march madness

Scott Drew & Jordan Spieth on How to Reach Your Goal No Matter the Field of Dreams or Slumps & Bumps with Your Team

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The sports wire has been on fire! On the basketball court it’s due to the level of championship play. The men’s Final Four tournament lived-up to its billing. While Gonzaga didn’t come out on top, they gave the Baylor Bears everything they had. Bears Head coach Scott Drew is being hailed as a master in his lane.

Speaking of Masters, the annual pro golfing trip to Augusta won’t have Tiger Woods in the mix, who’s still recovering from his car accident. But it will have Jordan Spieth who’s coming off a recent tour win, after a 4-year winless streak. Spieth says his game has been off these past few years so he’s happy to be back.

Drew took the job of head coach almost two decades ago when Baylor’s men’s program was reeling from scandal. A player was killed by an ex-teammate. The coach at the time was cited for corruption issues around paying the tuition for a student. Drew applied for the job even though things looked bleak.

He approached the interview like he had nothing to lose. He might say that’s just one factor for him getting the job. He’d probably add that he shared a vision for the program’s turnaround. He wanted to move the culture in a new direction, as long as he had the time and support to flip the script.  

Fast forward to their recent wins and some might wonder how’d they do it? How did they get past the slumps and bumps in the road? How did they turn a period of bruising to now having the experience of cruising? They’d remember the long days and dark nights working at it with these things in mind:

  • Firsts

Spieth remembers the first time he put on the winner’s green jacket. He felt his game had hit the jackpot. But sometimes our ‘firsts’ can be beginner’s luck. So he’s been working at his game trying to recapture the grit and feeling of excitement like what Drew is feeling from winning his first national championship.  

  • Focus

Spieth took cues from the success he saw with Bill Belichick and the Patriots. During his first visit to their home stadium, he was struck by the commitment to preparation that was part of the team’s mystique. He’s been giving more attention to that not only as a player but also with his supporting golf team/staff.           

  • Faith

It’s been said that success comes with enjoying the journey just as much as the destination. For Drew it’s been quite a journey. In the early days of his tenure, athlete recruitment might have been a challenge. In trying to turn around a losing program, he ‘drew on’ something we probably all heard… to keep the faith.         

  • Family

This is Spieth’s first win as a husband, after getting married a few years ago. They both have reason to celebrate not just with their teams but also with their families. Spieth is grateful for how his wife hung in there during his game’s rough patch. For Drew it’s a generational family affair of “like father, like son.”       

In the “instant clout” world, it’s not normal for a coach to last that long with a college team, with mixed results. But Baylor gave Drew the room, space and time to deliver. Spieth says it’s true that his wife gave him the same. Now they’re riding on cloud nine and Spieth got back that smile.               

Tip: Destiny is sometimes where preparation takes you from beginner’s luck to pulling the big bucks.

Talkback: Is the Master anybody’s to win or can Spieth turn his recent win into a lucky charm?

Tracks: Rudimental Ft Major Lazer – Let Me Live – https://youtu.be/L08uxunfLi4

Katy Perry – Smile – https://youtu.be/vZA5heWazIQ

Dawn Staley and Lebron James: Fire-Brand Performers Who Push the Limits of Their Game and Help Light-up the Team Stats Frame

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So where are folks headed on spring break these days? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some travelled south to the warm weather of Florida. It’s always been the spring break capital for college students. This year with folks wanting to get past Covid restrictions, things have kinda gotten out of hand.  

Same time, the NCAA March Madness frenzy has landed in Indy! Yea, on the women’s side it’s in San Antonio. March Madness is also a place people go on spring break to raise their praise for breakout performances. Of course, there’s always the Cinderella team that busts up the brackets.

For those wondering or asked the question, Where do folks go to understand greatness? Well, we see it in the play of Lebron James and the eyes of coach Dawn Staley. James has had to sit-out a few games after a high-ankle sprain injury. He’s missing the chance of the Lakers being positioned for a playoff run.

Staley recently called out the NCAA for disparities in supporting women’s teams. After pics went viral on social media showing a less-than-stellar setup for their facilities, Staley wrote an open letter calling out the diss. Her take was the NCAA message of “togetherness and equality” was just marketing jargon.

James and Staley bring focus on issues of social justice. They’re admired by peers, players and the hometown posse for using their platform to spur reform. While they get attention for putting their names to causes, it’s also how they put passion on the line, reminding us of how greatness is tied to:          

  • Gifting

A proverb says, “a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him in front of great people.” Well, think of that in universal terms and you can see why James at his age is still performing at a high level and Staley has such impactful coaching. Your gifting when tied to passion makes you do stuff that folks can’t teach.  

  • Branding

James doesn’t only marvel us on the court, he also has his hands in biz ventures and social projects. His career track might have started out with basketball, but his branding has reached new heights in media, fashion, entertainment and sports. He recently became part owner in the Boston Red Sox franchise.          

  • Networking

A recent story on Staley shared how much her success has inspired other women to consider coaching. Plus, there’s a whole eco system of black women in particular who’re plugged-in to what Staley has done throughout her career as a player, recruiter and U.S. head coach for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.       

  • Collaborating

After events of social protest prompted by the George Floyd killing, James rallied an investment group to purchase the WNBA Atlanta Dream. While he’s not the main figure in the new ownership structure, he’s the main player that helped bring together a collaboration of interested parties to secure the deal.   

The “Cinderella Team” stories will get told throughout March Madness. You might even hear some players being described as ‘supernova athletes.’ There’s room to do something special on the court or in one’s career for those whose performance push the limits of their game and light-up the team stats frame.               

Tip: You create your own “Cinderella Story” by how you bring passion to the table in ways that maximize your gifting, branding, networking and collaborating.

Talkback: Did the NCAA miss the mark or drop the ball on the women’s facilities in March Madness?

Tracks: Usher – No Limit – https://youtu.be/3w0yqAdJ1iY

Khalid – Disclosure (Know Your Worth) – https://youtu.be/aEDULPGIwcg

Ciara, Oprah, Their First-Name Status and The Big Rollout to Leave a Mark on the Marketplace with a Big Payback

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Seems like the Spring season kicked-off with so many events for us to go all out. The March Madness frenzy is in full effect where fans get to raise the noise as teams raise their level of play. There was also a Michelle Obama sighting as she returned to her book tour to an arena fill with 18,000 guests.

Recording artist Ciara was in the house along with a few other big-time players in sports and showbiz. Not to be outdone, Oprah made a grand appearance at the Apple launch of their latest tech project. She says they’re partnering to leave the world a little bit smarter, kinder and better than they found it.

Ciara and Oprah with their first-name status and the big rollout, are looking to leave their mark on the marketplace. That’s not some new feeling/fad that’s got them pitching a ‘pie in the sky’ idea. It’s really them connecting with folks in ways that excite new ventures in technology along with hopes and dreams.

Outside of those times Ciara gets to shake, bounce and pop in music she’s giving talks to industry/sports groups on the challenges of life-role balance. Beyond those times Oprah gets to share content, impact culture and deliver entertainment, she’s big on spreading ‘aha moments’ to rev-up life.

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What we see with them points back to times they took a chance, made a shift, or set a goal to stretch them from where they were to where they could be. This latest effort with Apple is one Oprah is gushing about. It gives her another way to show that achieving fulfillment in career and life is in how we affect:

  1. The Game

This takes some passion. For Oprah it started with her doing the local news. Her passion was working in journalism. Then she made the shift to hosting her own talk show which changed the game as we knew it. Oprah and Ciara show that passion is in how we master the game and how we level-up the career field.

  1. The People

Most folks remember the Oprah show episode when she said these words: “you get a car, you get a car, err’body gets a car.” That was one of those moments where she did something special for the audience. She’s been doing that not only with financial gifts but also serving in ways guided by a sense of purpose.

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  1. The World

Ciara’s fans love her music and how she celebrates sexy. It sure lights-up the faces of many a guy and girl. Oprah says her calling is as a kind of teaching guru. That’s why she’s revamping her book club. She uses it to bring light to the world and maybe has a big payback by making God look good in the process.

  1. The Times

Along with her professional duties, Ciara is busy being a mom. She’s helping her kids get through their times-table so they can multiply faster. But Oprah chooses to multiply numbers faster with vision, passion and mission to affect millions. That’s how they and other major players affect the times and the ages.

Ciara and Oprah give us inspiring notes on how fulfillment means having our whole-self matter in the best ways possible. Not everybody gets to have first-name status in pop culture. But they do, maybe because they’re loved for what they represent and how they affect the game, the people, the world and the times.

Tip: There’s no greater sense of fulfillment from making a difference than how we bring love to affect the game, the people, the world and the times.

Talkback: Ready to get your game on, excite the people and impact the world for all times?

Tracks: Kirk Franklin – Love Theory – https://youtu.be/3aD8OK07iIY

Aloe Blacc – Wake Me Up – https://youtu.be/M_o6axAseak

Jordan Peele & Iyanla Vanzant Take Audiences on a ‘Sharp Turn, Best Life’ Ride that’s Filled with Ooh’s and Aah’s

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The countdown is underway for the next big events on the pop culture calendar. Some fans can’t wait for the NCAA March Madness team selection. Others are looking forward to the iHeartRadio Music Awards. But in the meantime there’s Jordan Peele and Iyanla Vanzant taking fans on a ‘sharp turn, best life’ ride.

For Peele it’s in the success of his movie Get Out which won at the Oscars for Best Original Screenplay. It’s the first time that’s happened for an African-American. The movie is part horror, part thriller and part comedy. It starts out with a car making a sharp turn on a local street as the plot unfolds.

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It was a different kind of March Madness in the season opener for Iyanla’s ‘reinvention show’ on OWN. Things didn’t work out the normal way where the guest accepts the chance to find a path towards their best life. Peele and Vanzant generally put their gifts to work on their first audience.. which is themselves.

They know the road to redemption or achieving aspirations usually starts on ‘Self Street.’ Oftentimes how we reach higher is an extension of our comfort with self. Peele and Vanzant turned what appeals/reveals to self as a formula for a successful movie or unscripted TV show that could have been counted out.

In a recent ‘Oprah at the Apollo’ interview Peele gave an inside look into the steps he took in moving his dreams in the right direction. Vanzant often shares hers by saying that she had to do the work to achieve the healing before her place of shining. Their first audience of success started out by taking:

  1. Preparation Steps

Before celebration there’s always preparation. That’s true whether planning a party or going after your dreams. Before becoming a computer engineer I took preparations steps in college. Before going after my dreams in business I took preparation steps as a novice-in-training. These steps help put us in the game.

  1. Production Steps

It’s been said that people can have beginners luck when playing a game for the first time. Things kinda come your way even without trying hard. Where beginners luck ends is where production steps begin. It can be a surprise to do things well the first time. But you build production value doing it again and again.

  1. Breakout Steps

We expect to eventually have breakout steps along the way. The ‘Get Out’ movie is a sort of breakout step for Peele after leaving his Comedy Central gig. Vanzant had her breakout step when she first hosted a daytime talk show. They’ve used breakout steps in taking a risk or setting out as a trailblazer.

  1. Comeback Steps

They’ve also shown they can turn setbacks into comebacks. It’s something we’re teaching our daughter who’s been dealing with a leg (hamstring) injury. Each time it seemed like she was ready to return to her sport she’s had to pull back. Comeback steps help us with raising our game and elevating our dreams.

The journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step. Whether we choose to walk, run or drive there can be lots of oohs and aahs on the ride. Steve Harvey reminds us that things might go south or get rough as part of God’s plan. But those who get back up keep things moving because they have dreams to celebrate.

Tip: The dream journey of a 1000 miles starts with preparation steps that might set us on a path as trailblazers taking breakout steps.

Talkback: Is it drama or trauma that makes things come alive in Get Out or on Vanzant’s TV show?

Tracks: Drake – God’s Plan – https://youtu.be/xpVfcZ0ZcFM

T.I. ft Chris Brown – Get Back Up – https://youtu.be/B9qZz-m6BL4

Oprah Winfrey & Michelle Obama Take Power Lunch & Power Crunch to Fun-Time Places #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny? (Or Just Fun!)

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (Old-School Flava)

These days many sports fans are glued to the screens and screams of NCAA March Madness. The upsets have been dropping top teams out the picture. But TV fans are happy to see that Oprah and Michelle are back on the scene. They’re taking power lunch and power crunch to fun-time places.

Obama recently appeared as-then First Lady on Master Chef Junior as she gave some ‘recipe for life’ advice to young chefs about “getting an education, doing their best and pushing themselves towards their highest self.” Her tips were like the kind a coach gives athletes before signing day or sweet-16 game time.

Formal education is one thing but Oprah and Michelle got game in bigger things too. They’ve achieved ‘firsts’ in ways that make you wanna cheer them in bursts. They might say it takes a mindset that puts purpose and passion in focus. Plus, the lifestyle they enjoy is related to the life shifts they employ.

Oprah’s busy re-kindling her acting chops. Her role in Greenleaf on OWN has her on the small screen. But it’s the work in her latest ‘justice project’ that’s getting attention. She plays a part in telling the story of Henrietta Lacks’ cancer battle and how her cells were used in future treatment without family consent.

Michelle’s been out taking spring walks with her dogs. She also took time for a power lunch with friends. Meanwhile Oprah might be doing her power crunch with her Weight Watchers drills. The combination of mindset, swag and celebration they bring help us see more good life options for not being the ‘lost ones.’

Groove-Track: Lauren Hill – Lost Ones – https://youtu.be/7siVSslHPMQ

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (New-School Flava)

Many fans glued to their TV sets. Watching to see about tourney bets. Screams and cheers all over the room. As star players dunk and zoom. Game upsets have teams dropping like flies. While others glad to see Oprah and Michelle’s styles. With timeout for a power lunch. And doing fun things after power crunch.

Obama as-then First Lady and wife. Giving Master Chef Junior a recipe for life. Advice to young’uns doing their best. Using education as springboard to pass the test. Pushing towards their highest self. So that nothing’s left on the shelf. Tips a coach might try to give. Before signing day or sweet-16 game they live.

Formal study is one thing you do. But they got game in bigger things too. Achieved high standard in a few ‘firsts.’ Makes you wanna cheer them in bursts. They might say put purpose and passion in the bag. This way your focus won’t lag. The kinda lifestyle they certainly enjoy. Related to the life shifts they employ.

Oprah busy rekindling acting chops. Her role on OWN’s Greenleaf a real pop. Like taking the small screen by storm. Where excellence is her norm. More to see in ‘justice project’ work. With public attention a fresh perk. Story of Henrietta Lacks’ cancer dare. And how her cells were used by others without care.

Michelle’s seen on recent spring walk. Her dogs on leash like a bean stalk. Power lunching with the gals. Oprah’s power crunches with Weight Watchers pals. Combo of mindset, passion and celebration. From their personal and professional creation. Helps us see good life options. On avoiding ‘lost ones’ positions.

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Tip: The combination of mindset and passion give us chances to celebrate more good life options.

Talkback: What do we learn from Oprah and Michelle about embracing those options?

Groove-Tracks: Pitbull ft Stephen Marley  – Options – https://youtu.be/xALCpLXcIYY

G-Easy & Kehlani – Good Life – https://youtu.be/FG9M0aEpJGE

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

1 Rule, 3 Roads: Mark Zuckerberg Takes us to Church on Next Level Dreams – #WUWECAST

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

“Over 1 billion served and counting!” That could easily have been the branding message shared by Mark Zuckerberg at a recent Q&A. Instead, he made news about his hiring practice. If he had to hire a direct report, it would be someone he would want to work for. That’s his one rule on building a Facebook team.

Almost sounds like the golden rule of ‘do unto others as you’d want done unto you.’ Zuckerberg took us to church without trying to take us to church. His point might relate to 1 rule, 3 roads for next-level dreams in business, sports and everyday living. It’s even how to ride the wave above and beyond March Madness.

As college basketball teams prep for the big dance, fans await some high-flying performances. Many pro players and regular jocks combine the desire of an athlete, skill of an artist and commitment like a Jehovah’s Witness. In getting to the final round it’s a battle of wills before wins and skills before thrills.

Zuckerberg’s not known to be hyper-religious, nor a gifted athlete. But he and most industry leaders travel 3 roads for achieving next-level dreams. It takes desire in having to ask or be asked. It takes skill from having to seek or be sought. It also takes commitment to keep knocking or be a knockout in the process.

Facebook has probably surpassed McDonalds as one of the world’s most widely known companies. Zuckerberg’s mission is to connect the world. That’s no small undertaking for him and his team. But with next-level breakthroughs the magic is somewhere between asking, seeking and knocking it out the box.

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

“Over 1 billion served and counting!” Could have been Zuckerberg’s message on branding. Taking Q&A on the Facebook Mystique. Meeting was packed corner to corner, geek to geek. To hire or not wasn’t a matter of score. Needs to be someone he’d work for. His one rule for building Facebook from the floor.

A kind of ‘golden rule’ ring to it. “Do to others as you’d,” said the prophet. Zuckerberg took us to church without trying. Wasn’t even about him inspiring. A point of 1 rule, 3 roads for next-level dreams. In biz, sports and money streams. Beyond fast-break of March Madness. And muscle-ache of game readiness.

As hoop teams prep for the big dance. Fans await the best high-flying performance. Desire, skill and commitment of many pros. With athletes, artists and regular joes. Getting to final round a battle of wills. As the wins come so too the showcase of skills. Not to mention a record-breaking series of thrills.

Zuckerberg not known to be religious or hyper. Nor as a gifted athlete much less pauper. He and most biz icons have travelled. Along 3 roads to next-level dreams unraveled. Takes desire to ask or be asked. Skill to seek or be sought. Commitment to knock or be a knockout. Can help to raise many an industry clout.

Facebook ahead of McDonalds in being widely known. That’s just how fast the company has grown. Connecting the world is Zuckerberg’s mission. That’s no small undertaking or team vision. Next-level breaks by being “cunning-ham” like a fox. Magic between asking, seeking and knocking it out the box.

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Tip: With next-level breaks the magic is somewhere between asking, seeking and being a knockout.
Talkback: Which sounds like Zuckerberg’s story: ask or be asked, seek or be sought, knock or be a knockout?
Groove-Tracks: Hozier – ‘Take me to church’ – http://youtu.be/Byeg1LMu5mM


Black Violin – ‘A Flat’ –   http://youtu.be/gEIVzWCRSg8

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST