Early this past Saturday morning, I watched my oldest son play his first high school football scrimmage of the season. Following the game, a group of parents provided breakfast for the players, their parents, siblings and friends. A fun experience, and an energetic start to the school year in small-town Texas. 

Over a breakfast taco, I found myself engaged in a conversation with one of Joe’s coaches. I realize that most of the “dad conversations” around me were probably focused on passing & running plays, defensive efforts, future opponents, and the prognosis for our team's upcoming success. I was more interested in other things, and for anyone who knows me that well, I’m usually digging for something a little different.

“Have you always wanted to do this with your life, Coach?” my curiosity twitching about why this coach chose this route for his own life. I went on, “I mean, realistically, the early mornings, weekends, later evenings, time away from your family and for less pay than some other jobs…is it worth it?”

I was interested in what really motivates this guy. I wondered what drives him, and others, behind the sacrifices they make each day for someone else’s children.

His reply was heartfelt. “Ever since I was young, I loved playing on a team…a group interested in working together to accomplish the same goal. I love being around kids. They seem to want more than a lot of adults do. I love the comradery, their desire. The encouragement I feel when I have to kick kids out of the locker room at the end of the day because they don’t want to leave.”

I was grateful to hear his message. His passion is to serve others to a higher place. It was about the positive influence he wanted to share. The impact he wanted to make, and his desire to see others succeed. 

I admire and appreciate those people who don’t necessarily make their personal financial gain the absolute LEAD priority in any game. But rather, they search for ways to add more meaningful value to more people’s lives.

Authors Bob Burg and John David Mann share in their book, “The Go-Giver,” two key concepts: (1) Help as many people as possible and (2) in the most meaningful ways you can. This process allows significant “value” to be created. In the end, when you’re open to receiving the blessings that value creation generates, the motivation to do more arrives, and many times, money becomes just one of a multitude of positive results.

Lone Oak is committed to serving as many people as humanly possible and in the finest way we know how. When we accomplish this objective, people seem happier, motivation flows and good things continue to happen.

Remain Encouraged,

Brian