​Have you ever coordinated a grand event like a spectacular wedding, a work-related convention, or a large regional conference? Such an event takes massive planning, tremendous work… and, in the end, sometimes it takes sheer willpower and a whole lot of negotiating the right way with the right people to get the job done the way you had originally planned.  
 
In any event (pun intended), regardless of what happens – or what doesn’t happen – masterminding a major event requires an overall sense of commitment, communication, and above all, an expert ability to be able to focus on the issues at hand… while maintaining the flexibility to change your point of view, depending on the plan, the problem, and the people.
 
In today’s Dare, I offer one word: STOP. 
 
Actually, it’s more of an acronym.
 
For most people, the word “stop” simply means to cease the particular activity, or to halt and discontinue all operations. The three-word title of the previous dare was “Choose ONE Battle.” And the main point of that dare implied an almost fatalistic mentality. In fact, I wrapped up the dare with an allegory of a war within. 
 
And, if victory over self is our planned destination...
 
“We are where we need to be, when we need to be there. We’ll get there when we get there.”
 
To be sure, those statements are true. However, they are far from fatalistic.
 
And yet, I am amazed at the number of people who get angry while driving along the highway.
 
It’s not just their anger, it’s the conversations I hear later. I have heard people jump to a few startling conclusions when it comes to who they THINK is driving the vehicle in front of them on our community roads and highways. 
 
Never mind the judgmental overtones and underhanded remarks; what strikes me most is the sheer lunacy of “predicting” who the person is in the other car.
 
If it’s a Lexus; the driver must be a rich snob. If it’s an eight-year-old SUV, she must be (fill in a description here). If it’s a gold Ford Pinto… so she is probably (blah, blah, blah).
 
I’ve actually overheard remarks like this at restaurants, cafés, car washes, and many places in between. Worse yet, on top of the judgmental stereotyping, road rage continues to be a problem across this country… including my beloved Aloha State. In fact, a few years ago, shots rang out on the main highway here in Hawaii; someone was angry enough to shoot another driver.
 
Wow.
 
As startling as this may sound, there are far worse things happening every day, right in your very own personal space. All too often, we think we know people. We look at them every day and surmise this and assume that. 
 
We use the power of deduction to engage in acts of reduction… reducing our fellow soul mates to mere suppositions, beliefs, guesses, theories, and little hops of speculation until we can make the full jump to a conclusion.  
 
But like the vehicles on your local highway, this path we ALL walk is a mere freeway of forces far beyond our initial sensorial assessments. 
 
Indeed, there is so much than that which meets our blinded eyes.
 
Our bodies are merely the vehicles our souls use to navigate this stony path along the mantle of the earth’s crust. And like the speed demons on the local highways, there will always be those people who cut you off in life. 
 
Some people do it on purpose, and some people simply do it by mistake.  
 
For some odd reason, we are most angered by those that do it on purpose. We can’t seem to understand why someone would do this or that to us (whatever this or that might be). Well, my friend, count your blessings if you can’t comprehend such behavior. 
 
Because if you could somehow understand their destructive behavior… you would likely be capable of doing the same thing.
 
As for those other people who slip into our lane accidentally, or those who should speed up while in the fast lane… just remember that we, too, have fallen short of perfection… and we always will. 
 
In fact, THIS, my friend, is the beauty of the highway of life: We are all going nowhere fast. But as fast as we try to get there… we will get there when we get there. If this sounds like mumbo jumbo, please bear with me for just a few more lines.
 
Continuing with this sensationalistic allegory… may I politely remind you that, when you are driving your car, truck, SUV, etc… no one else is driving your vehicle – only YOU.
 
Likewise, in these earthbound vehicles that we see of each other every day, no one else can control our respective vehicles (bodies). Actually, that last statement is not quite true; when driving your vehicle, there is actually a time when you can control the vehicle that belongs to someone else. In real-world terms, police call it a wreck… a collision… a clash… an accident.
 
Accidents do happen. 
 
But when you try to control someone else’s life; that’s no accident. 
 
Of course, we can usually think of 493 reasons why we want someone else to do X, Y, or Z. But to get you or me going in the right direction, other people are going to need many more reasons than that! 
 
So, what’s my point?
 
Answer: What’s your purpose?
 
Whenever you do something grand like coordinate a cool party, a spectacular wedding, a work-related convention, or a large regional conference, you usually have a very specific plan.
 
Interestingly, the same thing applies for the smaller tasks in life as well.  
 
For example, consider a trip to your local store.
 
When you get in and start your car, you usually know where you are going. And, as such, there is absolutely no doubt that you will get to your destination. Say, for instance, you are headed out to pick up a gallon of milk. There is no uncertainty regarding your successful arrival at your destination. But what happens when you glance at the gas gauge and see that your vehicle needs more fuel.

Does your milk-run terminate? 
 
I think not. 
 
Moreover, what if, say, eight more side-stops pop up along the way? 
 
Is the successful milk run in jeopardy yet? 
 
I think not.
 
I think you left your home with a purpose, and you will, indeed, get that gallon of milk.
 
Today, I offer you an idea regarding a Home you left a long time ago.
 
You popped into your vehicle, left Home, and started travelling along this road in life. Along the way, a few people cut you off here and there. In fact, some people have actually tried to run you off the road.  
 
And then there were those people who stopped to help you when you needed a lift. There were those who filled you up when you needed fuel for your soul. Alas, there were also those people who tailgated YOU when YOU were driving too slowly or too fast to even think of looking in the rear-view mirror.
 
Yes, for too long, many of us have been too busy driving, and too busy paying attention to traffic directors who really have no idea how to navigate the traffic around the soul that is within the vehicle that contains YOU.
 
Today, I want you to slow down. Slow... all... the... way... down... and…
 
S.T.O.P.
 
Invest time to ensure you can -
 
Stay… Totally… On… Purpose.
 
The question is: What is your purpose?
 
I am often saddened when I think of the enormous effort, daily determination, and literal life that many people impart TO their employers, giving so much of themselves to a cause that is not their own – and probably never will be.  
 
Bequeathing healthy years to a well-paying employer is not, in and of itself, a bad thing.
 
But when was the last time you gave yourself – your SELF- the same level of dedication you give your job, career, or source of income? For example:
 
- A concerted consistency, every day (rain or shine) 
- A deep depth of determination (I know I can do more if I get paid more)
- A serious sense of commitment (I’m in it for the long haul)
- A consistent clarity of communication (I PLAN to do; WILL do it; DID it ) 
- An expert ability to focus intently on issues that affect me, my self, and I.
 
As soon as you know your very own specific purpose, you will believe in it.  
 
And, as soon as you believe in it, you will live it.  
 
And as soon as you live it, those other “crazy” drivers will have absolutely no control over you.
 
As soon as you discover, define, and declare your purpose, you will be able to focus on the finish line – not just avoid the starting line.
 
So tell me:
 
Where IS the starting line? 
 
ANSWER: Right here, right now.
 
I dare you…
 
Write down your purpose…
 
…and then STOP.
 
Stay Totally On Purpose.
 
Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
============================
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​John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.

Principal consultant at The PIE Group, John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

​"There are certain realities in life, we only see through eyes that are cleansed with our tears." 
 
This is a (capital 'T') Truth that speaks to the one thing the world needs now more than ever.
 
…the one thing that there’s just too little of…
 
Empathy.
 
Sure lots and lots of L-O-V-E would be nice.
 
But, in reality, we already have far too much “love.”
 
We love our TV shows.
 
We love our smartphones.
 
We love our sports teams.
 
We love our favorite restaurants.
 
We love so many things that Love is not really love anymore.
 
We LIKE so many things that liking is not about liking it, but more about validating it.
 
We need empathy.
 
And for empathy to occur, we often need to cleanse our eyes with tears, drawn from our very own heart.
 
In fact, empathy is sorta kinda like inverse-judging.
 
We still judge.
 
But by our own internal standards and shared human experiences, we also relate.
 
And in the final analysis, that is the Ultimate Truth:
 
We are ALL related.
 
Same race;
 
Same place;
 
Same pace…
 
Human race.
 
Earthly place.
 
Crawl.
 
Walk.
 
Run.
 
Walk.
 
Crawl.
 
Ashes to ashes…
 
…dust to dust.

​~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
============================
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John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.

Principal consultant at The PIE Group, John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

In the previous post, I discussed your very own, very real superpowers.
 
In the realm of teens, twenty-somethings, and the tempestuous adult population, we sometimes have to call upon our superpowers to deal with the bullies of this world.
 
Unfortunately, bullying isn’t relegated to elementary school playgrounds, backyard fisticuffs, and rites of passage for people trying to make their way through this incredibly diverse world. Think about it...
 
Have you ever known a bully?
 
Have you ever been bullied? 
 
Have YOU ever been a bully?
 
I think I know the answer to the last question above... 
 
  Yes, you have been a bully.

Allow me to explain...
 
In today’s hyper-competitive world of big-ticket accomplishments, all too often, we march onward, upward… with little or no regard for the carnage littering our not-so-distant past.
 
As an optimization consultant, I am constantly amazed at the myopic nearsightedness of individuals and organizations as they pit one asset against another, all while seeking a “good” outcome.
 
This is especially true of the individual: you, he, she, and me. 
 
Whether you believe it or not, YOU are ostensibly the most important organization in the world. And, all too often, we sub-optimize our self to the point of internal conflict, deconstruction, and, ultimately, self-destruction.
 
That is to say that "We know we should or should not do" x, y, or z.  And yet, we do it anyways. This internal conflict ultimately sets up a battle of the assets that reside within us, raging a war of wits within the only person who truly knows who we are - our One True Self.
 
And trust me: war with yourself can be hell. 
 
As any experienced warfighter will tell you, depending on your respective experience, strategy, and tactics, winning or losing a battle can be a toss-up. 
 
But to win a war, you need a great logistics support structure; you need to plan for success... and prep the battlefield with the resources required to win not just this current battle, but also the next one... and the next one.
 
Moreover, in addition to fighting the current battles, you need to simultaneously feed the fighter(s), replenish the weaponry, and plan for the next success, all while strategically preparing to defeat the enemy... while facing the ever-present potential for defeat. These are not easily achieved tasks. In fact, planning for future success while fighting the fight can actually be a sub-optimized use of resources.  It's true. 
 
And if you take nothing else from this extended article, remember these two things:

1. In a sub-optimized organization, the organization itself is the enemy.
2. In the sub-optimized organism called “an individual,” you, your self, are the enemy.

 
In the short run, when we choose to look the other way when we see our simply bad or dangerous habits, we are actually bullying “our selves” into a deranged belief that we can somehow win the long war by ignoring our current internal battles. 
 
This line of bullied-self-thinking is ludicrousness; it's a type of sheer madness of self-inflicted wounds on a massive scale.  Yet, this madness often goes on internally... unseen... hidden... and harboring self-inflicted wounds far more nefarious than those dangers readily apparent in our external environment.
 
In a sub-optimized organization, the organization itself is the enemy.
 
Ultimately, this internal fight becomes not just **A** battle, but rather THEE battle, in and of itself.
 
Sooner or later, we are consumed by this fury within. 
 
Sadly, this hand-to-hand combat between “me, myself, and I” can never be won.
 
Oh… sure, we might win the battle of denial. But this "win" is a Pyrrhic victory, at best (a Pyrrhic victory is a "win" with such devastating costs that it is tantamount to defeat).
 
In order to win the battle and the war, we must see things for how they are; we must simplify this seemingly complicated mix of flesh, emotions, actions, influences, memories, dreams, goals, and apparent failures. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's not complicate things. In fact... let's do the opposite.
 
In general, life is simple.
 
In fact, when you actually stop and think about it, life is painfully simple.
 
The pain comes when we, our very own selves, complicate the simplicity of life.
 
What, then, shall we do?
 
What, then, CAN we do?
 
The answer: we must simply simplify.
 
Life is painfully simple.
 
Join me in this simple dare to simplify one specific area of your life.
 
Today, I dare you to...
 
    Choose ONE Battle ~ 
 
Choose ONE thing that you know you need to STOP… and win that battle by choosing to definitely stop that particular thing… today.  
 
Focus! 
 
Or… Choose ONE thing that you know you need to START… and win that battle by starting that particular thing… today. 
 
Dedicate your major reSOURCEs to this one singular effort!
 
Write that book!

Start that hobby!

Enroll in that class!

Start those exercises!

Begin your life-long dream!
 
Change your life – today.
 
If and when you choose to focus on ONE battle, you are much more likely to achieve a lasting victory.

And from there, you will have already won the war.  Which war?
 
...the war to become a better you.
 
If and when you select ONE battle on which to focus your energy, your effort, and your emotions...

1. Your chances of success immediately skyrocket;
2. Your odds of winning dramatically increase;
3. Your field of battle narrows to the point where YOU become...

• the expert on who you WERE;
• the specialist on who you ARE;
• and the authority on who you WILL BE. 

 
If you choose just ONE battle, you won't waste time and energy on complicated resolutions or a complex set of goals; you will see the forest AND the trees... one tree at a time.
 
Of course, accepting this dare requires a bit of a cost/benefit analysis. 
 
What are the potential consequences?
 
What are the probable costs?
 
Then again, what are the possible payoffs? 
 
Though I am not a medical doctor, I assure you, this dare and all of the subsequent dares have been tested and tried. And they are all safe to test and try again.
 
The payoff will be H U G E...
 
Go ahead... I dare you: 
 
Choose to start or stop ONE thing...
 
Choose ONE battle!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
============================
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============================ 

​John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.
 
He believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

Today, I dare you to be a hero.
 
Of course, if you are going to be a hero, you might as well be a SUPER hero.
 
And, in order to be a superhero, you need to first figure out your superpower.
 
Think this is cartoonish?
 
Well, truthfully, we are ALL given amazing talents and gifts. 
 
In reality, we could actually call these talents and gifts, “superpowers.” If you still don’t believe me, consider the woman who has the incredible gift of perceived physical beauty; what do we call her?  
 
Answer: Supermodel. And though she might not be able to jump from tall buildings, she owns an amazing amount of “power” as she traverses the world of fashion, beauty, and business. As she strikes a pose on the covers of magazines, she also strikes an incredible balance between “Look at me; I’m beautiful” and “You, too, can be like me (just use these beauty products).”
 
Consider phenomenally successful singers, actors, and sports figures; who are they?
 
Answer: Superstars. And though they might not be able to stop a speeding train, they have unbelievable influence over millions of people around the world. Madonna, Robert Downey Junior, and Tiger Woods are all the top-earning superstars in their respective fields of play. They have each brought in well over $100 million in earnings!
 
Perhaps more importantly, these superstars have an amazing degree of influence over their respective professions.  
 
Undoubtedly, Madonna set the stage for many of today’s super acts (Lady GaGa, for example, was, at one time, the top-earning singer under 30, earning an estimated $80 million per year)
 
Indeed, all these people can be described as a super-star. But are they superheroes?
 
Perhaps all supermodels and superstars are not superheroes. But they CAN be.
 
And so it is with you and me.
 
We CAN be superheroes. In fact, you ARE a superhero.
 
To unmask your powers, you just have to do two things:
 
1. Understand and see your talent as a gift and a superpower.
2. Have a little faith, and then use that (super) power for the overall good.
 
Now… All this sounds simple, easy, and (perhaps) silly. But it’s none of these.
 
It’s not simple, primarily because YOU are the one who has to choose to see your ability, and subsequently and continuously USE your ability as a gift and superpower. (Hmmm… with you as the enabler, I guess this is easier than I thought).
 
It’s not easy, primarily because YOU are the one who has to CHOOSE to have a little faith, and then subsequently use your power for the overall good of your organization. (Hey – wait! Again, with YOU as the decision-maker, it looks like this is actually an easy step!)
 
And finally, this is NOT just a silly ol’ dare.
 
This is life. And you ARE endowed with super powers.
 
And before you go off on me about my choice of superhero examples, please know that I selected them on purpose. 
 
I grew up listening to Madonna’s music. And like it or not, from her sugar-coated, bubble-gum pop tunes to her controversial religious-themed stuff, she struck a chord among millions of people. Is she perfect? Obviously not.
 
Robert Downey Junior has been in and out of prison so many times that I can barely stand using him as an example for this post. And yet, he has persevered through his imperfections. Ironically, he has made his greatest comeback while in the role of the superhero Ironman, which has grossed over $585 million in sales (that’s over half a billion dollars!)
 
And then there’s Tiger Woods. No man has done more for contemporary golf than Tiger Woods. He has single-handedly turned the challenging game of golf into a sport wildly popular among an entirely new set of demographics. And, despite his notorious imperfections as a flawed human being, Tiger still sits atop his game, and he is still THEE major influencer in golf.
 
Tiger’s career was once in shambles… not only because of his well-publicized divorce, but also because of a series of debilitating injuries and four back surgeries.  And yet, after all of those human-like experiences and qualities, the 42-year-old golf legend recently won the Tour Championship in the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake Golf Club. He finished 11-under for his first PGA Tour win since 2013.
 
Is Tiger a successful singer/song-writer?  Obviously not.
 
Is Tiger a beautiful supermodel, gifted with amazing physical beauty?  Obviously not.
 
Am I ever going to win the FedEx Cup, a Grammy, or a million-dollar contract to strut myself down the stage? Maybe… but probably not.
 
My super hero status is reflected in my ability to see and accept things for how they are, adapt accordingly, and then put together a plan to achieve what was previously thought to be impossible.
 
You, too, have this awesome ability to accept, adapt, and achieve.
 
And you, my friend, have other amazing qualities that perhaps only you know about.
 
As an employee, you have the (amazing) ability to complete an (amazing) team.
 
As a leader, you have the potential to integrate assets and take your team to levels previously thought impossible to achieve.
 
As a parent, you are the single most important influencer in your child’s life, regardless of your age – or your child's age.  In this regard, you literally have SUPER powers.  Use them for the betterment of your family team.
 
As a member of your local neighborhood and business community, you have the power, presence, and potential to change how things are.  You can also directly influence what will someday become the results of your efforts… but only **IF** you choose to use your (super) powers.
 
You see, in some seemingly weird “metaphysical” way, you and I are connected.  Whatever you do somehow affects me.  Likewise, my behavior and attitude somehow propagate across the world and affects others in a way that I will never comprehend.
 
On a local level, our effect on others is relatively easy to see and understand.
 
But many people don’t accept the idea that somehow, some way, we all affect one another.
 
But it's true.  
 
In fact, it’s a natural law… a law that cannot be broken.
 
But what happens when we fall short of our goals?
 
Like Superman and his weakness with kryptonite, what happens when our superpower status is affected by our own weaknesses?  What happens when, after we set our goals, we ultimately miss the mark?
 
Well, first of all, let’s understand that we ALL miss the mark at some time or another.
 
In other words, none of us are perfect.
 
In archery, one is said to “sin” when the arrow misses its intended mark – the very center of the target. Interestingly enough, in Greek mythology, as well as in scriptural writings, the word “sin” is also used.  In fact, the Hebrew word “hamartia” literally means “to miss the mark.” And in mythology and classical literature, hamartia and “sin” are used to denote tragic flaws that ultimately lead to a dramatic downfall.
 
But the tragic downfall doesn’t HAVE to happen.
 
Much like the airplane that sets out on a long-range journey, you and I must continuously check and reflect upon our progress towards our goals.  Equally important, we must then apply a course correction; we must get back “on track” to achieve what we have said we will do.
 
And like the archer who sins by missing the center mark, we must study ourselves and seek a full understanding of what we are currently doing that causes us to miss our intended mark.
 
Ironically, something as simple as breathing incorrectly can cause an archer’s arrow to veer significantly away from the intended target.  Likewise, incorporating a few deep-breathing, meditative exercises every morning as you review your goals can add significant power to your progress toward achieving the next best level of you. 
 
Please note: becoming a better you and increasing the likelihood of hitting your intended target has absolutely nothing to do with anyone else… it’s all about YOU understanding YOU.
 
Your super-hero status is reflected in your ability to see and accept things for how they are, adapt accordingly, and then put together a plan to achieve what was previously thought to be impossible.
 
So, what’s my point?

Today, I dare you to take a moment to understand and see YOUR talent as a gift, and then have a little faith to use your power for the overall good. Use YOUR self-described talent or gift to influence somebody or something.
 
Of course, accepting this dare requires a bit of a cost/benefit analysis.
 
What are the potential consequences?
 
What are the probable costs?
 
Then again, what are the possible payoffs?
 
Though I am not a medical doctor, I assure you, this dare and all of the subsequent dares have been tested and tried.  And they are all safe to test and try again.
 
The payoff will be H U G E...
 
Go ahead... I dare you:
 
           Be a hero.
 
As you set out to save the world, remember this little prayer:
 
  “Lord, please help me to forgive those who have sinned differently than I do.”
 
I dare you: Be a hero. 
 
In fact…
 
Be a SUPER Hero!

John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.
​
He believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers.  To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
​Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

​Namaste',
 
New week; new dare!

The previous dare was to "Say everything positive."
 
If you were able to achieve 100% success on that dare – that's AWEsome!
 
On the other hand, if (like me) you caught yourself being a little less-than-successful a time or two – that's great, too!  
 
Why?  
 
Awareness, in and of itself, is profoundly special. 
 
Moreover, “a mistake is not a mistake... as long as we learn from it... and stop doing it”

(Whatever IT might be).

Today's dare is similar has significantly different rewards.
 
Today, as you encounter people throughout your day, I dare you to be the first one to greet each other… and greet the other person in an abundantly positive manner.

Go ahead and gush if you want.  
 
Better yet, give them a big, toothy smile, and speak up nice and clear. I dare you to...
 
~ PROACTIVELY GREET EVERYONE POSITIVELY ~
 
Please note that, although very similar to the previous dare, this dare is definitely different.
 
The previous dare was all about the responses and exchanges with which you engage.
 
Today’s dare is all about proactively promoting positivity to a person…
 
 – EVERY person. 
 
You could go for the classical, “Good morning!”  
 
Or, perhaps you could try the “Beautiful day… isn’t it?”
 
Be careful; this dare is not meant to launch a deep dialogue (which is the reason, “How’s your day coming along?” might not garner an equally enthusiastic response).
 
Yes: Some people cause happiness wherever they go...
   Others cause happiness whenever they go.
 
And in today’s world, all too often, we hustle and bustle about our day, making eye contact with so many people, but rarely exchanging any additional energy. As an excuse, we have so many topics popping in, out, and around our heads.... and so many things to get done.
 
We are busy thinking about…
 
>> Plans for the week, people to see, meetings to make, calls to take… talking heads on TV, venomous voices on talk radio, this text, that email, and those last two hundred and twenty-two other things we have to get done by the end of the day. <<
 
And then there’s that person who, despite how busy or preoccupied he or she appears, looks right at you, smiles, and says, “Beautiful day… isn’t it?” 
 
Wow!  Imagine that!
 
Be THAT person!
 
Don’t wait for your neighbor, co-worker, family, friend, or foe to be the first person to speak.
 
Proactively promote a Positive Power by secretly bowing to the Divine Nature that exists somewhere within them... and definitely within you.  
 
Of course, accepting this dare requires a bit of a cost/benefit analysis.
 
What are the potential consequences?
 
What are the probable costs?
 
Then again, what are the possible payoffs?
 
Though I am not a medical doctor, I assure you, this dare and all of the subsequent dares have been tested and tried.  And they are all safe to test and try again.
 
The payoff will be H U G E...
 
Go ahead... I dare you:
 
Proactively greet everyone positively.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
============================
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============================ 
​

​John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.
​
He believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
​Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner:

​As seen in your recent news headlines, the fiscal New Year for the government of the United States of America began with a great deal of consternation.
 
And, though most of the press has focused on the sometimes-vitriolic communiqués and sound bites among the executive and legislative branches of government, I prefer to view the recent political maneuvers as “the price of democracy in action.”
 
Throughout our nation’s history, there has been a diverse universe of opinions and theories on how we, as a nation, should proceed to the next generation. And yes, sometimes those varied opinions are separated by deep chasms of disagreement.
 
Nonetheless, the wheels of disagreement often facilitate the best possible solution for all parties involved. This, too, shall pass, my friends.
 
Speaking of passing, how much time has passed since you took on a good dare?
 
Remember how it felt (as a teenager) when someone said, “I dare you”?
 
Well, today I encourage you to join me and others as we shift our focus from the news of the day to time of our lives:
 
Today, I extend to you a hearty, healthy “I dare you…” 
 
Over the next several weeks, I will provide these three little words each and every week. Following those three little words, I will provide one little dare for you, he, she, and me. 
 
To be sure, the dare will be challenging, but definitely achievable.
 
Remember: this is that special part of the year when we can truly start anew.
 
A new calendar…
 
A new frame of mind…
 
A new style of living…
 
And when we are provided a new framework on which we can construct a new mindset and a new lifestyle, things previously thought to be incredible are suddenly not only possible… but also probable and, dare I say it… inevitable.
 
And so it begins.
 
Beginning today, I dare you to…
 
                        ~ SAY EVERYTHING POSITIVE ~
 
Regardless of what anybody says to you about anything, respond with an uplifting, positive response.
 
Even if someone is deliberately trying to push your buttons, flip the script and say something... anything... as a positive response.
 
For example, when someone is being naughty, negative, or nasty, simply try one of the following responses:
 
“Life is good.”
 
“Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
 
“I like that watch you are wearing; do you mind if I take a closer look?”
 
One of the benefits of having a pre-planned response to negativism is that YOU get to manage the context of the conversation, the disposition of the conversation, and (best of all) the consequences of conversation.
 
Indeed, this a relatively simple dare.  And if you put forth even the tiniest amount of effort to succeed at this dare, it will have a significantly constructive and positive implication on this New Year of your life. 
 
Of course, accepting the challenge of a dare requires a bit of a cost/benefit analysis.
 
What are the potential consequences?
 
What are the probable costs?
 
Then again, what are the possible payoffs?
 
Though I am not a medical doctor, I assure you, the upcoming dares have all been tested and tried.  And they are all safe to test and try again.

And the payoff will be H U G E...

Go ahead... I dare you:

Say everything positive!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®
 
============================
Want the next dare delivered to your inbox?
Click here to join John's mailing list
============================ 

​John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist.
​
He believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need.  And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me).
 
Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}.
 
An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work!
 
An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, "The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life," a teen-focused guide, "Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens," and the Christian-based book, "God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life."
 
He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. 
 
​Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets.  His trademarked phrase is a winner: