Priorities

Knowing your purpose should allow you to organize and prioritize your activities. But if you know your purpose and continue to align yourself with something that’s not what you’re supposed to be doing…

If you continue to say yes to things that are not aligned with your vision or values…

Or if you feel guilty about saying no and you talk yourself into doing something you know you shouldn’t be doing…

Then you’re going to be out of balance and experience stress.

“Your purpose determines your priorities, your priorities direct your plans, and your plan gives energy to your push. If one is misaligned, everything suffers.” ~ Cortney Sigilai

Inhale Prioritization, Exhale Unintentionality…
Inhale Alignment, Exhale Guilt…
Inhale Balance, Exhale Instability…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Restoration

One of the things I most enjoy about this semi-retired phase of my life is the time to occasionally be leisurely in the morning. I am so grateful for the time to sit in my favorite devotion space, feet elevated, knees on ice, coffee and water at the ready for as long as I need to pray, to think, to meditate, to read, to write or to just be still.

Just as sleep rests and rejuvenates my body, my morning routine restores and replenishes my soul.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” Mathew 11: 28, MSG

Inhale Reflect, Exhale Rush…
Inhale Restore, Exhale Deplete…
Inhale Replenish, Exhale Exhaust…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Health

Be the Light

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be the light, see yourself in others and show them love.

Inhale Light, Exhale Darkness…
Inhale Sight, Exhale Fear…
Inhale Love, Exhale Hate…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

What Have You Done for Me, Lately?

Jalen Hurts was the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in 32 years. For the entirety of his freshman season, the media marveled at his composure, his toughness and his leadership.

Hurts was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, briefly a part of the Heisman discussion, and took his team to the National Championship game.

In that game against Clemsom, Hurts led what seemed to be the Championship drive…before the avenge-minded, generational talent, Deshaun Watson threw the winning touchdown with one second left in the game.

Hurts was one second away from leading his team to a National Championship as a freshman. And that failure fueled him and his team for the following season. Unfortunately, in his next Championship appearance, Hurts seemed to run out of gas. Thankfully freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was able to infuse some energy.

In the aftermath of Tua’s electrifying second half performance, the media and even some “fans” have been dismissive of Hurts. It’s as if the now sophomore leader had somehow changed and become less of what was celebrated just the year before.

I would say the opposite is true. His composure, toughness and leadership never wavered during or after the game. In this crucible moment, Hurts has elevated his leadership and demonstrated the kind of team first attitude that experts say is necessary but very seldom seen in a leader.

“…we have two good quarterbacks on our team…both of them made a great contribution to the success of the team this year…two fine young men who really respect each other and have worked hard to help each other all year long.” ~ Coach Nick Saban

Inhale Team First, Exhale Me First…
Inhale Team Commitment, Exhale Selfishness…
Inhale Team Success, Exhale Failure…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Calculated Risk

A lot has been made of the risk taken by Alabama Coach Nick Saban when he put in freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after halftime during the 2018 National Championship game. But Saban’s ability to accurately adjust his game plan is well documented as is the young quarterback’s talent, confidence and composure.

I would characterize the choice to insert Tagovailoa, which injected energy and hope into a team that was flailing, as an informed decision by a discerning leader.

”I think all year long we had lots of confidence in Tua, and we played him so that, if this situation occurred, that he would be ready to play.” ~ Coach Nick Saban

Inhale Calculated Risk, Exhale Confusion…
Inhale Incisive Choice, Exhale Waver…
Inhale Informed Decision, Exhale Indecision…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Peak Performance

Leaders often allow underperforming people to stay in positions because the leader is concerned about their feelings. Awareness of how leadership decisions impact team members is a leadership responsibility.

But to leave someone in place when they aren’t doing the job is an abandonment of leadership responsibility and possible sacrifice of the organization’s goals.

Sometimes, “…the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” ~ Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

“We’ve had this in our mind that if we were struggling offensively, that we would give Tua an opportunity, even in the last game… I thought Tua would give us a better chance and a spark, which he certainly did.” ~ Coach Nick Saban on his decision to switch QBs during the 2018 National Championship Game

Inhale Performance, Exhale Dysfunction…
Inhale Decision, Exhale Default…
Inhale Responsibility, Exhale Relinquishment…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Leadership

Resiliency

I don’t believe I’ve ever heard an interview with Nick Saban when he didn’t use the word resiliency. The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, to brush off a mistake, to not get discouraged when things are not going well, to just keep playing, is a characteristic displayed by the most successful athletes and teams. It’s a quality Coach Saban stresses to his teams.

Because in sports, as in life, every obstacle overcome increases the confidence you have that you can overcome the next obstacle and maintain your forward progress.

“I hope you take something from this game and the resiliency that you showed in this game and it helps you be more successful in life.” ~ Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban to his team after their comeback win over Georgian in the 2018 National Championship Game.

Inhale Resiliency, Exhale Demoralization…
Inhale Resiliency, Exhale Discouragement…
Inhale Resiliency, Exhale Depression…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Roll Tide Roll!

When you grow up with a sports fanatic dad and then attend the University of Alabama, you almost have to know something about college football. But as much as I love the football acumen Nick Saban has infused into the storied Alabama program, what I love even more is his leadership. Occasional sideline histrionics aside, Coach Saban has inspired leadership in his organization from the coaching staff, through the alum who excel in the NFL, to the 2017-2018 team vying for a 17th National Championship.

The only thing that makes me happier than seeing Saban disciples lead SEC football programs, is hearing about a leadership decision made by the team veterans who are quick to remind wayward teammates about the “Alabama way” of doing things.

I’ll be watching my Crimson Tide tonight and looking for leadership, discipline, determination…and a win!

Roll Tide!

“The most difficult part of my job as the head coach is not designing a blitz defense that will work against an opponent; nor is it navigating the vicious world of recruiting. My toughest job? Being a leader.” ~ Nick Saban

Inhale Excellence, Exhale Complacency…
Inhale Relentlessness, Exhale Resignation…
Inhale Perseverance, Exhale Giving Up…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#RollTide