July 2006

Created for people who want valuable ideas and insights

to help them get results - personally and professionally!

Please feel free to forward this issue to clients, associates, family and friends.

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Daily Messages

The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions.

“Most of know what to do but we don’t always do what we know.”

- Chuck Coté

“I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.”

- Confucius

You’ve Got What It Takes

         We’ve all had people who were a positive influence in our life.  Maybe it was a grandmother or grandfather who said you were special.  It could have been a mentor during your career that inspired you to stretch yourself.  It might be your spouse who gives you a boost of confidence when you need help facing tough times.  Whoever it was, they made a difference in your life.

         Let me tell you the story about a man who made an incredible difference in my life.

Growing up, I was somewhat of a “wild child.”  My Dad died when I was young and my Mom, as a single mother, did her best to raise me but at times I could be a handful.  I had plenty of courtesy and conduct problems in grade school and was sent to an all-boy’s high school run by Jesuits priests.  My discipline problems continued there but I finally graduated despite being expelled in my junior year. 

On my eighteenth birthday I enlisted in the Marine Corps.  I chose the Marines because I thought if I could make it through the Marines, I could make it through anything.  I was so “gung ho” I even volunteered for Vietnam .

However, before we left for boot camp and were still in Detroit getting our physicals, fear and self- doubt overwhelmed me.  The stark reality of what I had done began to hit me.  I was scared to death of what I was facing during the next three years in the Marines and was ready to do almost anything to get out. 

I was standing by myself and getting more depressed by the minute when a Marine Sergeant walked up to me and said: “I’ve been watching you all day long and I’m going to tell you something.  You keep your eyes and your ears open and your mouth shut and you’ll make it as a Marine because … “You’ve got what it takes.”  Then he walked away.

I never saw him before.  Never saw him again.  Never even knew his name.  He looked like every other Marine I saw; short hair, rock solid and not the touchy, feely type.  We had less than a thirty-second conversation but I never forgot what he said.

To this day, I don’t know what he saw in me because it was more than I saw in myself.  His words, “You’ve got what it takes,” inspired me and changed the course of my life.  I found the courage and commitment to go on. 

At eighteen, becoming a Marine was the best I could possibly imagine and so I made a conscious decision to Expect The Best and to take responsibility for getting it.  The old saying “if it is to be - it is up to me” was firmly planted in my mind. 

             “You’ve got what it takes” ran through my mind again and again as I went through twelve long and grueling weeks of boot camp with all the physical, mental and emotional training.  I repeated those words again and again as I visualized graduating as the Platoon Honorman and # 1 recruit. 

 At the end of boot camp, I did graduate as the Platoon Honorman and # 1.  I wasn’t the smartest.  I wasn’t the best shot with a rifle and certainly wasn’t the toughest recruit in my platoon.  I’m convinced that I made it through boot camp, graduated as Platoon Honorman and became a Marine by repeating those words, “You’ve got what it takes” and in my heart … believing it!

What’s amazing is how many times since then I’ve heard “You’ve got what it takes” when I so desperately needed it.  I heard it in college when I thought I might flunk out.  Then in business in my first sales job with Xerox when I didn’t sell anything for a month and thought I was going to be fired.  And later as a manager when I doubted I was going to succeed.  In every instance, someone inspired and uplifted me and gave me the confidence to stretch myself and succeed.

When you look back on your life didn’t you have someone who told you, “You’ve got what it takes” and in your heart …you believed them? 

They helped you find the courage and commitment to go forward, face your fears and do whatever it took to succeed.  And when you believe … in your heart … “You’ve got what it takes” you’re unstoppable!

So what’s my point?  Very simple.  We can all use the … You’ve got what it takes” attitude to help others as well as ourselves.  How can you do that?

We all have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life by being a positive influence.  Every day, we come in contact with all sorts of people, adults and children, at work, and at home.  Lift them up and inspire them to blast through their fears and insecurities.  Challenge them go to a much higher level by believing … in their heart … “You’ve got what it takes” to succeed.

In the same way, make it a point to re-energize yourself on a daily basis with a healthy dose of the “You’ve got what it takes” attitude.  We all go through tough times in life when we may be plagued by disappointment and doubt.  That’s when, more than ever, you need to remind yourself that “You’ve got what it takes” and believe it!   

            In life, we move towards and become what we focus on and think about.  It’s amazing what someone can achieve with the “You’ve got what it takes” attitude.    

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If you don’t enjoy your life, who will?

- Chuck Coté

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy it!  Too many people feel guilty when they relax or take time off.  Don’t … life is too short and we all need to stop and play once in a while.

Remember what it was like to get out of school for the summer and just play.  While most of us can’t play all summer long, there is nothing wrong with kicking back and being a kid once again for a little while.

This Month’s Action Step

For the rest of the summer, schedule times to play and enjoy yourself without feeling one bit guilty. Go ahead … try it … you’ll like it! 

 “The trouble with the rat race is,

even if you win, you’re still a rat.”

-         Lily Tomlin

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Need someone to rekindle the passion and dedication in your employees, team members or associates?  Looking for a speaker who is entertaining, inspiring and energizing?  Then go to my web site www.chuckcote.com and review my speaking information and programs or call me at (800) 350-7695.

OK Coté Recommended Read

Each newsletter I want to recommend a book that I think is worth your time and money.  

Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales is this month’s recommended read. 

It’s a fabulous book about the mystery of survival whether it’s in the wilderness or in conquering one of life’s many challenges.  Everyone, at some time or another, needs inspiration and insights for dealing with personal and professional obstacles, setbacks and problems.  As most of you know, I’m a big believer in the Expect The Best attitude coupled with taking responsibility for getting it.  This book helps reinforce that message and I hope you enjoy it.

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Coming Soon …

Chuck Coté

Expect The Best

TeleSeminars

What the heck is a TeleSeminar and why would I be interested in one anyway? 

A TeleSeminar is one of the fastest and most innovative methods to gain valuable information without leaving the comfort of your home or office. It’s a seminar you participate in by phone.  No hassles!

In the fall I will begin offering Expect The Best TeleSeminars.  By subscribing to my newsletter you will be the first to receive an invitation and registration details.  Please call or e-mail me if you want more information or have suggested topics.

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Final Note from Chuck

This is the second edition of the Chuck Coté Expect The Best Newsletter   My purpose in writing these newsletters is simple and straightforward: to give you No-Nonsense Wisdom That Works!  Works how?  It gives you information you can use to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you. 

THANK YOU for reading my newsletter!  Please feel free to forward it to clients, associates, family and friends.

Please send your feedback or comments to:okcote@chuckcote.com

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