Fear

Failure is a word used to describe a situation that didn't meet expectations of any sort. All of us have failed at some point in our lives. We struggled to meet the goals we have made for ourselves. Whether that has been individually, as a collaborative, or as a team, we've all failed. But the problem with failing is that in some of us, it instills fear. Fear of failing again, and again, and again. The mentality then takes over and limits us from trying to be successful.

Michael Jordan claims that due to missing over 3,000 shots in his career, its made him successful. The duty of having millions of people watching you take the final shot for your team has to be daunting. Especially when you are considered a legend, and legends aren't suppose to make mistakes. Michael took that shot on many of occasions with the game in his hands. He failed to make that shot 26 times. I don't think I've failed to do anything more than 5 times without completely losing my composure, and he did it 26 times. I did it in front of no one but myself, and he did it in front of millions of people.

It was Michael's drive to succeed that let him overcome his fear of failing. He was willing to do absolutely anything to become the greatest player of all time. But through that drive he became more than the greatest basketball player. He became an iconic figure to North American society. How many friends do you have in your life that resemble that quality? Does your role model? Do you?

A long time ago I decided that I couldn't let fear distract me from my goals. That in order for me to break plateaus I had to know that there was no limits. Limits are restrictions, and restrictions are fear based by-products. I don't want to be afraid to do anything in my life. Whether that be love, school, career, family, or friends. I want to be able to laugh without consequence, shoot for the stars, help a friend, love unconditionally, and be a good role model. But if fear gets in the way, I can't. Therefore we cannot allow it to be a restriction for us in meeting our goals.

Don't be afraid to let your emotions out. Don't be afraid to tell someone what they mean to you. Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. Don't be afraid to apply for that job. Don't be afraid to take the last shot with millions of people watching. Because if you never try, you'll never make it.

Impossible is Nothing.

Cookies anyone????

Hi today my title is Corey Black, OCAA gold medal winner. Yesterday my title was Corey Black, OCAA silver medal winner. Now you're all probably thinking what the heck are you talking about Corey?

Well yesterday was the OCAA gold medal game, which involved the Loyalist Lancer Men's Rugby team and the Georgian Grizzlies Rugby team. The Loyalist guys came out on top 29-5 and completing the perfect season. With the victory the Lancers finished with a 7-0 record and the OCAA title.

Last year the lancers settled with a silver medal, getting pounded by St. Lawerence vikings in the final. A day that wasn't fresh in the mind of the seniors on this year's gold medal team. It's the frustration of losing that raises us to the passion of winning, and the quest of the "cookie."

If you've ever been to a men's rugby game at Loyalist, I guarantee you've heard a "gimme that cookie" being screamed from the field. The "cookie" represents the ultimate goal of winning a championship and accomplishing your dreams. Giving 100% to something you want so bad you can taste, and my life is full of cookies to get. But you can cross one off the list. An OCAA gold medal. But it's always on to the next one.

Life is about more than just accomplishing your goals. It's about accomplishing your goals, and continuing the pursuit of your life goals. You should always be striving for the next goal, trying to grab that cookie.

Just remember when you go for that goal, that you need to go deeper down and inside scream to yourself "Gimme that cookie."

"The difference between a goal and a dream is writing it down" - Chip Wilson

Operation Wish!

Have you ever gotten that feeling deep down inside you, that says you're doing the right thing. You know that feeling that makes you feel like you're doing something right not only for yourself, but for others as well? It's the feeling of giving back the skills you possess for a greater good, something more than just your own personal benefit.

I feel lucky and honoured to be working with Tracey Reid on the Operation Wish project this year. The opportunity to give support to a cause I feel passionately about can only help bring strong results to the campaign. But more importantly, I have the opportunity to help bring happiness to the people fighting to keep our country free. An honour I won't soon forget.

Operation Wish is a collaboration between the Canadian Forces and Sears Canada Inc. to send a large 12x4 foot banner to the troops deployed in Afghanistan. On the banner is pictures and signatures of the soldier's families and friends. The banner is then given to the troops on Christmas Day. Soldiers are then given the opportunity to purchase gifts for their families online at http://www.sears.com/ for discounted prices only available to the soliders.

This is the type of project that I wouldn't have imagined me doing a few years ago, due to the large intended audience. But because of a great teammate in Tracey, and help from our great program co-ordinator at Loyalist College in the Post-Graduate Public Relations, Kerry Ramsey, anything is possible.

Changing A Life

Have you ever dreamed of taking your hero to school with you?

We all have different heros ranging from Nelson Mandela to Superman. The individual that represents the qualities you wish to possess at some point in your future. It's those heroes we look up to in times of need, and more importantly when we need advice. We question our decisions based on whether or not our role model would have made that same decision.

When I was growing up, I had a few heroes. I always wished I could take one to school. Just so I could show all my friends and classmates how cool I really was. (I mean who doesn't wish they could take Batman to school for just one day, right?) Just for one day I could be the kid who everyone wanted to be. Just once.

Wilson Inc. and the NFL Canada are giving kids the opportunity to be the hero at their school. Kids can take any NFL player in the league, regardless of stature or fame to their school. The day has to fit around the schedule of the player, but I mean I'm sure the child who wins won't be upset if Terrell Owens comes on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

This has the potential to change the life of the child who wins. Some people spend their whole life wishing to meet their heroes, and here is Wilson Inc. and the NFL offering to do it for a child. Not only one child, but four throughout Canada.

I've seen promotions of individuals trying to kick from half field to win a million dollars, hockey players offering to hold street hockey tournaments for youths, and even athletes willing to donate large sums of money to not-for-profit organizations but I have never seen a promotion that will change the life of a child like this one.

Wilson Inc. and the NFL have created a gem, and the best part of the whole promotion is it's free to enter. When was the last time you got offered to do anything for free? Nevermind meet your hero.

Can Anyone Stop Tom Brady?

I'm sure when the National Football League fans witnessed Tom Brady go down due to a serious knee injury during the first game of the 2008 season there was a serious gasp for air.

Then prior to the season, critics asked if he could return to his NFL Hall of Fame bound form. He came out with an average start as any pro returning from a year long injury would. Producing less than stellar statistics, and more importantly losses. But then, on Sunday October 18, 2009 he showed us the pre-injury Tom Brady. The one that throws touchdowns to any player on the New England Patriots offensive roster at any given time.

He proved that to the point of breaking one NFL record, and matching a record that was set when the NFL merged with the AFL. Tom Brady threw 5 touchdowns in the second quarter of the 59-0 pounding of the Tennessee Titans. He then matched the Patriots record for throwing touchdowns in a single game by tossing 6 touchdowns; which matched his 2007 MVP season record.

The more impressive part was that Tom made the rest of his team look legendary. Especially Randy Moss who has been struggling recently. He threw three touchdown passes to Moss who has been held to just one touchdown this season. That's what made Brady an MVP quarterback in the league only two seasons ago.

And that's why Tom Brady should be an MVP again in 2009.

Dynasty

Do you remember as a kid hearing about the Edmonton Oiler's of the 1980's or the maybe you're old enough to recall the San Fransisco 49er's of the early 1990's. These are the dynasty's I grew up reading about and watching as I became more and more of a sports fanatic. I never in my wildest imagination dream of witnessing what I am witnessing now. The most amazing individual athlete of the last 100 years. Tiger Woods.

After watching the last two days of the President's Cup, (which is golf's way of promoting country vs country competition) I have realized what a dominant player Tiger Woods actually is. The way the man presents himself to the media, the way he dominates on the golf course, and the way he supports his teammates is absolutely world class. It's his presence that makes other athletes in his competitive field scared to compete at the same event. He brings a persona that is not rivaled by any other athlete of our time.

No wonder sponsors are lined out the door to ink Tiger to a deal. He has the following of most sports fans across the world. His reach to the public is far beyond that of a superstar basketball player, because of the worldwide fan base. It's those fans that pay thousands of dollars to get a glimpse of him that make him so marketable. (And to think my mother got to meet him for free, unbelievable.)

It's when Tiger comes back on the 17Th hole on the third round from a 2 stroke deficit to beat his opponent on the third round of the President's Cup, or when he clinches the win for his country on the final day of the President's cup that makes him that dynasty I never thought I'd see as a kid. That's what Tiger Woods does almost every weekend, and that's why Tiger is the marketing icon that he is.

Tiger Woods is a dynasty.

Value...

It's always on the mind of us as consumers. "Where and when can I achieve the best bang for my buck?" A question that drives us to purchase products over and over again at various locations. But when we go to sporting events to view what we call our "hero's" does value come to mind? Not generally, unless of coarse we are the management team of that organization.


As an athlete, I understand that winning takes time, and practice. (We all remember Allan Iverson's speech about practice.) Time, the key word in producing and winning in any sports specific atmosphere is the second equation. The first equation on every management staffs mind is where can I get the best bang for my buck. The difference is, as a general public we are talking generally at a maximum of $50,000. And that's generally for an automobile. Imagine having a budget of $100,000,000 and trying to produce a championship major league team that has to impress not a family, but a fan base of millions. It's that thinking that makes management teams try and get their best bang for their buck.

The public always hears the negative news when it comes to sports athletes and their under performing. After reading Kelly Dwyer's article, The top 10 value-for-money deals of the last decade, I understand more about the value general manager's are looking for when they go out and sign free agents. It's too bad we as the general public never hear about these types of stories that help promote large salary contracts. It's the feel good stories, like Steve Nash, who took a little less money so that he could be on a championship caliber team. That's the value all teams should be looking for. For that matter, we should as consumers as well.

Maybe one day, right?