MAN up!

http://youtu.be/jZf-Zft85Xs

The song made by K. Michelle couldn't have been phrased any better, "Can't raise a MAN!"  Too many times in the world today do we find women attempting to raise a boy to a man!  As the picture states boys will be boys, until someone TEACHES them to be MORE!

Never allow them to settle for being okay. Always strive for GREATNESS and bring your A game!  Turn down for what should be engrained into their heads. 

http://youtu.be/KS7IlF8BLnM

I was recently at a restaurant and a patron beside me complained about everything from the beginning. At first he wanted a HOT drink, secondly he wanted a discount on the cold drink and thirdly he said that his food was okay (the bun was not good, tomatoes not crispy, meat not done enough). So the waiter asked him what he could do to make it better, to which he replied, nothing it's okay and it's okay for things to be just okay sometimes. I was furious because that's what's wrong with the world today!!!  Everything and everybody is pleased with things being just okay!  

The new buzz words are it is what it is!  Well my reply is, it ain't what it ain't!  It ain't good enough to just be OKAY any longer. It is no longer okay for your pants to sag, for your grades to be poor, for your friends to be thugs, for you to try drugs, for you to sell drugs, for you to get tattoos that cover your entire body, for you to downgrade women or for you to shoot and kill one another. The list could go on forever however, my point is that we can no longer accept less than your absolute best!

http://youtu.be/dwXbsMjgMLM

Now is the time for us to show our young men how to be clean cut, honest, hardworking, dependable, gentlemen, intelligent, boyfriends that turn into husbands, high school graduates that become college graduates and most of all chain/cycle breakers that set the stage for future generations that no longer subscribe to mediocrity! 

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we make it. 

-Michelangelo

MENTALITY - Part 5 - DRESS

The long anticipated DRESS MENTALITY is finally here!  I have been going back and forth on this issue for a while now with the MENTALITY series to show for it. So, I am actually very grateful and my mind said YES TO THE DRESS! Ha! Ha! Ha! Simply a little TLC humor for all of my female readers! 

Now, let's get down to the business at hand. Many times in life women find themselves needing to fit into that DRESS!  In order to fit into that DRESS, they attempt many different measures which have been chronicled in the MENTALITY series they fall back on religion and praying, they get a workout partner thus forming a relationship, they get a side job selling a weight loss supplement or product and gain a new JOB, they use that new JOB for what it can give to them and get discounts on the products to supply diet plan number 99 and this ALL was done to get into THAT DRESS!!!

So, as the weeklong series culminates my hope is that you appreciate the work I put in to help you fit your DRESS!  You see initially I simply wanted to discuss the process that women go through just to fit into that DRESS but a larger cause jumped out to me and I saw the need to adDRESS it. 

Our lives eerily go step for step with the process it takes to get into that DRESS and the sad part is after we get into that DRESS we fall back into old habits! After reading this series, I would like for you to reflect on your life and figure out what your DRESS is?  It could be God, significant other, or a dream job, illness that is causing your health to decline or a wedding DRESS you actually need to fit into. The reflection should be on what you did or will do after you reach that destination!  Also, what if you have to go through a Job like series of events in order for God to meet you on the other side? Will you have the MENTALITY it takes to GO GET IT? 

In order to attempt to fit into my DRESS of education I created a MENTALITY called No Box Thinking and it is not just a flavor of the month for me. I truly believe in the power that positive and creative thinking has on one’s life. I stepped out on FAITH and began a blog that you are currently reading, a chat on twitter to share this MENTALITY with others from across the globe and I am hoping that by using my God given talents I will be able to meet him on the other side!  I borrowed from Steven Covey and began with the end in mind with the initial post of this series and will leave you with the same thought: 

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the final installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you Sunday at 7 pm CST to talk MENTALITY!

Please follow @nbtchat for more information on the No Box Thinking MENTALITY and join #nbtchat to further the discussion and assist in the development of a MENTALITY of a lifetime! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 4 - Diet

The next installment of MENTALITY will touch on a very touchy subject "Dieting!" When attempting to find the definition one can find 99 different versions, just like the failed attempts at adhering to a DIET falls prey too. For this entry we will begin with the following definition: 

To eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition.

By this definition one can easily see that when on a DIET one must follow a regulated system, to lose weight or control a medical condition. This is something that many have tried and failed at by simply attempting to trick themselves into depriving their body from the essential nutrients it needs to perform at optimal levels for a short duration of time. However, the key word that I see missing in the definition is the MENTALITY that it takes. 

Listen closely and I will give you an actual DIET definition that will work!

To establish a new lifestyle and eating habits that closely mirrors a healthy MENTALITY, that ensures one permanently loses weight and stabilizes all medical conditions. 

So, in summary when one changes their lifestyle instead of just their eating and drinking patterns, they add the needed MENTALITY to make all the difference!  The main ingredient in the DIET goes back to the initial entry of this series: 

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the fourth installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tonight at 10:00 for the DRESS MENTALITY! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 3 - Career

Careers are made dependent upon the type of MENTALITY that one possess. The average American has a job that they work from 8-5 and they only expect to produce during that time frame. When asked to work during anytime that does not fall within that timeline, we have come up with additional compensation package known as "Overtime!"  This compensation has taken out the, whatever it takes MENTALITY that it ultimately takes to turn a job into a career!

To dive a little deeper look at the difference between an hourly and salary employee. One is paid by the amount of hours worked and that in turn dictates the amount of responsibility that is bestowed upon that individual. They are normally the entry level type of employees who are just beginning with the company and not yet vested into the company. So this person would have a, what can the company do for me MENTALITY.

However, you could take that same employee, turn them into a manager or salary and all of a sudden they gain a, what can I do for my company MENTALITY.  This employee no longer needs the lure of the extra compensation package "Overtime" to motivate them to produce after hours or to develop their skill while not on the clock.  Thus a, whatever it takes MENTALITY is present and separates the leaders from the followers! The main difference and key ingredient can be found at the beginning of this MENTALITY series:

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the third installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you later today for installment number four! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 2 - Relationship

The second installment of this series will focus on relationship MENTALITY and we will look at the two key types of relationships (plug and outlet.)

Now when we talk about the plug MENTALITY we are talking about a person who plugs into others and looks for external motivation. These people need others to provide them with guidance on how to effectively get from point A to point B. They are not usually self motivators and find it difficult to complete task without constant reinforcement. When you approach someone with a plug MENTALITY with a problem, they usually cannot provide you with any type of direction and normally find some way to make the problem worse. Those with plug MENTALITY are usually your followers and rarely accept challenges to step up and lead! 

The outlet relationship is one that is built on providing a boost to outside sources and being available for others to plug in to.  This type of person is normally your leader and requires minimal external motivation as they thrive on the intrinsic motivation to keep them going. They are self-reliant and are rarely seen following others as they would much rather be leading the crowd. These types of people have the MENTALITY that if they want something done right, then they must do it themselves!  At the most trying times the outlet type find themselves wondering who it is that they can plug in to and my answer relates back to the beginning of this MENTALITY series:

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the second installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tomorrow for installment number three!  Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 1 - Religion

When one comes upon their GREATNESS they must first discern whether or not they have the proper MENTALITY. 

You see in life many times we fall prey to having that just enough to get by MENTALITY and do not follow through with the needed passion or persistence to fulfill the promise. 

This blog entry will be broken down into a series titled MENTALITY where we will discuss religion, relationships, careers, diets and dresses! Most would probably ask what does a man know about a dress, well hang in there until the end of the series for the answer!

In religion the type of MENTALITY needed is to have the unshakable faith to persist and seek God no matter what the circumstance or situation. When looking for examples one can stop by and visit Job for the type of mentality that a true believer must have to overcome adversity and live the life that God wants for us. You see Job was tempted by the devil in every possible situation but refused to curse God and believed that he would be brought out of his valley! 

Job 1:8
Have you considered Job? He is a man who fears God, who is upright and shuns evil! 


Job 1 20-22

The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away.

When watching others suffer through Job like challenges, most would want to question and ask why me Lord? However, I was once told by my mother to ask the question in reverse, Why not me Lord? It's all about having a different mentality! God wants to use his people as an example of how his grace and mercy is sufficient for even the toughest of times. 

When God saw that Job had that Why not me MENTALITY the Bible reads that he rewarded him double for his trouble by restoring everything Job had two fold!

Next example of religious MENTALITY came after a conversation with Coach Hamilton today. When discussing the topic for my latest entry he lit up and shared with me an excerpt from a sermon he had heard. It fit so well that I had to insert it here. You see when God is giving the message and you are being obedient the message comes to you! Stay still and listen to hear him speak to you!

This example comes from David in Psalms 40 1-3

I waited patiently for The Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the lord. (Psalms 40:1-3 NLT). 

You see David had the mentality to wait and trust in The Lord to place him in his rightful position. Many times we rush The Lord and fail to trust the process. He allows us to go through trials and tribulations in order to prepare us for the final destination. MENTALITY building process that will at times get a lot worse before it better, however if you want to get something that you have never got then you have to be willing to do something that you have never done! 

The key factor to the religious mentality is not being satisfied to just get from God but to actually be faithful enough to continue to give to God! He has called each of us to do his work while on this earth and we must not forget this once we receive the blessing!

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the first installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tomorrow for installment number two! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

TEAM NBT

We often joke about what it would be like to all work together and truly put all of our forces together. However, after all the sharing and collaboration that goes on weekly, we are in essence running joint schools from afar!  Each time we share an idea we are FIGHTING TO WIN against tried and true/outdated practices from the past!

        http://youtu.be/paC8JcgNocU

In the beginning the whole No Box Thinking mentality was something that I thought about to help reach individuals who are not being reached by traditional methods. It then went from an idea to a practice that was used at my school and the idea actually began to take flight. The leaders on campus began to use the No Box Thinking phrase or terminology with faculty, staff and students on a regular basis. The concept began to gain traction and I knew it was time to take this show on the road to help others in search of a way to reach the unreachable. 

That's when the chat was born and with the assistance of Jennifer Roach my assistant principal we began the journey of twitter chat moderators Sunday February 16 at 6:30 p.m.  The chat would trend as high as #2 worldwide the first initial night and we knew that the concept would never be the same. This was a way that we could connect with other passionate educators from all over the world and gain knowledge on how to perfect our craft. 

The group grew weekly and we then stumbled across a brilliant mind from Arkansas that consistently brought the FIRE with responses. Then one night while chatting the FIRELADY Bethany Hill took her contribution to the next level and became a key contributor to the cause. Mrs. Hill eventually guest moderated a #nbtchat that was a GAMECHANGER for her and NBT!  

The idea that was once pegged another crazy saying from the Madhatter had now actually gained another faithful and passionate educator to breathe life into it!  This was the next level type event that helped me to know No Box Thinking had actually became a way of life for many people from around the world. You see at this point we had chat members participating from all over the USA, China, Toronto, Africa, England and now even a guest moderator from ARKANSAS!  

Now verses just being a local saying at an East Texas elementary school it was becoming a movement sweeping the World! After the guest appearance it was no way that the FIRELADY could ever go back to just being a participant. She now became an active TEAM NBT leader that would take the brand everywhere that she went!  The phrase used with faculty, staff and students at BQJ would know be uttered to her, "BE THE BRAND!"  As her nickname states Bethany Hill aka FIRELADY never disappoints and always represents No Box Thinking Phenomenally!   

The next piece for the TEAM NBT was right under our nose the entire time with crafty and unique responses to question after question. You see this component was needed in order to take us all to the deep end of reflection and force us to stretch to the uncomfortable place called CHANGE!  TEAM NBT was GREAT with the addition of the FIRELADY but now with this next addition it would make the leap to PHENOMENAL!  The addition is none other than Walter "WORDSMITH" Reap from Maryland!!!! This guy will have you think and then think again about the endless possibilities to solving this riddle known as education!  He is a true representation to No Box Thinking as he posses the ultimate questions behind the questions that open the pathways to REFLECTION the new learning!  

Therefore we are at the present day preparing for the next #nbtchat to discuss the habits, procedures, rituals, essential elements of leaders and we are being lead by none other than the WORDSMITH himself!  

I am amazed at the ability and talent that the group of individuals I am apart of display on a weekly basis. We have a virtual meeting room where we share ideas and beliefs that will hopefully plant the seeds of change in the world of education! I am humbled to be able to facilitate this interaction and grateful to Jennifer Roach, Bethany "FIRELADY" Hill and Walter "WORDSMITH" Reap for their time and efforts to ensuring each Sunday night is one to remember!

So without any further a due ladies and gentlemen please throw caution to the wind, burn your boxes, excuses and watches because the time is NOW for TEAM NBT to take over the TWITTERVERSE once again!  Join us Sunday night for what promises to be an EPIC night for reflection on the PHENOMENAL PIECES of a true NBT LEADER!

Exponential Change Agents

Competent means having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance. This is a definition of a person who has done just enough to get the job done, average joe, marginal Molly or Mediocre Mike! I don't know about you but after I close my eyes to rest for the final time I don't want anyone to say I was any of the above words!!!! 

I want to go down in history as a person who pushed the envelope and flirted with insanity at a healthy level. A person who truly merged innovation and engagement with everyone that he came in contact with. An individual that could never be held down or pinpointed by anyone and was always cutting edge with his philosophies and beliefs. Now at the end of the day to some this may come off as cocky, boastful or bragadocius but to me it's a hunger and passion to simply be the best at what I do. Each interaction that I have with someone I strive to make it life altering for all involved. 

No box thinking creates an environment where we can:

Think the unthinkable

Attain the unattainable 

Engage the unengageable

Reach the unreachable 

Teach the unteachable 

Find out currency and deposit into their account. Then once a withdrawal needs to be made they can give you all that you have given them!  When one has done the things listed above they are now ready to be change agents! Please watch the video below and then we will discuss this in further detail.

http://youtu.be/jJaVud0tUVI

Through the video my attempt was to show you that in life we can increase or decrease effectiveness in several different ways. We can add or subtract to others, multiply or divide from a unit but to be the PHENOMENAL person you were meant to be one must begin to find ways to EXPONENTIALLY CHANGE others! When we are able to do this then the world as we know it today becomes a better place over night. So many times we have all complained about how bad things are in life but when we change our thought process lives can be impacted in the blink of an eye!

So after reading this post I would like for you to get up, get out and CHANGE something!

http://soundcloud.com/biggigantic/cant-hold-us-feat-ray-dalton