This week's Pep Talk: "The Effort Alone"

There are moments when life gives us wonderful examples of possibility. Often these reminders go largely unnoticed. But then again, sometimes amazing feats occur before a massive audience. The Denver Broncos recent upset overtime win over the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoffs is a good example.

Ironically, Denver’s first playoff win since 2005 was, for this simple dude from Missouri, a second powerful reminder of, my opinion, a great truth: hard work, smart decisions and teamwork can spark tremendous accomplishment - home, work and elsewhere, including a football field.

And, a volleyball court. On this second Sunday of January 2012, the initial reminder of this terrific trio’s power forced me to listen to the first half of the Broncos/Steelers thriller on radio. I was driving back from Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was opening day for a team of young ladies, including precious daughter, who play volleyball for Juggernaut, a club team based in Denver. This group of high-school freshmen girls showed similar resolve - hard work, smart decisions and teamwork - in playing winning volleyball in five matches played over seven hours.

Hard work. Smart decisions. Teamwork. It seems, just my opinion, to greatly enhance chances of victory wherever we roam. Sorry, concentration on this Pep Talk was interrupted briefly by a buddy - who also had a daughter playing in the volleyball tournament - texting me about the Broncos improbable victory, the Iowa native wrote: “I prefer my crow fried so it tastes like chicken. How do you like yours? Unbelievable!”

Long-time mentor and buddy Bill McCartney and I share mud - what he calls coffee - and water often these days. Frequently, for whatever reason, the leadership-centered conversation steers toward a quotation near and dear to our hearts. It’s a statement attributed to Vince Lombardi. The New York native studied for the priesthood and attended law school before shifting his focus to football. Ultimately, Lombardi would, in the 1960’s, lead the Green Bay Packers to five world championships. The Super Bowl champion each year hoists a trophy named after the legendary coach who tragically died far too young of cancer at 57 and once muttered: “I firmly believe any man’s - substitute woman, child or other moniker here - finest hours is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.”

Amen to that! Life often takes us on unexpected and unwanted journeys leaving us perplexed and wondering, “What the heck is going on around here?” Few gave the Broncos a snowball’s chance in Hades of beating the Steelers. Few parents expected teenage girls who love to sleep, as much as they love to shop, rise early and play inspired volleyball. Where might it be time for us to take a cue from these examples and display great resolve in working hard, playing smart and rallying with like-minded folks in conquering whatever ails us - home, work and community? This is just my opinion, but while venues change - football field, volleyball court, workplace, home or neighborhood - strategies for success remain the same. I know, simple, not easy, right?

Perhaps it comes down to this. Wherever we roam, let’s promise one another our best effort. Let’s promise one another, even in bleak moments, to work hard, play smart and unite in ways honoring us, nurturing those dependent upon us and adding value to communities we serve.

The community served might be a football team, volleyball squad, family, business, church, service club - whatever. Let’s work our hearts out in good cause. While there is no guarantee of lying exhausted on the battlefield victorious, the effort alone will make us winners.