Let's Chase Greatness...
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Welcome to the first installment of what I hope will become a go-to blog for you. My name is Don Yaeger and I'm a seven-time New York Times best-selling author and longtime associate editor of Sports Illustrated. Some people study academics, some people study mathematics, some study art…
I've been fortunate to study WINNERS!
Four years ago, I started speaking to audiences about those lessons from GREAT winners. Then I started following up with a monthly newsletter about a "Moment of Greatness" I had the good fortune to witness, linking it to a lesson we can apply in our lives as we each pursue our own GREATNESS.
Now, as part of my growth, I wanted to establish a more frequent connection with those who are, along with me, CHASING GREATNESS. Here, I hope we'll establish a community who aspire to something special.
I chose CHASING GREATNESS as the blog's title because, like perfection, GREATNESS is nearly impossible to attain. We're all flawed, but what we do with those flaws defines us. Vince Lombardi once said, "Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
In my mind, GREATNESS isn't a place, it is a way of life. And that way of life is enjoyed only by those who engage in the chase. Most people quit a race with no finish line…but the GREAT ones I've met relish the uncommon opportunity that comes from daily growth.
Why Sports Stories?
For years I've taken stories from my world – the world of sports – and tried to help others use those stories to motivate themselves to do something special, something GREAT. That's what we're going to do here.
Many of us spend years trying to figure out the right way to do things. Many times there is no clear indicator of if we are on the right path. Sports lives out life's dramas in short segments called games or matches. There is a scoreboard that announces in bold lights to yourself and the world if you are heading in the right direction. In the end sports can show you and the world if your struggles and your strategies are working. But because success cannot just be measured in wins, I will also take you into the heart of some athletes who never get a medal or a trophy and show you what drives them beyond common expectations to uncommon achievements.
If you don't follow sports you will be amazed at the inside personal stories of these athletes and coaches. If you do follow sports you may find yourself saying, "I remember that! I always wondered why that worked?"
Why A Blog?
I wanted to get my message out more frequently, in a more personal manner. In a way that inspires and encourages you at just the right time. Right before your big presentation. Just as you start a re-organization. Just when you feel like relationship challenges have overwhelmed you. I want to be there in the heat of the battle to help you on your pathway to GREATNESS.
Your Part:
But most importantly, I want to create a community of thinkers, creators, and doers as interested in the development of their GREATNESS as I am. So sign up to receive the blog below and also be sure to pass it on to your colleagues and friends so that we truly grow this community into someplace special.
You can also sign up for a daily dose of GREATNESS by subscribing to my daily inspirational quotes here: www.donyaeger.com/daily-inspirational-quote
Let's start building this community of GREATNESS with you telling me in the comment section of something you've seen recently, either live or through the media, that served as an example to you of a lesson worth modeling.
Let's CHASE GREATNESS together…I appreciate you!
Join the conversation, leave a comment below.
Comments
What a great idea Don. I wish you the best of luck on this adventure and I cannot wait to read stories told. I am looking forward to these adventures your blog will take me on. "Leadership is an opportunity to serve," J. Donald Walters. You are definitely doing that with this blog. Good luck!
Scott
What a great idea Don. Best of luck and I look forward to reading these installments each and every week. "Leadership is an opportunity to serve," J. Donald Walters. Way to go!
Congratulations Don. A milestone day for you, for sure, but also a great day for ME (which is more important, right?)! Thanks to you, I now know that Vince Lombardi and I are like-minded thinkers. I've always told people who ask me why I'm a perfectionist that "If I shoot for perfection, I can settle for great. If I only shoot for great, than I have to settle for good and that ain't good enough." Different terms but similar drive and ideals. Looking forward to the blog!
Don,from the first meeting, I have always connected with your stories. As a college football player of over 40 years ago, I will never forget those lessons learned on and off the field by those I associated with. My college coach often said "A Athletic never stays the same, you are either getting better or worst. I determined then to always be moving toward a better me. Thanks for sharing those stories of others and I encourage you to build this community.
I look forward to learning and growing from your posts and those of the others who come to this site!
Don, thank you for sharing your blog with the world. We need to hear you voice in this format. You're a great man in a day it seems few exist, and this blog will bless so many along their journey with your words of wisdom. I tell my audiences that we were born for greatness, because like you, I believe it's a way of life, not some final destination. Wishing you the best year ever friend. AND may we all remember that God heals, miracles happen and dreams come true! -Manny
LOVE the blog, Don! What a great place for people to come and read to get amazing insight from people who have REALLY achieved their goals and lived their dream! I can't wait to read it weekly!! (And spread the word to others!) Thanks for blogging! 
Leadership, respect, trust, loyal friend, caring, family man, gifted writer and story teller, industry giant...all came immediately to mind when I think of Don Yaeger. I have had the pleasure to hear Don speak, and develop a friendship over the years. Chasing Greatness is in my DNA, and like his books, this blog will be a regular MUST stop as I personally continue to learn and growth and like Don, touch peoples lives for the better.
Don, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and developing this blog! I always look forward to what you will speak of next. You are someone I respect highly and you are such a positive influence to so many. As you know, my husband who coaches high school football is using your stories and words to encourage his players and is hoping that seeds of hope are planted in each of them. As a result of your inspiration, other coaches have also become interested in what you are teaching and want to hear and read more. You have been a light to so many and are one of the true GREATS! I will be forwarding your blog to others who I know would enjoy and participate in it. Thank you so much!
Great Blog Don! Have always enjoyed your speaking sessions, but this is just as good. I signed up for the daily inspiration messages. It will make chasing greatness a little easier to get a dose from the greatness doctor everyday! Good Luck and I will spread the word.
Mike White
Wow! I'm astounded to see all of these amazing, supportive comments. Thank you so much for taking a moment to read my first post and to provide feedback. (If I had known there would be such a warm welcome -- I may have started blogging sooner!!) I hope you'll find these weekly posts to be of value to you and your network, and I appreciate all of you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Looking forward to Chasing Greatness with you!
Everyday we interact with managers, but how many are leaders? Everyday we experience good or average but how many people today really aspire to be great? The sad truth these days is that far too often, "good enough" has become acceptable. I love the blog and congratulate all who participate for they are the exception to today's mediocrity. I look forward to the weekly installments as we work to be better in all facets of our lives. We are fortunate to have a friend like you don who makes the effort to be great. Thank you.
Looking forward to all you have to share!
Your daily inspirational quotes are contagious! I am a leader for boot camp at our YMCA, and I send my team your daily motivations. They have all commented how these quotes keep them going, and they want me to continue to share your message. Since then, I have had others ask me to share your daily motivations. They are now sharing your quotes with others as well.
You and I talked about this........when you throw a pebble into the water, and the ripples expand. That is exactly what is happening with people in our community!! In a world filled with such negative stories and emotions; your positive daily motivational quotes are the FIRST things I look at before I start my day at work! You're AMAZING! Thank you for starting my day on the right path.
Thank you so much for keeping all of us motivated and inspired.
I LOVE the blog Don! You might be surprised by the fame of your blog and the comments shared but I'm not. I think that most of us strive for greatness in our lives, sometimes it only touches one aspect like sports, or our family life or work, and for others it is a theme that wraps itself within everything we work to achieve. A blog like yours reminds us of the greatness that is within and inspires us to never give up. Keep up the awesome job! I happen to think you are one of the great ones with your pioneering spirit to excel and succeed, not only for yourself, but through the lives that you touch.
I wish you GREATNESS in your new blog Don.
I'm sure it will be better than GREAT!
-Darren Hardy
Congratulations on the blog Don....Much like yourself - I also share a passion for sports and the lessons we can learn from the "Great Ones" to enhance our own lives and make us better individuals. I look forward to reading your thoughts and will encourage others to do the same.
Take care!