Last week I put a challenge to the readers of this blog for some ideas on leadership topics to write about. I appreciate all your great ideas as I will have some material to write about for a long time. Of course, there can be only one winner.
And the Winner is……..
Adam Rossman, thank you for your idea of posting on the wisdom of Rocky. Are you kidding me! This contest wasn’t even fair as anyone who knows me knows my love of Rocky movies. I could write a doctorate dissertation on how the message from these movies apply to leadership 
.
Recently I gave a talk about limiting beliefs. The story occurred during my sophomore year of wrestling and the message was on my limiting belief that I could not compete with seniors. When I went against an upperclassman I would take my beating like a good boy in the hopes of being successful someday. The turning point came when I took on a very good senior wrestler in our conference. After taking on everything he had to give I realized that I could compete and be successful with the big dogs.
Inspirational clips of dream struggle victory movies are a great short-term motivation for us that obstacles are much smaller than they appear and they can be overcome. I say short-term motivation because we can get motivated by others success but eventually we must go out and tackle our own Goliaths on our way to success.
Rocky takes a huge leap toward his Goliath and does something that nobody has ever done before…he staggers the mighty Russian! I love the reaction from his trainer Tony as he yells, “He’s cut!” as if saying to Rocky, I knew you had it in you all along! Then later when he has his student in the corner he tells him, “You see, he’s not a machine, he’s a man.” Rocky had a mentor to show him his obstacles were not really as big as they appear.
I play this scene to you as a reminder to us all that everyday we can keep taking shots at our limiting beliefs and even though it may not seem like it, one day, just like the Russian, you’re going to “cut” them and sooner or later they are going to fall!
To all those that keep chopping away at their limiting beliefs toward their dream I salute you and await the day when I can write about you and your victory on this blog.
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Yo Steve!! Great post. I know there are many a Goliath that I have circled and circled…and circled and circled…and…you get the point. The wisdom shown in that video clip, although fictitious, is a fantastic demonstation that no problem is too big to overcome.
This is very true we all have limiting beliefs that will hold us back, but if we just keep are eyes on are dreams and goals and keep pushing toward them and don’t quit we can all get to are goals and dreams! I have my limiting beliefs but with the help of good friends that want to see me win and not hold me back It makes it easier to move forward.
Chad, it is a great feeling when you knock down a limiting belief. Can’t wait to hear about it.
I love the stories and the way our leadership brings out depth and meaning through their perspectives. It’s encouraging to know you had to battle Goliath and that he can be defeated, I can identify with Rocky in the ring and the crowd cheering him on, that’s each of us taking our turn in the ring and it’s all the Team members cheering us on. So grateful to Alicia Orick for introducing me to Gary Severson, who lead me here ;-D, and Adam who showed me how to find your blog, lol
Mary, I am grateful you are following my blog. What I love about the people you listed is that each person you mentioned is taking their turn in the ring. We all are looking forward to hearing your story.
Mary, you are such a great student.
That’s an awesome post…I’m going to continue pushing forward because I WILL be humbly rollin’ with the big dogs one day.
You are doing great, Gerarlyn!! You are a champ – just like Rocky!
Agreed!
I always see myself as being in a fight, in life. Am I going to win this fight or lose, there’s no in between. Will I be prepared for this round or this Goliath? If not, I’ll find out because I’m not backing down and I’ll give it all I have! Like Adam and Gherke said, it’s just awesome knowing that we have a community that’s right there for us cheering us on, standing up and telling us that we ARE going to make it, keep fighting and you’re gonna win. I love my team, I will fight my Goliaths everyday. Thank you for this awesome post!
Community is an amazing resource, the gift that keeps on giving.
You are spot on!
We ARE cheering for you – excited to see you slay Goliath (and see you stand victorious with your hands in the air and your foot on his throat)!! At the same time – the victories you are experiencing and your cheering is encouraging the people in your community too!
Pretty powerful stuff!!
Thank you Steve for the great example you show us!!!!! Watching Rocky as well as you and Jaime inspires me, reminds me that greatness is already inside and it takes courage to bring the best you out. NEVER GIVING UP!!!
You are right, Dayna. We all have greatness inside of us. The Bible says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Isn’t that amazing?!
I like that, “the greatness is already inside and it takes courage to bring the best you out.” Dayna – you are a great example of courage and doing what is right. Your courage will be rewarded!!
I heard one of the LIFE founders (forgot which one) say recently “we don’t make you a better person. We provide the resources and the environment for YOU to make yourself better.” I love that!!!
Great blog! I think it’s time for a Rocky marathon! Start cutting those limiting beliefs and watch them fall!!!!
There’s a fighter in all of us!!!
Its so exciting how much we can accomplish together!
“You knocked him down why don’t you try knocking me down!” Rocky V
The battle of the mind is the toughest battle I’ve ever fought! Thank God for information that helps me slay my Goliaths one CD and book at a time! Thanks Steve for your example and wisdom!
The community is a huge Goliath slayer for me. Its great to be in a place where we get so much encouragement and support to do what is right!
That is the power of association!
I agree Adam, the community it self has strength like nothing else.
One can break a single pencil, but put more of them together the stronger WE are and the weaker Goliath gets.
Great analogy Dave……… “Strength in numbers” as William Wallace would say!!
Fantastic post! You are always an inspiration!
You too Valerie!
Thanks for your post, Steve! Your story is nothing less than inspiring for me. Thank you for, in faith, leaving your teaching profession to make a bigger impact through building communities. Godspeed to PC Wisconsin!
Steve is a fantastic teacher! I’m glad he now has the chance to teach from a much larger stage!!
We can teach wherever we are. LIfe’s lessons are all around us.
I like that Steve can take anything and make it into a teachable moment. Those are the best teachers, the ones who use real life examples.
Matt – thank you for all you did yesterday to allow some of us to get time around George Guzzardo yesterday! What a great day
That was huge! It’s great when the leaders of the team take so much time and planning away from their family and business to make sure everything is set up and run smoothly for all to enjoy. Thank you Matt and Michelle.
Great blog.
“It’s a war, but he’s here to fight. Right now, this is anyone’s boxing match”. Watching that clip I felt inside to keep swinging and don’t stop. We may keep taking shots, but eventually he(Goliath) will fall. Thanks to you & Jamie for always being in our corner in this fight!
Me too buddy! Me too!
Awesome post! I am in Goliath chopping mode right now-it gets exciting when you know and have felt the liberation of knocking one down. Thanks for your and Jamie’s constant encouragement; it means a great deal to me and my family.
Keep chopping away Jammie!
LOL, Lifeman (aka, “packman”) And all the little dots are stones to cast at the ghosts. And the ghosts are different Goliath’s and you have to face them and knock them down. Interesting is it not? That even back in the 70′s & 80′s we had this information right in front of us and did not see it. Think about it “Packman” only a head (most important part) nothing from the neck down. And those were not pills but rather CD’S we feed our brains with in order to over come our transparent Goliath’s. If you can see through your Goliath then 1) he has no GUTS 2) and if you can see whats on the other side (your DREAMS) and remember what and why your fight to over come this Goliath is, then you need not a stone to cast but rather courage, compassion and knowledge to knock down the inner walls of Goliath.
Packman! Excellent analogy! As a big fan of Ms. Packman I remember the constant battle of trying to win with “ghosts” constantly harassing you.
Clearly I’m a little biased, but I think you selected a great topic to write on! What guy (and secretly gals as well) doesn’t love a great Rocky clip!?
The thing that stands out to me in the clip is the encouragement Rocky got. We all need someone great in our corner. There’s a chance that not everyone was in Rocky’s corner. Some probably thought that he would be defeated, or worse – killed by the Russian. Rocky chose not to listen to them. Instead Rocky chose to listen to those who believed in him and his cause. We all need encouragement. Thanks for the encouraging words in this post!!
There is always a first person who has done something that has never been done before. What can I do that nobody has ever done before?
You have already done what man has not done or left undone!!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
—Marianne Williamson
We are all different and anything you, me, or anyone will pursue will be different even if someone else followed the same footsteps. We all have our talents and have greatness that which we can bring to the table. Its our choice if we want to bring them out and share with the world. Steve you have inspired and helped thousands of people that maybe only you could have done. You have a unique way of relating to all types of people that we could all benefit from! Thx
Yes great point on leaving the negative out and only letting the positive in. That is also where our association comes in. Hanging around a positive group of rascals with a driven purpose to achieve excellence in there lives and the lives around them is key. There is no other choice than to move forward and never give up on your goals and dreams because life is worth it every step of the way!
Yes it is bud, yes it is!
Thanks for posting that poem! I love it!
Right on Steve. “When the going gets tough the tough get going.” Let’s go to
one million plus.
You bet Bill!
Great selection, Steve.
Here’s a twist on your perspective… Great leaders are not machines either, though guys like Orrin, Dan and yourself display constant/consistent attributes of leadership, I know you guys take psychological “cuts” often, but chances are – we’ll never know about them. So it goes with a thick skin and a soft heart.
Thanks, John
Great point, John! There was a time when I thought that great men were born that way – or through some incredibly unusual circumstances became that way. The more I’ve read about some of the greats of history and listened to some of the great minds alive today – I have realized that they are/were normal men, like you and me, who have to make the decision to be great, everyday. Steve exemplifies this quality!
Its like Joe Frazier said, “If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, well, you’re going to get found out now, under the bright lights”
Great point John and Adam. Interesting twist! That is the great think about Rocky, one clip can be interpreted several different ways;)
Hey Steve,
It’s amazing how much we can learn from the “good” movies, unlike the many that have poor messages. Thank you for always teaching us through story and visuals! I learn best that way! I will keep chopping!!! ~Kelly
Great post! I’ve always liked the Rocky movies but they never really resounded with me until I met you.
Well Kelly, I sure am glad I could help you out in that area! Watching others have success and hearing their story is a great belief step for knowing that our success can happen! Keep chopping away Kelly.
“No Pain! No gain!!” Great post Steve on attacking one’s Goliath. I still get stinken fire up watching that part of the movie