“Back to Basics.” That short but compelling phrase means different things to different people. To many of us it actually has several meanings.

It takes me back to my days in the military when we were required to spend the first few months in Basic Training, or “Boot Camp” as some called it, to learn the necessary skills to become a soldier.

For sports fans, it can certainly mean something very different. Study any winning sports franchise from high school to college to the professional ranks and you’ll find an extreme focus on the “basics”! In the midst of the recent “March Madness,” I wrote an article on the NCAA basketball tourney focusing on how many games were decided by a single free throw … one of the game’s critical basics.

We, the AchieveMax® speakers, facilitate Leadership Boot Camps several times a year to assist organizations that are grooming potential leaders in the “basic” skills required to lead others. Many times these “rookies” are more eager and open to learn than many long-term supervisors who simply don’t buy into the need for “basics.”

To many of us tried and true football aficionados, the concept of “back to basics” evokes fond memories of one of football’s greatest coaches of all times. Vince Lombardi was virtually synonymous with the National Football League. He was legendary for his coaching philosophy and motivational skills. He spoke softly, slowly and seldom. But when he did speak, everyone listened and responded. He was loved, admired and respected by his players, fans and opponents alike.

Vince was an Assistant Coach for the New York Giants and Head Coach for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. He was the Coach of the Year in 1959, boasted a 9-1 playoff record, won five NFL Championships and the first two Super Bowls ever played! He ended his career with a winning percent of .738!

Lombardi’s players were wholeheartedly devoted to him, and his emphasis on hard work, dedication, focus on the basics and desire to succeed endeared him to millions who admired his values. Vince Lombardi knew what it takes to be number one, and he passed that on to millions of others as an author and professional speaker after his distinguished football career.

Watch this short clip to learn some of Vince’s powerful beliefs … or “basics.”

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Every once in a while I’ll find myself getting knocked on my butt by a simple realization that’s not altogether foreign to me. It happens simply because the time is right … I was ready for a lesson … or I needed to hear a certain message in a certain way.

I learned long ago that when something like this happens, I should not question why. I now simply accept the lesson and start looking for ways to apply it in a positive way. I recently stopped by a friend’s home to drop off a book he had requested from my library. When I arrived he had just tuned in to an old movie on TV … The Butterfly Effect, a 2004 psychological thriller starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart and Eric Stolz.

I got caught up in the unusual plot and stayed to watch the entire film. Of course, this movie took things to the extreme for the sake of entertainment value and ticket sales. However, it led me to return home to Google additional insight.

Please forgive me for the following paragraph. Just read it and don’t worry about fully understanding it. It’s foundational, if nothing else.

In reality, the “Butterfly Effect” is a term used as a metaphor in Chaos Theory to describe how tiny variations can affect giant systems, and complex systems, like weather patterns. In short … how little things today can result in big things tomorrow.

Fear not, I understand very little of that myself. So let’s translate all of that jibberish into something meaningful to you and me in today’s world. It’s so simple, and yet, so very powerful.

Have you ever wondered if you make a difference? Well, you do! … in ways you may never realize … for generations to come. And, sadly, you may never know it. However, that doesn’t diminish your impact in any way! There are generations yet unborn, whose very lives will be impacted by one simple thing you share with someone this very day!

For instance, I can vividly recall sharing what I felt were words of wisdom with my three children when they were young. They may have very well disputed the term “wisdom” at that time. However, today I often experience warmth in my heart and a tear in my eye when I hear them imparting, with great sincerity, that same “wisdom” to my grandchildren … almost word for word!

If my grandchildren do the same to my great-grandchildren … well, I’m sure you get the picture here. A few words uttered by me in a moment of sharing could very well impact generations to come long after my demise.

The problem with this scenario is obvious but seldom contemplated. Do we get too caught up in our daily dog-eat-dog world of routine and repetition to pause for just a moment to share that possible wisdom with a child, friend, spouse, sibling, co-worker, neighbor or stranger?

What are we doing that’s more important than the impact our time and words might have for someone in the future? No one ever went to their grave leaving a tombstone which read: “I wish I would have spent more time at work!”

Take a moment from your busy schedule to share some family history. Watch and then discuss the morals of movies such as It’s a Wonderful World, Mary Poppins or The Wizard of Oz. Share old photos. Compare music of the generations. Walk and talk. Enjoy nature. There are so many things you can do today that will be remembered and cherished for decades to come.

You can make a difference but you must first put forth an effort. You and those you love will never regret it!

Take a look at this short video and make plans today to make a difference tomorrow! You’ll be glad you did!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.