Tag Archives: positive

Inspiration

You can change the world

By David Tepera, June 7, 2017

Like all seniors this year, my son Dylan graduated high school. Many parents cried at the ceremony because it means their childhood is over. All the years of recitals, sports, activities and etc. are over.

Of course, not every child had great experiences while growing up in public schools. Maybe you felt like an outsider and different from the stereotypical normal popular kids.

Well guess what? That’s the cool part of the adult world. We do not need the ‘Same ol- same-ol.’ This is an exciting time for you because you should never want to be normal.

My kids and I applaud those children who chose to dress differently and live a different way of life, which gave them confidence. However, this pertains to those who treated others with kindness and respect.

Your future has started. How do you see yourself and what’s the end result? Today, start taking steps toward reaching positive goals of success, health and happiness.

Many high school graduates might be unsure of which direction to turn, and my best advice is to start internally. I promise if you begin with a healthy lifestyle, meet friendly people, then an opportunity will cross your path.

It is time to stop having fried foods and excessive sugars. You should start a new exercise program to help them see their life transforming. Your mind will think clearer, your body will fill with energy and your spirit will soar.

The adult path will have many challenges, but those experiences are important. You will get knocked down, blindsided and sucker punched, but get back up because those temporary setbacks will guide you to success.

I am almost 56 years old, and my tragedies help me become a better person, father and friend. Some situations hurt,  but it help me learn to love all mankind and myself.

Don’t ever give up on your story because what you strive to be is what you become. You have a purpose in life, and it is right outside the door waiting for you. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, ‘Alright world, look out because here I come.’

If you change yourself, then you’ll change the world.

Inspiration

Turn right for success

By David Tepera, May 24, 2017

For a lot of people, life is smoothly moving along with small worries. You and your spouse have a steady job, decent income, kid activities and school, along with weekend festivities and relaxation.

Life seems to be on cruise control, then out of nowhere, a crisis strikes. You’re forced to make an immediate left turn because life becomes disrupted. It could be a job loss, health issues, divorce or dreadfully the death of an immediate family member. Something that changes you and everyone around you lives forever.

These types of crises are typically out of your control and will take time to get back on the road to a quality of life again.

Now, there are many of us who are already living in a challenging world. Every day is a grind just to survive through all the responsibilities. Your life path isn’t running too smoothly because the road has many potholes. You’ve been traveling down that left turn way too long.

But know, just as terrible crises can strike, so can wonderful exciting miracles come into your life.

You can create these opportunities by giving the world your best. As long as you stay positive and keep moving, goodness will come your way, and life will take a right turn.

A dream job will cross your path, a perfect life partner will come into your life, you’ll defeat the health crises, and so on.

Of course, the easiest road to get back on is a healthier life. From this day forward, no more bad foods and bad habits. You’ve chosen to start an exercise program and take care of yourself to live a better quality of life. You must become your own role model.

You have to look at life as planting a seed. You buried it into soil to water and fertilize. Remember, the seed is starting to grow under the earth, but you can’t see it yet. It’s ready to sprout and reach the skies, but you gave up and stopped caring for it, so it dies. If you would had stayed on track and kept caring for it, then the seed would become a beautiful tree.

That seed is you. Don’t give up because your seed is ready to sprout and take your life on the best journey possible.

Now, take control of your life and make a right turn to success.

Inspiration

What’s your power play?

 By David Tepera, March 10, 2017

If you’re not familiar with the term “power-play,” it’s when one team has player advantage for a period of time because the other team has players in the penalty box. Of course, this means one team has more players in the game than the other. It’s during this time that a team must be more aggressive to score. The most popular known sports with this type of player offsets are ice hockey and water polo.

All teams strategize a series of power plays in order to take advantage and score as much as possible before the penalty time is over.

So, how do we apply power plays into our lives? Actually, many people are doing this and might not realize it.

Mental power is a great example. There are many high school graduates taking off for college hoping for an education that will lead to successful, powerful jobs. Some will — some won’t.

But, I think we can all agree that knowledge is the greatest power one can possess. This doesn’t always have to be through academic education because hands-on experience is at the top of the list.

Now, what happens when you utilize your mental power? You move up in your company with promotions and pay raises. You are put into more powerful positions with critical decision making and leadership roles. Or, you utilize a power play to start your own business or brand.

One power play we all have control of is physical power. Everything you do to your body is by choice. You can be lazy, undisciplined with loads of bad habits, or treat your body with healthier demanding choices.

Admit it, when we see people with athletic body types, we not only see beauty, but also discipline, confidence and power. It doesn’t matter, sex, race or age, if you project an athletic body, along with confidence, then you own the room.

I take my daughter Daylyn to school most mornings. We both use that time as an opportunity to uplift each other. Each day, we both face stresses of school and work, but choose to stay positive and find the good in each situation. It’s become our power play.

So now, throw your shoulders back, lift your head up high, give this world your best power play and make each day amazing.

Inspiration

I choose to be extraordinary

By DAVID TEPERA,  April 12, 2017

If you’re an ordinary person, then you’ll have an ordinary life. Just the typical daily grind of a boring occupation, monthly bills, along with simple common recreation. You’ll never really face defeat or more importantly — huge success.

For you, life is as simple as it gets. And, that’s probably fine because you’d rather not step out of your comfort zone and worry about what people think of you.

Keep in mind, ordinary workers can be replaced. Ordinary athletes are a dime a dozen. Sorry, but ordinary is a life without purpose.

Recently, I was sitting amongst some successful friends sharing our troubled paths and the importance of a mindset to overcome them.

You see, we all agreed that we never wanted to be ordinary. We understood that doors will slam in your face, people will call you names and tell you that your ideas are ridiculous. Others will do their best to deflate your ambitions because they haven’t accomplished anything worthwhile themselves.

Yes, these are harsh statements, but it’s reality. Excuses are way overrated and gets you nowhere.

Let today be the day you choose not to be ordinary anymore. All it takes is a new mindset. Learn to pump up your psychic while looking in the mirror to mean-mug yourself. Say out loud “that’s it, there’s no ordinary in this body anymore. From now on, I’m extraordinary, and I’m going out in this world and kick some butt.”

The definition of extraordinary is to go above and beyond what is expected.

For athletes, you’ll step up your game to get the attention of coaches. You might not be the fastest in drills, but you’ll be the first in line. Learn to sprint to each drill. When coaches huddle players, be up front, eyes wide open and fixed on every word a coach says. Followed by “yes sir” or “yes ma’am.”

As adults, we are all different in so many ways, but to reach extraordinary is to improve diet and exercise. That alone will change every aspect of your life. Getting in better shape builds confidence to conquer. You’re in competition with yourself, so win the day.

It’s your life. Admit it, you don’t want to be ordinary. Break the chains weighing you down. Put on your superhero costume and soar through life with a mission to fly to the top.

Inspiration

For the love of the game

David Tepera – March 1, 2017

For those of you who’d played sports when you were young, do you remember how much you loved the game?

Even though I played multiple sports in my youth, I had a passion for basketball. I think I gravitated more toward basketball because it’s a sport you can play and practice by yourself.

Typically, most other sports like football and baseball require a partner. So, it was easy to pick up a basketball and start playing. My dad set up a wooden backboard nailed to the roof, just like most houses during my era. I would be out in the driveway for hours.

Once I was older, martial arts became my passion.

OK, let’s look back and remember the process most of us shared for the love of the game. The steps are: you became interested — infatuated — loved it — routine — burn out — lose interest — walk away.

Now, how many of you just thought about your relationship or marriage? According to statistics, this happens to almost 60 percent of married couples.

Why can’t we recognize this process and change it back to the infatuated love once shared?

Look at your partner and remember what attracted you to them. There was something unique and special that caught your eye and made the heart skip a beat.

Take a realistic look at yourself. Maybe it’s time for you get back in the game. Remember how you would go out of your way to show this person how much you were falling in love?

Get out of your old routine, show some romance and be frisky and daring again. Make a surprise date night and do something you both used to love. Maybe it’s time to dress up and go dancing. There’s nothing better than shining your belt buckle on the dance floor.

It’s no secret, dancing gets the juices flowing and sets up the late night rendezvous. Wink, wink. You know what excites your partner, so do it.

Now, it’s time to get back to the love for the game. It’s in you, so get moving and put your plan together, you sexy rascal. And by the way, you’re welcome.

Inspiration

Historically, it’s who we are

By DAVID TEPERA, February 22, 2017

Out of all these situations, I’ve noticed a common statement from these coaches when being interviewed.

They are asked, “Coach, this team has never had a winning season. What changed and turned it around this year?”

Coaches reply, “Not only this team, but this school and the whole town has never been part of a winning season. Historically, losing is what’s expected each year. These players had to learn to believe in themselves and each other to change history.”

Now, the impactful word that empowers me is “historically.”

How many of you have developed bad habits because, historically, you feel it’s part of your family bloodline?

How many people think only rich kids become wealthy? Just because everyone in your family is obese and lazy, doesn’t mean that’s your destiny.

Where will this historically destructive pattern cease? Who is going to believe in themselves and realize the only person preventing success is in the mirror?

A better life is waiting right outside your front door.

That’s it. No more excuses. I’m getting off this “excuse” couch to change not only my life, but also my family.

You had no control of your childhood, neighborhood or schools attended, but you have control of your adult life. You’ve put a plan in place and set goals to reach success beyond dreams. Each day you take a step closer to better finances, healthier lifestyle, quality relationships, along with being a better role model for your children.

In the future years, when your relatives look back over the family tree, it will be your name that created the foundation for everyone’s success. It was you that fed and watered the roots which produced much fruit.

Today is the beginning of which your family will say, “Historically, we always find a way to conquer adversity and come out winners. It’s who we are.”

Inspiration

Are you ready?

By DAVID TEPERA – February 15, 2017

How about in sports? How many times have we seen a starting player get hurt or pulled from a game and the second-string player needs to step in?

If you are a Houston Texans football fan, over the past few years, we’ve seen this happen many times with quarterbacks. From 2002 to the 2016 season, Houston Texans used 14 different quarterbacks. This is more than any other team in the league. Plus, I think most people are hoping for a new quarterback this coming year.

What happens if a job promotion becomes available with your company? Have you been doing your homework, acting and treating other co-workers as a professional? Are you the person they want to hand over the new responsibility? If you’re ready, then how much more income could this produce?

This might be meaningless to most people, but I teach my kids to keep our house “company ready.” There is nothing more embarrassing than to have an unexpected guest, and your house is a complete mess. My house is always ready for the unexpected, except my daughter’s bedroom. I’m not sure, but I think that’s a female thing. You ladies have a lot of stuff.

A scary, but understandable, statistic is that most Americans don’t have at least $1,000 in savings. All experts agree that we should have enough savings to cover six months worth of bills.

Do you have an emergency funds account? I know we are all scared to lose a job, have unexpected vehicle expenses or a serious medical issue.

Today is the time to re-evaluate your life. What steps do you need to make in order to be ready?

Let others point the finger for their downfalls. You’re better than that. Take ownership for your faults, learn from mistakes, and keep grinding forward.

Practice your craft like you’re the starting player. Develop the character needed at work to prove you’re worthy of promotions. Be the role model for your kids in order for them to learn leadership skills.

You have complete control of your life, so be ready. It’s coming.

Inspiration

Mastering free throws is critical

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 

Free throws are one of the most critical components of a basketball game. Close games are won or lost through free throws.

Usually every basketball practice requires players to work on their craft. If you ever pay close attention to the free throw shooter, you’ll notice each player has a ritual before taking the shot. It’s important for them to repeat the feel of the shot in order to be successful.

All teams are aware which players have the highest and lowest percentage of free throw shooting.

Sometimes, when the game is close with time running out, teams will foul the player with the lowest percentage, hoping to get the ball back without being scored on.

So, obviously, there’s a lot of pressure to be a good free throw shooter. Your skill is critical for the ultimate outcome.

There are many of you with occupations that require critical precision. Think about welders and electricians whose skills can be life or death situations. They must master their craft or it could be a catastrophe.

You could say the same about surgeons, space engineers, pilots, refinery workers and so on.

Sometimes we forget how critical our daily decisions are in order to maintain a quality of life.

We must be dependable employees, supportive spouses, firm — but loving — parents, plus be kind and helpful to others.

Today, you’ll be out in this world interacting with people. Are you the person you would want to be associated with? Do you lift spirits or tear them down?

I know people who look at each day as another day closer to death. They try to pull others into their misery. Not me, see ya later. I choose happiness, and so should you.

What decisions will you make today that’s crucial for you and family?

No matter what challenges my children had faced the day before, I make sure each morning, before they go to school, they know how much daddy loves them.

We all have important situations in our daily lives that require critical decisions. Master your craft and be the person everyone can count on to win the game.

Inspiration

No hurdle too high

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 

At some point in time, we’ve all watched a track and field competition. One of my favorite events is the 100-meter hurdles. Actually, for men it’s 110 meters and women hurdle 100 meters.

Depending on what level of competition, most hurdles are spaced anywhere from 6 to 9 meters apart. For a 100-meter dash, there are 10 hurdles to overcome.

These athletes train for running precision, hurdle clearance and utilizing their body’s energy sources.

Admit it, as we watch the hurdle event, we’re all looking for the runner who crashes into one of the hurdles. Notice, when there is a bad spill, the hurdler will still get up and finish the race, along with sometimes bloody knees, hands and elbows.

Some runners clip the top of hurdles which slows them down, but they keep sprinting as fast as possible.

I’ve ran the hurdles in the past as part of my triathlon training program, and it’s really challenging to clear the last few jumps. Even though I would finish sluggish and exhausted, I was proud to complete the task.

Think of the track as your life span. You’re running down the path trying to stay on course, and then life throws a hurdle in front of you.

You are either well prepared to leap over toward victory, or it trips you up. And yes, sometimes the life hurdle will make you crash and burn.

But, we must take on the same mentality as elite hurdlers. There’s no time to walk off the track and give up. We must all jump back up and stay in the race.

Just like the runner’s energy is depleting with each hurdle, you must dig a little deeper to accomplish victory.

One of the worst life hurdles to encounter is a personal health crisis. Depending on the diagnosis, it’s possible you’ll get knocked down. But, don’t let that keep you down. Get back up and keep moving.

If you just lie there hopeless, then you’ll lose the race. There’s no time for self pity. Accept there’s a temporary setback and get back on course.

I’m not just talking about physical movement, you must mentally keep moving as well. When you keep moving, along with a positive attitude, the crises will start to fade. Overwhelming your mind with positive thoughts won’t allow negative thoughts into their space. Make sense?

So now, no matter what hurdle life puts in your path, take that situation to strengthen your character. With each hurdle you defeat, you’ll become stronger, wiser and, hopefully, more loving.

Inspiration

Use ‘fast break’ to score in life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 

If you’re not familiar with the term “fast break” in basketball, it’s when the offense moves the ball up the court as quick as possible to score before the other team’s defense can set up. This is usually done with one or two passes.

Before the fast break originated, the team that was scored on would sulk and take their time in-bounding the ball while the other team was celebrating their score. Plus, it gave the fans time to scream and yell at the opponents.

Once teams started using the fast break, it was catching defensive players off-guard and quieting the fans.

It’s really embarrassing to be celebrating while the other team scored right back at you. It’s kind of like, “in your face, chump.”

You know, sometimes life will score on you, too. But, instead of whining and licking your wounds, you must react quickly to counteract the situation.

You might have just lost your job, and now you’re scared due to financial insecurity. This situation is critical, so you must fast break to new employment.

Yes, you can be upset and play the blame game, but immediately update your resume and get moving.

Remember, even when you obtain another job, it may take up to another month before you receive your first paycheck. Obviously, a fast break is crucial in order to pay your bills that are piling up.

Years ago, a friend of mine, who I’ll call “Connie,” lived along the Gulf Coast. She had lost her job in the hotel and restaurant business. Connie wasn’t in any hurry to find another job because, according to her, there’s tons of opportunity in that business.

Well, after about a month without income, Connie started applying, but every hotel had filled their positions. Now, she was in panic and confused on what to do next.

You see, Connie lost her job in May when all coastal hotels and restaurants were hiring for the coming summer tourist season. If she would have started a fast break, then unemployment wouldn’t be an issue.

A comedian once said, “I have enough money to last a lifetime. I just need to die next week.”

Today is your wake-up call. Tie up your sneakers, put a game plan together, and fast break down the court for a life winning slam dunk.