I. FOUR STEPS TO OVERCOMING A MAJOR FAILURE OR DEFEAT
A major failure, defeat or disappointment is not fatal nor is it final. When a crisis looms on the horizon, it will never telegraph its arrival -- it will strike suddenly, unexpectedly and many times it will be catastrophic.

How would you handle it if you were stripped of your dignity, self-worth, honor, family, friends, money, career, reputation, clothing, and even your physical freedom? The tinsel and glitter of Hollywood gave me a blind side as I bailed out of a troubled motion picture project, starring four Dallas Cowboy football players. I traded off short term gain for long term pain, and by all standards, it is a lousy trade. It led to my DARKEST HOUR.

II. NOTHING BUT NET
There are no shortcuts to success. You can't fake it until you make it. There is no substitute for preparation -- the way you practice is the way you play. It takes perfect practice to enjoy perfect play. In fact, it takes a lot of unspectacular preparation to enjoy a spectacular performance. Your people will be given a game plan on how to take it to a new level, professionally and personally.

III. WINNING WHEN YOU GOTTA WIN
When the vise is closing in on you from both sides, sweat pouring off your brow and your fingers barely hanging on, it is possible to win in those MUST WIN situations, even when the pressure is the most intense. Mental toughness separates the great ones from the good ones. In business and in sports mental toughness sets yourself apart from the pack – ZONE MENTALITY is where the action is!

IV. THE BEST NEVER REST
There is grave danger and a high degree of risk for getting in your comfort zone. You must run a little scared and hungry every day—don't get smug or cozy, don't become lethargic or complacent—the only way to coast is down hill and it doesn't take long to hit rock bottom.

The great NBA coach, Pat Riley says, "Complacency is like a disease sitting on your shoulder, just waiting for you to let your guard down."

Have vision that sees down the road what the average person never sees until after the fact. You will be the trend setter, you will be setting the pace, and others will be choking on your dust. There is no way you can increase your capacity to do anything until you STRETCH! Give every effort in making last week, last month, and last year look ever so small.

V. THE SWOOSH FACTOR
Does your corporation have THE SWOOSH FACTOR? Good is not good enough, make excellence your standard. A quote from the book 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, "the enemy of the best is good." How many times have you heard someone say, "Isn't this good enough?" Have an exceptional drive to exceed the expectations of everyone counting on you. Be dissatisfied in spite of progress. Have a personal mission statement, vision statement, and passion statement. Redefine yourself in all the important areas. It will be a defining moment in creating your own momentum, and going beyond success and becoming significant in all you do.