As your company grows, you will face a number of exciting, unforeseen challenges that might never have crossed your mind earlier. These challenges will test the mettle of your organization and its mission to provide greater value to a broader range of markets. How you handle these challenges is what defines how robust of a new offering you have and how meaningful it is to the additional markets you might be serving. A solid strategy of mapping out your precise goals and objectives is undoubtedly essential. However, the approach for your company's growth should first start first from cultivating the right attitude within your employees, and within yourself.

CORRECT ATTITUDE

Navigating your company's growth starts with yourself and your own mindset. "An open mind solves all problems" , "Be always curious" - Jonathan Furman, Founder and CEO of Furman Transformation reminds us. There isn't one correct strategy for growing our business as each terrain and each hurdle varies by context. A game-plan in-advance is good, but it simply is a template. The number of unanticipated problems simply can't all be mapped out in advance. As the complexity of our world expands into uncharted territory, it's increasingly important to develop a strong mental attitude to face the challenges that come to our business as we grow. Such a mindset involves honing a clear, open, broad perspective that seeks out new possibilities without prejudice. From such a mindset, clear options for growing your company will naturally fall into place.

SHORING UP YOUR CAPACITY

Keeping in mind there are multiple choices one can make, depending on your personal goals and depending on what options arise in your mind. Some might be exciting. Some might be laborious. Some might even induce fear. However, we should always be in tune with our capacity for taking on next steps. For instance, you might find the opportunity to disrupt an entire market paradigm with your brilliant product. But along with it would come a tumultuous roller-coaster ride filled with chaos. It might be thrilling, but it also might be more intense than what you desire.

Or, on the other hand, you might decide you would prefer to quietly provide an upgrade to a stable market with a few new benefits and increased quality. This offering might not be groundbreaking and your growth might be linear rather than exponential.

However, you might prefer a more conservative approach such as this as it affords you greater clarity of mind, and sharper clarity of analysis, to chart your course.

SCALING YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

While growing, we often neglect to realize that we ourselves are growing along with our business. A business just doesn't come up all by itself. It requires the people working in it to come up along the way. As we grow, we might find that the productivity and effectiveness with which we carried when we had fewer demands hasn't kept up. Developing consistent habits and tools, as well as continuing to invest in building more and more solid workflow processes, always deserve a place in our planning to ensure that we never lose sight of our ability to scale ourselves along with our company.

CAPTURING THE PULSE OF THE MARKET

Once you have set your mindset, determined your capacity, and establish a path to scale your personal productivity, you need to connect with markets as they exist. At the end of the day, a business has to connect with the pulse of the customer. 42% percent of startups fail simply because they've failed to anticipate what the target audience is actually looking for.

SUMMARY

As you establish yourself, your business will inevitably grow in revenue, offerings, and markets, impacting the lives of more and more people along the way. There are many possibilities which will arise, many of which will seem to contradict one another. However, one central piece remains -- cultivating your company's growth starts with cultivating yourself first.

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Finding The Right Approach To Your Companies Growth - Southeast Missourian (blog)

A White Collar Boxing night in County Antrim has raised more than 800 for charity.

The big fight night saw men and women from across the borough don the gloves and take to the ring in aid of PIPS Larne.

The event was organised by Carrickfergus Boxing Academy and took place in the towns Amphitheatre.

The Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim praised the organisers following the successful event.

Councillor Cheryl Johnston said: A huge congratulations to the organisers on what was a fantastic night for such an important cause. The total raised was 853.66.

My focus as Deputy Mayor is to promote physical and mental wellbeing for all citizens of Mid and East Antrim, build community resilience and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

The money raised thanks to the generosity of those involved in the White Collar Boxing event will be used to support the crucial services offered by PIPS Larne.

PIPS Larne is a totally voluntary group working within the community of Larne and the East Antrim area.

Its aim is to increase the communitys awareness around suicide and self-harm with a view to reducing the stigma of suicide and encouraging people to seek help.

PIPS works to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and improve the attitude towards mental health issues in our community.

If you are interested in donating to PIPS Larne, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/pips-larne/

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White Collar Boxing night in Co Antrim helps raise more than 800 for charity - Belfast Live

Roseann N Ghallachir, a young Donegal mother diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, spoke on RT Raidi na Gaeltachta this past week about her experience, and how it taught her that she is far stronger than she believed.

Roseann, from Rann na Feirste, was 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the candid interview with Michelle Nic Grianna on Barrscalta on RnaG, Roseann told Michelle how she reacted when her hair began falling out due to the treatment.

About three weeks into the chemo, I was in Sligo for a bone scan and I was walking through Penneys. I ran my hand through my hair and a big lump of it came out. This is it now, I thought. So on the way home from the hospital I phoned the hairdresser and got an appointment for the next day. I went down and shaved off the lot. I was crying, but we had a good laugh that day too.

I had cancer, I was going to lose my hair, it was going to happen, so what was the point of crying about it? I always wondered what Id be like with short hair, now I had a chance to see!

Roseann said that she always kept a positive mental attitude, which helped her greatly.

I said to myself, this is not going to beat me. I always thought of the people going through much worse than me, and thats how I looked at it. There were difficult times when I couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it (the treatment) has passed quickly. Im nearly there now, and Im still here.

She said that she met a lot of other young women with breast cancer during her treatment, and that they are a great support to each other. She also said that the experience has changed her profoundly.

I stopped worrying about silly things. The children are the most important thing in my life, and as long as theyre ok everythings ok. It has taught me that Im a lot stronger than I realised. Until you are in the midst of fighting cancer, you dont know how strong you are. Everyone has that strength in them, though people dont realise it.

Id say to people to check themselves. When I found the lump, I spent a day and a night thinking about it before I went to the doctor. I didnt want to look silly going to the doctor, and for them to tell me it was nothing ... But Id say to people, dont waste any time thinking about it. Thats why the doctor is there. If you see any changes at all, go to the doctor.

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Young Donegal mother talks candidly about cancer experience - Donegal Democrat

You are here: Home / Health / Three Indispensable Ways Dreams Take Flight.Like

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(ThyBlackMan.com)There are two types of people in the world: those who are grounded and those who have taken flight. Dreamers who have taken flight are not necessarily those whose dreams have taken off, but theres an important discrepancy here: better to be dreaming in the air than being stuck on the ground with wishful thinking.

The fact is we are born dreamers; its part of our DNA. Dreams are locked somewhere in our subconscious reality; no matter where we end up in life they are there, waiting to be released.

The ways in which we give birth to our dreams are myriad. There are certain indispensable qualities of thinking that one must be in possession of in order for ones dreams to become a reality. Here are three indispensable ways our dreams are born.

Dreams Are Born by Attitude

Happiness, writes Dale Carnegie, doesnt depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.

Attitude is the most important of virtues; it can determine whether you soar or remain on the ground. To be sure, our mental approach can be sufficiently adjusted. Mental anxiety is the number one killer of dreams in life.

Many people are grounded by the lack of a proper attitude. Pigeon thinking is hopping around on the sidewalk of life like a pigeon, afraid to dream, afraid to fly. Its the attitude that keeps one disconnected from soaring to ones greatest heights. If you have a dream for your life, you must nurture it with a good attitude.

Dreams Are Infused by Altitude

By altitude I mean the urgent need to improve; to move up; to position oneself to take advantage of opportunity. How far up do you want to go?

By altitude we mean the height of an object in relation to its ground level. In short, how high a dream can travel. All dreams begin at ground-level they begin where you are. If you have no money, zero capitalization and very little support, you can still have a dream.

Altitude comes as a direct result of the proper attitude. Or, as the venerable Zig Ziglar once said, Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.

Desire is the launching pad for dreams.

Dreams Are Sustained by Amplitude

Ever heard a person describe their big idea and how its going to create millions for them then three days later they have no idea what that dream is all about? Thats because their dream lacks amplitude it has no life of its own!

Amplitude is a physics term and denotes the distance moved by an object relative to its point of equilibrium. The amplitude of a dream is proportional to the amplitude of its source. That means your dreams have life; they echo like sound waves.

In life, it means how far your dreams move from the point of origin. Theres an old saying that goes, I shot an arrow into the air, it landed I know not where.

In other words, in order for dreams to take flight, they must become dynamic, they must move and become reproductive. Dreams must take a life of their own.

Anais Nin writes, Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back; a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.

Dreams are born by attitude, infused by altitude and sustained by amplitude.

Staff Writer; W. Eric Croomes

This talented brother is a holistic lifestyle exercise expert and founder and executive coach of Infinite Strategies LLC, a multi-level coaching firm that develops and executes strategies for fitness training, youth achievement and lifestyle management. Eric is an author, fitness professional, holistic life coach and motivational speaker.

In October 2015, Eric released Lifes A Gym: Seven Fitness Principles to Get the Best of Both, which shows readers how to use exercise to attract a feeling of wellness, success and freedom (Infinite Strategies Coaching LLC, 2015) http://www.infinitestrategiescoaching.com.

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Three Indispensable Ways Dreams Take Flight. - ThyBlackMan

Last time we talked about how stress can cause headaches, neck and pack pain along with many other serious health issues. This month lets get into practical ways to decrease these effects of stress on your body.

Lets look at some different categories of stress management.

A recent study showed people who view current stress as bad for them are more harmed by that stress. The opposite was the case for people who viewed it as positive. For example, if you are suffering financial hardship and you view whats happening as a path to avoid such problems in the future, the stress is acting as a positive by motivating you to change. Also, its common to view potential dangers as more dangerous than they really are. Thinking realistically about the worst likely outcomes can reduce the stress.

Much of the problem with stress is caused by having too many stressors. If a job is the chief cause of your stress, find a less stressful one. If a marriage or relationship proves beyond repair, get out of it.

Fifteen minutes of cardiovascular activity three or four times per week, reaching the level of pulse and breathing rates where you can barely maintain a conversation, will significantly reduce the negative effects of stress.

Achieving a relaxed mental state for 15 to 30 minutes a few times per week is a very popular stress management strategy. Smartphone apps, articles and books provide simple ways to achieve a meditative state.

Many stressful situations can be improved by decreasing some stressful aspect of the situation. For example, a financial problem might be solved by learning better money management or gaining new job skills. A relationship problem might be solved by personal improvement or counseling.

It may also help to achieve any goal you consider worthwhile. For example, if you have a financial problem and you help others as part of a service organization because you value helping those less fortunate, this activity will decrease the negative effects of your financial stress.

Stress has been called the silent killer for good reason, because many of the harmful effects of stress are hidden until it is too late. Incorporating good stress management can make a big difference.

Dr. Stephen Trapani, DC, has been a practicing chiropractor in Walla Walla for more than 30 years, specializing in care for acute and chronic neck and back pain. He can be reached at drtrapani@charter.net.

The rest is here:
Attitude, exercise among ways to cut stress-caused ills - Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

No move

Philippe Coutinho has not only been denied his dream move to Barcelona, but could well face years at Liverpool while he runs down his long term contract according to the Mirror.

Thats because the club are not willing to offer him any assurances he will be sold to Barcelona at any price, or indeed any other club next summer or the summer after.

The player himself wants to leave and has made that very clear in the form of a transfer request yet that was of course denied by the club, and he now faces a season of anguish where he has to rebuild his relationship with the fans and vitally, manager Jurgen Klopp.

The last thing Coutinho will want to do is remove himself from the team and see his place lost given it is a World Cup year and hes desperate to represent Brazil in Russia, yet Liverpool have made his position clear.

The option of going on strike may be something a player like Alexis Sanchez is willing to do and Diego Costa has certainly proven thats possible should a club refuse to sell you, yet Liverpool fans will hope Coutinho echoes Luis Suarez.

However, there is one key difference in the situations Suarez knew he had one final year at Liverpool in the Premier League, and that he would be allowed to leave for Barcelona the following summer.

No such assurances have been given to Coutinho and that more than anything else may affect the players form and mental attitude in the months ahead.

Theres no denying a fit Coutinho would be key to Liverpool, especially in the Champions League and in top games in the Premier League, but keeping a player who does not want to be at a club is always a huge risk.

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Liverpool refuse to confirm to Coutinho he will be allowed to leave next summer - 101 Great Goals

Merrillville's Markus Fielder celebrates with teammate Justin Rhodes after Rhodes' touchdown Friday in Crown Point. Fielder, No. 2, didn't win a game while at Clark and lost his first two at Merrillville before finally feeling the joy of a W.

Valparaiso's Michael Scarsella, left, reacts after intercepting a LaPorte pass on Friday in LaPorte.

Night after night after night, gave after game, Markus Fielder was one of the best football players on the field. But the standout athlete had never won a varsity game.

Fielder played junior varsity as a freshman at Clark, and the Pioneers won just one game. Then, his sophomore and junior years in north Hammond Clark went 0-20, getting pounded in many of those losses. The Pioneers were shut out seven times in two seasons, even though Fielder rushed for 1,000 yards last year.

Then, he moved to Merrillville, one of the Region's most historic and respected programs. And the Pirates lost their first two games to Andrean and Penn. That set up a trip to rival Crown Point for a game that went down to the wire. The Bucs prevailed 34-26, and when they went into their victory formation to run out the clock, one thing happened that was profound.

Tears entered the eyes of Fielder, who had three catches at the wide receiver spot for the Pirates.

"It was unreal," said Fielder, who broke his personal 22-game losing streak. "I've been playing for three years and I always came up short. It meant a lot. I've been working for this since my sophomore year. It made me really happy.

"When it finally set in and we were in our victory formation, all the emotion set it."

Crown Point's Tyler Gomez runs for a touchdown against Merrillville on Friday night in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Eric Mahaffey is brought down by several Merrillville defenders Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Xavier Griffin can't get a handle on a pass Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Ethan Potosky grabs Merrillville's Justin Rhodes during Friday's game in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Markus Fielder celebrates with teammate Justin Rhodes after Rhodes' touchdown Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Anthony Swims intercepts a pass intended for Crown Point's Brett Schoettle on Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Tyler Gomez is brought down by several Merrillville defenders Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Xavier Griffin can't get a handle on a pass Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Eric Mahaffey is brought down Merrillville's Anthony Swims on Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Tyler Gomez runs for a touchdown against Merrillville on Friday night in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Eric Mahaffey is brought down by several Merrillville defenders Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Xavier Griffin can't get a handle on a pass Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Ethan Potosky grabs Merrillville's Justin Rhodes during Friday's game in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Markus Fielder celebrates with teammate Justin Rhodes after Rhodes' touchdown Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Anthony Swims intercepts a pass intended for Crown Point's Brett Schoettle on Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Tyler Gomez is brought down by several Merrillville defenders Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville's Xavier Griffin can't get a handle on a pass Friday in Crown Point.

Crown Point's Eric Mahaffey is brought down Merrillville's Anthony Swims on Friday in Crown Point.

Merrillville coach Brad Seiss said Fielder's teammates knew about his streak and one of the goals against the Bulldogs was to get No. 2 a win. Seiss and the staff were pleased when the players were clapping and shouting for Fielder after the win.

"Markus always has a smile on his face, whether in the hallway, weight room or on the field," Seiss said. "When he came over here he said, 'Coach, I've never won a game.' He worked hard. The kids worked hard and we're happy it finally happened for him.

"There's more to football than wins or losses, but this meant a lot to him and the guys."

So when you finally get a win and drive back to school, what in the world do you do?

"Me and some of the guys went to Hooters," Fielder said. "I got a barbecue chicken sandwich. It was good. Real good."

Andrean quarterback Bobby Finn runs away from an Indianapolis Chatard tackler during the 1997 Class 3A state championship game. The 59ers lost 27-24, but Finn received the IHSAA's mental attitude award. The 1997 team celebrated a 20-year reunion at 5959 Broadway on Friday.

Throwback Friday

Does anyone remember when Andrean was an also-ran in Region football? Solid. Decent. But never playing much past Halloween.

Then, athletic director Frank Podkul brought in Ted Karras Jr. to take over the program in 1996. The entire attitude and belief system changed at 5959 Broadway.

In 1997 Andrean advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the first time in school history and lost an instant classic to Indianapolis Chatard 27-23. In the game against Chatard, Andrean quarterback Bobby Finn had the greatest play I have ever seen. His 2-point conversion run where he made, seemingly, every Chatard defender miss him twice before crossing the goal line was unreal.

After that game, Andrean got back to Indianapolis five times on Thanksgiving Weekend, winning championships in 2004 and 2013.

Members of Andrean's 1997 Class 3A state finalist football team, with coach Ted Karras Jr., were honored at Friday night's game at Father Vincent Eckert Stadium. These 59ers, now with their kids in tow, were the first Andrean team that advanced to state.

The 20th anniversary of the 1997 team had a reunion at the old haunts Friday night.

Approximately 20 members of this historic team returned home from far off places like Indianapolis, Iowa and even Florida to remember and embrace the past. They hung out with their families in the end zone in the 'Niners home opener.

They shared memories and life updates as little ones ran around playing touch football a few dozen feet away from the varsity game and wives met or became reacquainted.

Players from the classes of 1998 through 2001 enjoyed each other's company. Some tailgated and some attended a postgame gathering, but the highlight for many, some of whom who hadn't touched that field since the semistate win over Fort Wayne Harding, was being presented to the crowd during a halftime roll call and thanked for setting a tone for a program that has won 12 sectionals and two state titles in the ensuing 20 years.

Head coach Ted Karras, Jr., who only recently left coaching after a run of college success that included an NAIA championship at Marian, was the main draw. He had an old Andrean windbreaker and wore a New England Patriots hat. His son plays for the Patriots.

He was delighted to see so many former players and their smiling families.

Finn, the Mental Attitude winner for Class 3A that season, was among others on hand.

The only problem with the celebration was New Prairie's 42-3 win over the 'Niners.

Three Observations

Payback is a Switch

Getting a Pick 6 is always nice. But getting it against your former teammates after a long eligibility fight that ended up in a LaPorte County courthouse, well, that's like a Pick 24.

Lyric McFarrin played quarterback for Chesterton last season but moved in with his mother in Michigan City and the transfer fight began. The IHSAA agreed with Chesterton that the move was for primarily athletic purposes.

A judge, however, gave McFarrin eligibility right before the start of the season.

In Friday's 35-14 win over the Trojans, McFarrin picked a pass and returned 45 yards for a score.

"It meant a lot, from the standpoint of everything me and my family went through to get this opportunity," McFarrin said. "To make something out of it, it felt great. I knew some of them were going to get a little dirty, so I had to make sure I didn't get involved in that and kept my cool."

It feels like the first time

The Boone Grove-Whiting football series was a little like the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight last Saturday. Completely one sided.

The Oilers were 6-0 against the Wolves and had knocked Boone out of the sectionals the last two Octobers.

Then, out of nowhere, Friday night happened.

Truman beat Dewey. Balboa beat Creed. The barbarians slapped Rome. The United States beat Russia. In hockey. Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton.

And now Boone Grove beats Whiting?

Brae'ton Vann had a last-second interception to secure the historic 19-12 win.

"I'm just pumped. Excited," said Vann, whose game-ending 40-yard interception return for a TD sealed it for the Wolves. "I'm just a sophomore, but the coaches believed in me."

Vann also rushed for 153 yards on 24 carries and added two receiving touchdowns.

There is absolutely nothing mini about this Vann.

"We can't really explain how this feels at the moment," Boone Grove coach Dan Kukulski said. "Our whole program and community have bought in, and our defense played phenomenally."

Whiting had just 99 yards rushing. It marked the Oilers' first back-to-back losses since 2010.

Offense has been the hallmark of Jeff Cain's vaunted program on the shore of Lake Michigan, but the boat is taking on water right now.

"We're getting a pretty decent effort defensively, we just have to get it going on the other side," Cain said.

Just what the doctor ordered

Munster coach Leroy Marsh knew the start of this season could be slow. After losing countless standouts to graduation, his young Mustangs entered this season with a road map, compass and confused looks on their faces.

A 33-14 loss to Lake Central and 33-21 loss to Chesterton set up Friday's home game against E.C. Central.

It wasn't quite a "must-win" situation. But close.

The Mustangs hadn't started 0-3 in 20 years.

So the 35-13 win was important for the youngsters looking to turn the corner.

The scores from Friday's prep football action in the Region.

Vince Bravo replaced Will Melby at quarterback and threw for 139 yards and three touchdowns to spark the 'Stangs.

Mistakes and penalties, though, had the game tied at 7-7 late in the third quarter.

We had kept shooting ourselves in the foot in the first half," Marsh said. "In the second half, we went a little more basic, and we threw the ball a little bit to get them out of the box. They had 10 or 11 in the box on every play.

The Valparaiso Vikings raise their helmets and cheer toward their fans following their win over LaPorte on Friday in LaPorte.

Quote of the Night

LAPORTE A buddy of mine told me about this no-named Irish band back in the summer of 1980. He said they were really good.

Many in the Region are kind of scratching their heads about Valparaiso's 3-0 start. The Vikings are giving up 6.67 points a game, which is tied for 15th in the state, along with Hanover Central and Lowell.

But when you look at who Valpo has played -- Penn, Mishawaka, LaPorte -- its defensive numbers are that much more impressive.

Valpo athletic director Herb Hofer summed it up best while standing next to me.

"Our guys play hard," he said. "Every play."

That would be an understatement, sir. But absolutely correct.

LaPorte's Nolan Lorenz, center, runs downfield against the Vikings defense on Friday in LaPorte.

LaPorte's Selah Brooks, bottom, brings down Valparaiso's Reece Crossin, above, on Friday in LaPorte.

LaPorte's Nolan Lorenz, center, runs for the end zone Friday in LaPorte. The play resulted in a Slicers fumble.

Valparaiso's Sam Bernardi, right, reacts after a pass interference committed by LaPorte's Selah Brooks on Friday in LaPorte.

The LaPorte defense brings down Valparaiso's Reece Crossin on a run Friday in LaPorte.

Valparaiso's Jake Leffew, left, prepares to throw a pass Friday in LaPorte.

Valparaiso's Eddie Curry, left, tries to get around a LaPorte tackler Friday in LaPorte.

The LaPorte defense brings Valparaiso's Reece Crossin, center, down on a run Friday in LaPorte.

Valparaiso's Reece Crossin prepares to throw a pass Friday in LaPorte.

Valparaiso's Jesse Harper, right, is cheered on by a teammate after making a catch to solidify a Vikings first down late in the fourth quarter Friday in LaPorte.

Valparaiso's Michael Scarsella, left, reacts after intercepting a LaPorte pass on Friday in LaPorte.

See the article here:
Saturday Morning QB: Merrillville's Fielder gets first career win at CP - nwitimes.com (blog)

Photo: Paola Marizan (WNIN News)

Ricky Ard's body is removed from the scene at the federal building in Evansville.

A southern Indiana coroner says a man slain by an officerwas in the midst of a schizophrenic episode when he swung a baseball bat at the officer.

An Evansville police officer fatally shot 55-year-old Ricky Ard outside a federal courthouse where he had smashed windows with a bat Tuesday, a day after being escorted from that building.

Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear tells the Evansville Courier & Press Ard was having a schizophrenic episode and was fixated on an Evansville businessmans unsolved 1977 car-bombing death when he encountered the officer.

A statement from Ards family says he had a long, documented history of mental illness.

A preliminary police investigation found the officer was justified in shooting Ard.

A police video shows the officer attempt to use a stun gun on Ard, and Ard swinging a bat at the officer before he fired.

Link:
Evansville Man Killed By Police Was Having Mental Episode - Indiana Public Media

SUTHERLIN The Bulldogs really need a win.

The Sutherlin High football team has gone almost two complete seasons without a win. Last year, they were 0-9 and the year before 1-6, and after some devastating and heartbreaking losses in the last two years, a win could do wonders for the Bulldogs mental attitude.

It seemed like every time they looked to be heading for a score, a turnover, untimely penalty or just a botched play would stall the drive. The Bulldogs were outscored 349-87 and just had a hard time getting the ball into the end zone.

There were so many games the last two years, it wasnt about our abilities, it was about the opponents just making a play, getting a stop, or bad bounce, or if we just hold onto the ball. So getting some success early with this group, I think could snowball for us, said fifth-year coach Sean Radford, whose teams still have not won a Sky-Em League game since moving into the league three seasons ago.

The Sutherlin offense will have to pick up the pace after getting shut out three times last year, and scoring just one touchdown in three other games.

At quarterback, the Bulldogs have experience in senior Zach Yarbrough (5-foot-10, 155 pounds) but two others are competing for the starting spot.

Juniors Cade Meisner (5-11, 160), who played quarterback on the JV team last year, and Anthony Friesen (6-1, 175) are both in the mix.

If we can get a guy who just takes over the job and makes good decisions, and hopefully makes some good plays, that would be really nice for us to see, but that is a question mark, said Radford.

Whoever wins the job will have some pass catchers to throw to. The receiving positions might be Sutherlins strongest and deepest spot in the lineup.

We have a lot of guys we can throw in there and keep us fresh, and have some speed, Radford said.

Senior Korbyn Jones (6-4, 200) and Junior J.R. Bailey (6-6, 240) will alternate at tight end, and several others will rotate at wide receiver. Senior Tristan Vincent (5-8, 145) has some speed and was the leading receiver last year with 18 catches. Hes one of several receivers who will see a lot of playing time.

We have a lot of guys returning and a lot of young guys that are really working hard for a spot, said Vincent. I think we have the quarterbacks that can get us the ball, and they have really good throwing arms and are putting in the work in practice.

Jones feels they have the pieces to make the offense go.

All of us come out here every day, running our routes, trying to make them more crisp and were pretty set, I think well be fine, Jones said.

Senior Conner Grauf (6-0, 190) is a bruising runner. He carried the ball an average of 13 times a game last year and had a season-high 126 yards against North Valley. He ran for six touchdowns during the season, three of those in the final game against Yamhill-Carlton.

Radford thinks he will have a competitive team. Hes had only five seniors in fall camp, but feels he has some quality athletes.

We have back almost all of our linebacking corps. The biggest loss on defense was Tristan Needam at safety and were trying to figure out who to fit in there, said Radford. Up front we bring Korbyn (Jones) and J.R. (Bailey) back at defensive end, and feel really good about them.

Grauf and senior Andrew Smalley (6-0, 225) are returning starters at linebacker, and theyll be pretty solid there, as long as they can avoid injuries.

Will Singleton (6-0, 190, junior) comes back and hes a strong player, Grauf said. He has a nose for the ball, and Hunter Fadness (6-0, 160, junior) will probably be a strong safety and hes really picking it up quickly. Hell be a huge asset for our defense.

Radford says senior cornerbacks Bryce Anderson (5-10, 160) and Vincent are good enough to take some pressure off the inside linebackers, so theyll be able to concentrate more on stopping the running game.

On the offensive line, the Bulldogs have Singleton and Zach Lepre (5-10, 195, junior) who both played a lot as sophomores. Sophomores Ashton Pepiot (6-0, 240), Hunter Strong (5-10, 190) and junior Austin Owens (6-6, 235) all come up from the JV and have gotten bigger and stronger.

We wont have a senior on our line, and I think were finally in a position where we can build some depth there, which we havent had, Radford said.

As always, with a small turnout, the Bulldogs cant afford many injuries.

Seven starters back on both sides of the ball, and they feel theyll be competitive, but they badly need a win to get over a big mental hurdle. The turnout is better this year with about 35 players showing up for fall practice, and thats still not as many bodies as Radford would like.

From one to 35, we really like the group that we have and were optimistic about it, said Radford.

The Bulldogs open at Oakland at 7 p.m. Friday night and the rivalry has been heating up the last two years, but Jones says theyre trying not to get too caught up in it.

Were going to focus on the game and get prepared mentally and be physically ready. Theyre a tough team, but were tough too, Jones said.

Link:
Prep Football: Sutherlin tries to get over the mental hurdle - NRToday.com

Chapter 5: Mental Toughness from the book Sports & Stocks by Bud Labitan

Mental toughness is a measure of individual resilience and confidence that may predict success in sports, investing, education, and work. Mental toughness and focus are a set of attributes that allow a person to become a better athlete and and a better investor. It takes self-discipline to cope with difficult training and difficult competitive situations without losing confidence. I like to think that running Cross Country and Track in High School gave me more mental toughness and perseverance. I believe that this also helped me learn to pace myself, and exercise patience.

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Sports & Stocks by Bud Labitan

In recent years, the term mental toughness has been commonly used by coaches, sport psychologists, sports commentators, and business leaders. Along with mental toughness, consider the idea of mental flexibility. Mental flexibility is the ability to keep an open mind and learn new things.

While "Mental toughness" refers to positive attributes that helps a person to cope with difficult situations, consider the idea of mental efficiency. Mental Efficiency is similar to good time management. To me, it means the use of our time to focus on the things that really matter in making a good decision.Coaches use the term mental toughness to describe the mental state of athletes who persevere through difficult sport circumstances. Likewise, good preparation helps the athlete and the investor lessen the difficulties of running a play or making a challenging decision.

The great Basketball player Michael Jordan always prepared himself for game battle. He said: I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-Six, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

Each meaningful event can lead us to improve our performance. Famous Basketball Coach John Wooden said: Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. And It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.

Does competition have to be stressful? "Hans" Selye, was a pioneering Austrian-Canadian endocrinologist. He conducted important scientific work on the hypothetical non-specific response of an organism to stressors. Dr. Selye said: Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.

Consider this similar quote from Dale Carnegie: Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.

Then, back to investing and attitude, note what Warren Buffett said: Our advantage, is attitude: we learned from Ben Graham that the key to successful investing was the purchase of shares in good businesses when market prices were at a large discount from underlying business values. When you invest, focus on your circle of competence. Draw a circle around the businesses you understand and then eliminate those that fail to qualify on the basis of value, good management, and limited exposure to hard times.

Buffett has gone on to say: Keep it simple. Value Investing ideas seem so simple and commonplace. It seems like a waste of time to go to school and get at PhD, and having someone tell you the ten commandments are all that matter. An investor cannot obtain superior profits from stocks by simply committing to a specific investment category or style. He or she can earn them only by carefully evaluating facts and continuously exercising discipline.

So, if you keep things simple, carefully evaluate the important facts, and continuously exercise discipline, you can make your process a bit easier and have a bit more fun.

"Sports & Stocks" by Bud Labitan can be found on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Bud-Labitan/e/B002D1ERT4

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Sports & Stocks Chapter 5: Mental Toughness - ValueWalk