Orrin Woodward Leadership Team

Welcome to my leadership blog. Ideas have consequences and the goal of this blog is to discuss ideas of consequence. Some ideas you may agree with and some you may disagree. No worries. The only rules are that you post under your own name and that you think and discuss in a civil manner. People who attack others only prove they have reached the limit of their logic. The Bible states, "Iron sharpens iron" and we will sharpen one another by what we read, write and think. The goal of this blog is to help us identify and follow truth in all areas of our lives. I encourage you to join our leadership discussion and transform yourself and others through the renewing of our minds.

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Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Orrin Woodward on Tue 30 Jun 2009 09:29 AM EDT | Permanent Link | Cosmos

Emmitt Smith has always been one of my favorite athletes. His body may have been smaller than most other football running backs, but his heart was much bigger. Emmitt set the goal early in his career to break the all-time rushing record. This NFL video classic captures the essence of pursuing a dream as well as any video I have ever seen! There are so many incredible points for leaders in this video that I had to post it in its entirety. I would almost say, that if this video doesn't make you cry, that you are not in touch with your dream & quest for excellence! Watch the video to see what I mean. Please add your comments and feel free to add to the list of major teaching points below. God Bless, Orrin Woodward

On your quest for excellence, you will learn to apply some of the same principles to accomplish excellence. You will also run into the some of the same challenges that Emmitt did. For example:

1. Many will minimize you and your abillity to accomplish your dream. - During the NFL draft many critics said Emmitt was too slow to play in the NFL.

2. When you succeed, many will minimize your contributions by saying anyone in your situation could do it. - Critics stated that many NFL backs could lead the NFL in rushing if the had the offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys.

3. You will learn to play hurt on the way to your dream. If you cannot play hurt, you cannot accomplish big dreams. - Emmitt separated his shoulder in a key game, but refused to go out because the season was on the line.

4. You will learn to refuse to read your own press clippings. - Emmitt never allowed his growing success to change who he was or his discipline to continue.

5. You will be blessed with great teammates to support you on your journey. - Emmitt has encouraging teammates who believed in his vision to break the record.

6. You will develop a sense of historic imagination to carry you through the daily grind. - Emmitt had studied the greatest backs and knew the magnitude of the historic quest that he was undertaking.

7. You will learn that many who start the journey with you will not finish it with you. - When Emmitt set the record, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin were both retired.

8. You will learn that excellence requires sacrifice, but it is worth the price. - Emmitt maintained a strict regimen of eating, exercising, and self-denial to accomplish excellence.

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Comments

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Miguel on Tue 30 Jun 2009 10:44 AM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

Deliberately trying to make people cry huh?! LOL! Thanks for sharing this! It's amazing what one mans belief in another along with a vision, dedication and hard work can do!

You, Chris and Tim are the "triplets" leading TEAM!!!

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Alpesh Shah on Tue 30 Jun 2009 10:50 AM EDT | Permanent Link

Orrin,
Unbelievable video thank you for posting this. I love the way that they go into the history of the goal and how much it meant to Emmitt. My favorite part had to have been when he separated his shoulder and kept playing for the sake of the team. This just fired me up to go out and go on the battle field and share what we are doing ; get knocked down and just realize i gained a couple of yards on the 95%er. One last thing ; I love the way that he gets his last couple of yards on his hands and knees such a tenacious picture of someone going after a goal and not stopping until he gets it ( it reminded me of Bill lewis for some reason)

Re: Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Jamie Majik on Tue 30 Jun 2009 11:54 AM EDT | Permanent Link

Great video! The man is legendary and such an inspiration. How cannot you not cheer for a man such as this. He is such a good person and has soooo many accomplishments on and off the field! Im happy he was chosen to represent the top legends of the sport world. He deserves the vacation that comes along with it....trip to the Bahamas to play poker and golf. Much deserved. Go Emmitt!

Re: Re: Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Josh W on Tue 30 Jun 2009 05:29 PM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

Wow. Great video. I love Emmitt Smith! What was he chosen for??

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Anonymous on Tue 30 Jun 2009 04:01 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Thanks Orrin for the inspiring video. Reminded me to never stop dreaming.

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Michael Robinson on Tue 30 Jun 2009 07:33 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Thank You Orrin for sharing this great video. This man shows what it takes to get through each obstacle. He had a great dream and vision and we should all learn from this to never never never never never never give up on you dreams and goals in your life.

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by BTCG on Tue 30 Jun 2009 10:40 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Emmit Smith. Along with Barry Sanders, he was the picture of grace and style under pressure. Whenever he scored a touchdown, he would merely hand off the ball to the ref. No spiking, ball spinning, or dance steps. Pulling out a Sharpie to sign the ball (Like the unlamented TO) was completely foreign to the way he played the game.

I remember it so clearly because here was a player that would let his accomplishment speak for themselves. He did not crave the limelight, he merely craved the accomplishment.

Here's another leadership maxim for you - The true leader will let his accomplishments speak for themselves - he has no need to call attention to them. The flip side is also true - the more one calls attention to his accomplishments, the smaller they are.

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Anonymous on Wed 01 Jul 2009 08:26 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Thank you for posting this video. It's given me much to think about. I like how this video shows that if you follow your dreams you can encourage other people to follow their dreams. Emmitt Smith reminds me of the TEAM leaders. Thank you again.

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by JediRich on Thu 02 Jul 2009 11:38 AM EDT | Profile | Permanent Link

WOW! thank you Orrin, Defiantly an emotional video for us long chasing our dreams! As I watch Emit running I can almost hear him saying "there is a way, there IS a way". Weaving spinning and fighting he's always moving forward. Orrin this is a timely video also, and I know it is no accident. Zulay and I are lined up and running our 72 blitz.Thank you for again casting the vision and never wavering. Our time is upon us we are at the cross roads again as a nation. We (TEAM) have been call to restore our republic!!!
Sons of Liberty we are, united we stand!!!!
Love you Orrin, God bless!!!

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Patrick Clowater on Mon 06 Jul 2009 10:09 AM EDT | Permanent Link

This video represents what we on the TEAM do every day that we put on our shirt and tie and go talk to a new person. We tell people that we found a way that can help them get their dreams, no matter how big their dreams are. There are no limits to what we as the TEAM can achieve. I believe that 1 MILLION people will be just the beginning!

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Russ Kruse on Sun 19 Jul 2009 04:37 PM EDT | Permanent Link

Perseverance, Focus, Unyielding, Tenacity; just some of the words to describe Emmit during his pursuit of his dream.

I believe we all have that in us, we just give in too soon or give up under pressure - physical or psychological. I know in reflection I was certainly guilty.

A definite example of how he never lost sight of his dream; his quest for excellence!

Thank you Orrin, for being a great example, for showing us that we can all achieve more in life if you truly desire.

Re: Emmitt Smith - A Quest for Excellence

by Anonymous on Fri 31 Jul 2009 10:25 AM EDT | Permanent Link

More lessons learned from the video (Emmitt's Run with History)
1. Emmitt: "The most difficult thing for an athlete (or should I say, "Team Leader") to do is to have a consistent career." (~3min. 50sec.)
2. Michael Irvin: "... I love Barry, but if you don't want it BAD, I don't want you to have it." (~31min.). Team translation: "If you don want PC bad, I don't want you to have it." (talking to myself...)
3. Emmitt: "... do it right here in Dallas with GOD (!) watching..." (~44min.). God is watching us, too.

Today's The Day
Holger

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