“Champions Come from Behind!”

My Dad was my Coach when I was growing up playing the Junior New England and National tennis circuit.

He always told me that champions come from behind and you should never give up. I didn’t realize how much that sank into my head until I was playing in the Maine State Championships. I was not playing well and was losing 6-0, 5-0, 40-Love. I kept hearing my father’s words in my head and, with a lot of effort and determination, I came back and won my match!

Since then it has been my favorite quote and all of my students know it well.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

As a varsity athlete in high school, I remember this marching order from my revered football and lacrosse coach, Cliff Gillespie, delivered nose-to-nose. When you think you’ve been outplayed or outsmarted on the field, or in life, Coach Gillespie’s inspiration is a vivid reminder to never give up.  It speaks to the value of team work and giving every contest in life your utmost effort and professionalism.

“Your opponent is not your enemy, but your friend, there to challenge you to do your very best.”

When I was in high school I found this quote. It was not attributed to anyone. I have kept it in my wallet all these years and refer to it often. It presents a different perspective of one’s opponent when engaged in business, politics and in sports. The negative energy we use demeaning our opponent can be transformed into positive energy focused on our own efforts and success. It was a terrific find and inspires me to this day!

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

I like this quote from Walt Disney, a man who has inspired me my whole life. With a love for what you do, a lot of hard work and a dream, you can achieve anything.

“When you buy your soccer cleats you get one for each foot, so always use both of them!”

I fell in love with soccer at age 6 and never looked back. I spent countless hours in my youth on sports fields across New York State dazzling the competition with my fancy footwork and drive to win. This quote from Ron Case, a Varsity Girls Soccer Coach, specifically talks about using both feet, but it has stuck with me most of her my because it is a reminder to put everything you have into everything you do.

“Pain is temporary, Victory is forever.”

I like this quote because it says to me not to let temporary setbacks stand in the way of a brilliant life, an amazing future and a tremendous victory.

“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.” ~Stephen King

This quote rings divine for me. So many times in my life I’ve lost my way both professionally and personally. But writing has always been my life line back to sanity and back to happiness.

“Thoughts become things. Choose the good ones.”

We are all forces of nature, with the power to inspire a child, a friend, or a total stranger. This quote from author Mike Dooley reminds me to keep a positive vision, because whatever you visualize and focus your energy on will come to pass.

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” -Dorothy Parker

I think intrigue can be found in just about any situation, so long as you’re willing to look for it. It’s when you stop looking that boredom sets in. Stay curious, and you’ll never be bored.

“Success is what happens when you escape your comfort zone. Nothing to fall back on pushes you to greatness.”

I love this quote because I believe that if you live without boundaries and be confident in yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to.

“A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.”

This quote means a lot to me because there are so many amazing challenges in life that we must face. “Going for the gold” and never quitting makes us all winners whether we come in first place or last. To meet life’s challenges, we must be positive, determined and willing to put our heart into being our very best.