Want to see a successful mindset in action?
This short, 1-minute video is from the waning minutes of a college football game between USC and Western Michigan. What happens when a second-string player takes the field for an otherwise inconsequential play is the best moment of the game.
Jake Olson – USC Snapper
Jake Olson was born with retinoblastoma. By the age of 12, doctors had removed both of Jake’s eyes to save his life from cancer. On the night before his second surgery – the one that would leave him blind for the rest of his life – Jake attended a USC football practice as a guest of head coach Pete Carroll.
Eight years later, Jake is now playing for his favorite college football team and attending school on a scholarship. He is this week’s Pac 10 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
In 2016, ESPN featured Jake’s story on College Gameday. This 5-minute report encapsulates Jake’s full-circle return to Southern Cal.
“You can’t send a duck to eagle school.” Mac Anderson
Jake is a remarkable young man who dares to go where none have gone before him. His mindset makes that possible.
Only eagles can do what eagles do.
A “duck” mindset will not think like a bird of prey and cannot be “coached up” to that level.
Jake brought the heart of a champion and a winning mindset with him to the first day of practice. He only needed coaching on the mechanics and technique of his position.
Eagles don’t have to be trained to maintain a positive attitude, to smile at the customer, to keep their word, or to give their best effort every day. They just need pointers in execution of job-specific duties and an introduction to the company culture. Then step back and watch them excel!
Eagles also don’t fly south for the winter.
I believe, as an entrepreneur, you’re an eagle, too. Now that 2017 is approaching the fourth quarter, it’s time to be “eagle-eyed” (see what I did there?) on your goals for this year and to make plans on how you’ll “soar” in 2018 (two for one on puns).
What is your one, burning desire to do in life that, like Jake, you would never stop pursuing – even if it meant losing an eye or a limb?
