(Part 7) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 Rumor has it, Brett Favre is back. I’m ’bout to have a lol attack. What’s he trying to prove? Vikings have nothing to lose. Coach wanted him to return. Favre hoping to not get burned. Teammates made offer he couldn’t refuse. As a free agent it’s his to choose. Why’s Favre still in demand?

A question for pros and regular Joes. Performing above the status quo. On the job where things get boring. On the field where talent keeps scoring. Favre brings a certain presence in the game. The players still believe in his name. Says more about the coaching staff as well. Makes it an easier sell.

Retirement comes sooner for pros. Even later for working Joes. But Favre remains in it to win it. Like bringing passion to building widgets. Playing smarter, not just harder. Staying healthy, getting wealthy. Reinventing his game for new acclaim. Making rookies wonder and veterans ponder.

So what’s the real deal? On Favre coming back as the man of steel. He got paid. With millions to be made. He had ankle surgery. To regain his mobility. With Favre it’s like magic. The way he turns botched plays from being tragic. All in the possibilities. Seeing dreams turned to realities.

Some see him as a jerk. Others feel it’s all in a day’s work. The way you hustle and flow. And put on a dazzling show. Keep on keeping on. From dusk ‘til dawn. Favre might seem to be a mystery. But his name will go down in history. As one of the oldest record holders. Showing how to live bolder.

Tip: 40 is the new 20 when passion to win flows plenty.

Talkback: What’s it going to take for Favre to lead the Vikings to the Superbowl?

(Part 6) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 The game for bragging rights. New York vs. New York. Jets vs. Giants. Squared-off in a pre-season match-up. With the Giants coming out on top. Looking like they’ll be tough to stop. A preview of things to come? Some new stars on the horizon. And veteran careers on the rising.

No Darrelle Rivas yet. LaDainian Tomlinson showed no sweat. Having been traded from the Chargers. Hoping to win a Superbowl sooner than later. Dream big but start small. That’s what it says to us all. Gotta shoot for reaching the big game. It’s every player’s road to ‘nuff fame.

Eli Manning gets injured. Not wanting to point the finger. A botched play ruffles his feathers. Limited playing time for the regulars. Pre-season’s a time to work hard. For those trying to make the scorecard. Victor Cruz might have earned a spot. Playing with passion that shows he’s hot.  

New stadium for teams to share. Soon there’ll be fireworks bursting in air. Hoping things come together. No matter the weather. Fans paying for season tickets. Just loving the atmosphere and whatever. Watching Mark Sanchez getting better and having fun. Under the lights or afternoon sun.

No-names becoming big-names. Rookies becoming regulars. All in a day’s journey. On the gridiron or real life story. As seen on TV. As seen in New York. There’s room for you. To achieve a breakthrough. Take your dream and make it. Even if at first you have to fake it.

Tip: Some careers take grit, others take wit. But success in any field is doing whatever it takes to be a hit.

Talkback: (How ’bout them Giants?) What’s it going to take for the Jets to get Rivas back before the season kickoff?

(Part 5) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 Tiger Woods lost his game. He’s trying to clean-up his name. Usian Bolt got beat. Tyson Gay wins at recent track meet. JetBlue flight attendant loses his cool. Friends on Facebook don’t think he’s a fool. Woods and Bolt take time-off. Flight attendant has timeout. Need to get their groove back.

Maybe they should check with Stella. Who got hers back in Jamaica. Fun and jokes aside. They might have to swallow their pride. Woods hasn’t won since his return. Bolt skips out on money he could earn. It will take a new and improved focus. More than just wishful thinking or hocus pocus.

Athletes can experience burnout. Happens to working professionals too. Yes, they’re trying to re-group. Bolt may be sipping on chicken soup. Setbacks will cause disappointment. Layoffs may affect your deportment. But a comeback is on the way. In the fight of your life? Win again someday.

Bolt’s been checked out by the Doctors. Back injury has him sidelined ‘til December. Woods still meeting with lawyers. To settle the divorce orders. When all is said and done. Both can return to form at #1. Some jobs are for the skillfully swift. But victory is for all those who reach the finish.

Sometimes life brings a wake-up call. To take action and not stall. Starting a business. Living your dream. Finding yourself on a winning team. Sick and tired of the job or boss? Need a makeover at all cost? Start to envision a new you. Build on your accomplishments with follow-thru. 

Tip: Getting your groove back takes having an eye on the future and then looking back.

Talkback: Has anything on the job (stress, burnout, the boss) ever caused you to “lose it?”

(Part 4) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 Stuck on 599. That’s the A-Rod latest. As he tries to land among the greatest. Hitting 600 homeruns or more. Only six others have reached that score. What’s it going to take? For him to roundtrip the plate. Maybe Tony Robbins knows a thing or two. For how to have a breakthrough.

A goal is something to shoot for. A dream in your heart into which you pour. Everybody’s got something they can work on. Whether personal or in your profession. A-rod is knocking at the door. Only needs to hit one more. Robbins says breakthroughs are hard to plan. Just use what’s in your hand.

For A-Rod that might be the bat. For others it’s not as simple as that. Robbins should know plenty. About having a strategy. For reaching your destiny. Make that move. Get in the groove. Show what you know. Raise your energy and flow. Let it come to you. Be ready for something new.

Success is a process. Not just how you dress. Gotta work at it. Knowing that it might not come quick. How does the breakthrough happen? By not being satisfied. With the status quo. Oprah might say. It’s in how you press your way. To landing your own show. Turning doubt into “getup-and-go.”

A-Rod’s hoping to shake bad press. Moving beyond the steroid mess. Robbins hoping people get to see. Who is the inner me. What about you? Starting now. With the what and the how. For getting past the past. Feeling free at last. Shaking up your lifestyle. To being wicked and wild.

Tip: There’s nothing like a good jolt that gets your career or business running like Usain Bolt.

Talkback: Was there ever a time you felt stuck? How did you get unstuck?

(Part 3) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 T.O. and Donovan McNabb back on the same team? Must be a freakin’ dream. Cincinatti Bengals have taken interest. Ochocinco probably thinks it’s no contest. As seen on Spike TV. NFL pros bring their mojo. On the b-ball court also. Showing crossover skills. Giving fans new and exciting thrills.

Staying employed as a Joe or pro. Players in their prime. Knowing that it’s a matter of time. Before the window closes. On their Superbowl chances. Looking to add starpower. On a team that’s ready for the hour. Bringing experience and showmanship. Winning the ultimate championship.

Try not to lose a step. Maybe even your motivation and pep. Work on your staying-power. Boost your inner horsepower. Hang around those who are young. If you want to remain strong. Playing on the same team (or company) is not a surety. Reinvent yourself for career longevity. 

When all else fails. Passion will blow the sails. Find your true calling that’s poppin’. Make your game fun to win. Let it be the wind beneath your wings. Passion is like lovepower. You win or lose, but remembered forever. Oprah says your best life awaits. So let’s not sit for the pearly gates.

Reality TV stars in the off-season. Primetime players who some fear like poison. Their day job gets them in the game. Their play job gets them even more fame. Their dream job is the sum of the same. Not always in luck. Vying to make more bucks. The life of pros and Joes. Worth staying on their toes.

Tip: Pros show the everyday Joes how to position our skills and talents where the marketplace needs us.

Talkback: Will T.O. ever win a Superbowl or is his presence and play only good for ratings?

(Part 2) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 Was Steinbrenner the boss fans loved to hate? Putting lots of expectation. On a manager’s plate. Derek Jeter might take issue. Saying ‘George, we’re gonna miss you.’ Team owner like no other. Close to some like a brother. Showing different sides of being the boss. Winning at all cost.

As seen in business. When working with the crew. Someone jumps ship. Or rattles workplace friendship. The boss steps in. Making sure no one’s teeth gets bashed in. Steinbrenner brought personality. And a media profile too. Loved by many. Occupying the limelight. With much scrutiny.

Maybe hated by others. When he was too pre-occupied. With his name in lights. The boss ran things. Hiring and firing day or night. But it’s his passion that made things run. Gotta love what you do. For dreams to come true. He had passion like sugar. Making the wins much sweeter.

Signing big money contracts. With players like A-rod. Scoring team-winning highlights. That’s fit for your ipod. Moving the Yankees from the lows in rank. To loads of money in the bank. Winning multiple pennants. Repeating as pro baseball champs. Now that’s a player’s paradise!

The boss had good days and bad. Sometimes got people mad. But he made the game better. For rookies under pressure. And rising star go-getters. Even those under-performers. Who would have been written-off as failures. Many will remember. How this boss changed their life forever.

Tip: A good boss or leader is one who earns your respect, for better or worse and even from worst to better.

Talkback: Was there a boss, mentor or peer in your career that changed your life forever?

(Part 1) Empower Your Summer: Like The Pros Who Raise Their Game and Reach New Fame.

 Rev. Jesse Jackson turned up the heat. On Lebron heading to the Miami suite. Following the comments from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Jackson feels Gilbert showed a slave-master mentality. Sports and race. Moving at a fast pace. Lebron’s decision wasn’t easy. Less about betrayal. More about business.

It’s how free agents roll. Shopping around for a new team. In a city to live his dream. Using a business mindset. To find new fans/believers. As a professional jetsetter. James needed a change. Good place for him to start. To empower his game. And not be stuck. In the same old same.

The reaction was brutal. But the decision was crucial. James wants to add championships. To the Miami Heat ownership. Can’t do it alone. Before he’s dead and gone. Looking to Wade and Bosh. To help create a winning combination. That might be the ticket. To a confetti celebration.

Will Lebron’s brand take a hit? Let’s hope Dan Gilbert’s gotten over his fit. True, James taking less money. Treated by supporters funny. But his brand has more options in diversity. As the NBA goes global. Miami’s filled with culture. Lots of Spanish, African and Caribbean folks around the corner.

So Lebron, don’t believe the hype. A career move is not a death sentence. Starting anew, whether young or old. Is not wishful thinking. You went from high school to the pros. Because you’ve got madd skills. Now going from the Cavs to the Heat. Hoping to win big. In your new pro team gig.

Tip: Success on and off the court takes teamwork to make your dream work. 

Talkback: Can the Cavs without Lebron win an NBA title before the Heat with Lebron?

 What do Leno and Oprah have in common? Reinventing their careers. Oprah leaving her show. Leno returns to his late-night spot. Layoffs, makeovers and comebacks. Starting anew can be a daunting move. More like a soul-searching journey of personal discovery.

Sometimes it’s changing jobs. Shifting careers. Connecting vocation with occupation. Advance your education. Start a business. Take a sabbatical. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. A stronger command for skills and talents. Knowing what matters most. In personal and professional goals.

A leap of faith? Or at least some calculated risks. Involves visioning. Looking at yourself in the way that you could be. Taking the steps to become what you should be. Keep it moving. From visioning to building to networking to living. A sense of satisfaction. Happens when you dine out.

Menu of appetizers, entrées and desserts. Each entrée has a main dish. Chicken or beef or pork or fish. Supported by rice or other sides. Good looking food on plate. Service is on point. A ‘new and improved’ career outlook. As in an appealing entrée. Built around your main skill, attribute or market appeal.

Your ‘main thing’ with ‘professional sides.’ Different options for getting paid and being fulfilled. Career lines-up with a sense of purpose. More passion on the job. Feels like a better job match. Makes you good at what you do. And good at serving-up the best you. So go enjoy life desserts!

Hip Tip: A career setback might not be your fault, but it could be the reason or season to pursue the best in you.

Blog Talkback: Does it seem like celebrities have an easier time at reinventing their careers?

 The top ten countdown is on! For naming the next American Idol. Going from an unknown. Touring around town. As seen on Celebrity Apprentice. Celebs get to makeover their careers. How ’bout Dancing With The Stars? Three reality show favorites. Where ‘new and improved’ stars are born.

How do their dreams get made? By turning up the brilliance. 2000 watts of power. Becoming the attraction of the hour. Making life sing. Hitting the high notes. Letting the good times ring. A new phenomenon. After a winning run. On the Idol main stage. Getting better and better with age.

Gotta have enthusiasm. In how you strut-step-roll. Learning the ropes. Maintaining floor-control. All about the energy. In every dance move. Doing what it takes. To be in the groove. Building rapport. With those who keep score. A boss, partner or Facebook friend. Supporting you to the end.

Smile for the cameras. Even when there’s none around. Charisma goes a long way. Show some love. To the fans all-abound. Work it out. Without being fake. Keep it real. Know the deal. Manage the look and feel. Add some celebrity appeal. Success is in the sincerity. That is expressed magically.

The perfect venue. The not-so-perfect victory. To act like a star. And go far. Having the right spirit. Showcasing real talent. Delivering a positive attitude. Developing strong relationships. Star status rests on ability and popularity. So get your rewards. Diamonds, pearls and cash cards.

Hip Tip: The secret to becoming a star is in taking a chance on something greater than your own self-interest.

Blog Talkback: What’s the missing link or main difference between stars who are one-hit wonders and those who shine season after season?

 What makes people click? Maybe love at first sight. For two college sweethearts. Or a chance meeting. Between a couple geeks. Going out for a bite. After an industry event. Who later launch a business. As founding partners. That starts in a garage. Becoming a mega corporation.

Could it happen today? On social media platforms. Whether on Linkedin. For the professional types. Finding a connection. Adding a friend or follower. For online relationships to begin. On Facebook or Twitter engine. A friend of a friend. Wants to jump in. Linking pics and file sharing tricks.

Ramping up the communication. The building block of all media. Introducing your game. Spreading your name. Meeting perfect strangers. Coast to coast. From the least to the most. Turning a connection. Into a broader distribution. Looking to make money. For you and your honey.

The big picture. Major success through collaboration. Of diverse backgrounds and skills. On a team with ego-friendly stars. Recruiting the finest. Whose integrity is the highest. Applying a structure. That brings new order. Using nifty tools and fun rules. Better results at work or in school.

It’s how the pros get to #1. One relationship at a time. Starting with as little as a dime. Five, 10 then 15. Messages in your inbox. 20, 25, then 30. Friends or fans on base. 35, 40 then 45. More dollars from contacts and contracts. Serving a group. Soon you’re hotter than chicken soup.

Hip Tip: The quantity of relationship makes you popular. The quality of relationship makes you a superstar.

Blog Talkback: Does social media serve as a replacement or enhancement to good old-fashioned networking?