have you taken your eye off the ball?
Go the Distance, Build on Momentum: “Campaigns are essentially trials,” says David Axelrod, Obama’s Chief Strategist on “60 Minutes”. “They’re endurance contests to see who has the stamina and fortitude. If you pass that test, you’ve gone a long way.” Athletes religiously work out preparing to go the distance in a game.
Your life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, so be gentle with yourself.
Have Fun: President-elect Obama says he enjoyed being on the campaign trail meeting all types of people, and had fun. Athletes know to work hard, but also have fun doing what they love doing best.
Find the joy in your life despite of what is happening in the world. You can’t afford not to smile.
By: Walter Jackson, author of “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family, ” available on Amazon. Visit www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net
and SportingtheRightAttitude.com
Self Awareness Trainings, LLC copyright 2008
October is Domestic Violence Month, Remember the Children
During these economic times, Americans stress level is on the rise. The top stressors according to surveys by the American Psychological Association (APA) are: money (81%), the economy (80%), work (67%), and health problems affecting the family (67%).
Domestic violence is a byproduct of stress especially when we are talking about financial problems, and parents underestimate the effects this has on children. I was fortunate to use sports principles to get me through the pain of trying to stop my parents from nearly killing one another, but many children who witness domestic violence don’t have any outlets. This is why I wrote “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family” for young adults. Those who are exposed to this type of family life, or any obstacles can use this book as a tool to help them get over those difficulties.
The APA reports children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit behavioral and physical health problems including depression, anxiety, and violence towards peers. These children are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.
Parents have to realize that when there is domestic violence in the home, they risk getting their children taken away by Children’s Social Services, because kids often get hurt during these family fights. Once that happens, it’s hard to get them back, or not at all. Although many are good parents who simply lose their tempers during financial stresses, the system still looks at violence in the home as a safety issue for children. Parents have to find ways to work out their differences and control their anger.
In our workshops, we teach Mindfulness, how to live in the moment to reduce stress. One of the components of Mindfulness is using your breath to control stress and anger. You simply follow the in breath and out breath. You can label your breathing to help you focus. Say: “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.” “Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.” You can also label your breaths like this: “Breathing in,” and “Breathing out.” To shorten it more just say to yourself, “In” and “Out.”
Your mind will want to carry you away, but just keep bringing it back gently like you would a small child who wanders off. Don’t get frustrated with yourself. It’s a new practice. That’s why they call Mindfulness a practice. The perseverance is worth the effort because you will feel instantly calmer, and you will be able to focus and decide on the best actions for any challenges you may face. We have to do this for ourselves and for our family.
We think kids are resilient, and they’ll bounce back from witnessing domestic violence, but that simply isn’t true. On the surface they may seem fine, but like adults, they suppress their feelings and that pain comes out sooner or later in other harmful ways.
A lot of men especially feel badly that they are not able to support their families. But parents must not tie their self worth to their finances. If you feel you may get violent, find spiritual and/or mental health counseling help. There are free services available. And know that whatever you are going through, it will get better. Faith is the answer.
Posted by Walter Jackson (www.SportingtheRightAttitude.com)
For more information, call 818-899-8812, info@sportingtherightattitude.com
NFL Inspiring Kids: Take a Player to School
If we want young people to acquire new, healthy habits, we have to do more than lecture them. We have to inspire them so they become self-motivated. That’s exactly what the NFL is doing with NFL Play 60, the national youth health and fitness campaign encouraging young people to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. It’s an innovative program designed to help fight obesity.
From now through September 29, students across the country can register to win an opportunity to host at their school an NFL player . Students will have the opportunity to ride to school with an NFL player and join him in leading classmates through the once in a lifetime physical education class.
The NFL and JCPenny presenting “Take a Player to School” program understand we have to reach out to young people on levels that excite them to learn. This is a new time and age when celebrities are the ones young people are listening to, and if that’s what it takes to help inspire our kids to stay healthy and to stay in school—Hooray! At least something is working.
Young people across the country from inner city to suburbs are dropping out of school at an epidemic rate. Our nation can’t afford to fall much further behind on the world’s playing field.
What we have to emphasize with our children, is superstar athletes like Tom Brady of the New England Patriots or Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams, participants of the NFL Play 60, didn’t quit when faced with obstacles, and they can’t either. They must stay in school.
By: Walter Jackson, author of “Sporting the Right Attitude,” new inspiring, upcoming book for young adults. Available September 30th at Amazon. Visit: www.SportingtheRightAttitude.net
Use Athletes to Teach Life Principles to Young Adults
The epidemic high school drop out rate across our nation tells us that we have to reach kids differently. We have to find things to interest them, and weave in the traditional school lessons of reading, writing, math, and oh yeah…what they are going to really need to make it…life skills. Since athletes are the rock stars of today’s generation, we should not only admire their physical prowess, but their mental and emotional skills that helped them hone their talents which can help our youth in today’s tough world.
Athletes know that in order to win, they must maintain winning thoughts regardless of the adversities they may face. Just as the athlete must have the right attitude in order to win the game, anyone, with the right attitude, can cope with the emotional stresses of their troubled family.
The skills I developed in sports, along with the courage and principles I later discovered, taught me that we can have inner peace while the outer world appears to be falling apart. Sense of confidence is built up through sports — a reassurance that somehow things will always turn out all right as long as you do your best.
I was certain I would be able to escape my family violence if I received an athletic scholarship. Several universities had expressed an interest in my athletic ability in football, basketball and track during my junior year in high school. But I watched my dream of becoming a professional athlete slip away when I was injured in a car accident that left me in a coma for three days, and took my best friend’s life.
The road back to physical and mental recovery was a difficult one. But I used the principles I used in sports to heal and get back in the game of life.
Many athletes use practical methods to rise to a higher consciousness to help them overcome challenges on and off the playing field. By using constructive channels of thought, most successful athletes learn to believe they are winners.
By: Walter Jackson, author of “Sporting the Right Attitude,” new inspiring, upcoming book for young adults. Available September 30th at Amazon. Visit: SportingtheRightAttitude.com
Olympic Track Coach Jeanette Bolden Hurdles Over Beijing Air Pollution
Jeanette Bolden has leaped over personal and professional hurdles all of her life. She won a Gold Medal for the 4×100 relay in the 1984 Olympics with an asthmatic condition. Today Jeanette is the 2008 Olympic Coach of the U.S. Women’s Track and Field team and the UCLA women’s track and field head coach.
Beijing’s poor air quality is a major concern for athletes competing in the Olympics, but for someone with asthma, it can be frightening thought of losing a race to pollution, but having an attack. However, Jeanette who was born with an asthmatic condition refuses to let the air quality or the competition hold her back. She’s in Beijing focusing on helping the U.S. team bring home the Gold, not on losing races or her breath.
Jeanette has never let her asthmatic condition hold her back, and today she tries to help others do the same. She is the founder and director of the Jeanette Bolden Asthma and Allergy Track Clinic, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
“I want to inspire people,” says Jeanette, “Asthma is not a handicap. You can and you should be able to achieve your goals.”
Jeanette is one of the athletes overcoming the odds featured in the upcoming book for young adults, “Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family.”
Posted by Walter Jackson (www.SportingtheRightAttitude.com)
Homeless Garden of Hope
One of the ways I find I can make a difference in this world is by walking the streets of
downtown Los Angeles where I take a homeless guy either to lunch, or buy him food.
It’s quite a different giving experience for me than sending a check to a mission, or
passing a few dollars out of a cracked car window, although both are important.
Talking to a homeless person I feel their soul while they tell me their stories. Although
I give them money for food, sometimes just me listening to them I know I am feeding more
than their bodies I am feeding their hearts. Many have not had anyone listen to them, or
take them seriously for years. Just taking time to listen to anyone these days is a form
of love since we all are so busy. This is evident seeing other passersby’s who don’t even
want to look at the men and women living on the streets, let alone talk to them. Maybe
they fear they’ll catch that contagious disease called homeless.
While I have to admit I often get lumps in my throat especially seeing women with babies
on the streets, there are glimpses of hope. For example, seeing a cinder-block wall of a
parking lot in the middle of skid row. Former homeless people who are residents of the
Rainbow Apartments next door are growing vegetables there. They started their garden with
help from the nonprofit Urban Farming, which is part of its Food Chain project.
Looking at their fruits and vegetables growing in that garden, I realize the harvest will
not only give nutrients to the apartment farmers, but because they share their harvest
with others still living on the streets, that garden will bring hope to a lot of people.
by Walter Jackson (SportingtheRightAttitude.com)