Thursday, November 29, 2018

Give a gift this Christmas that will change a life. The Scout Oath & Law are more than a nice idea, it is the way to a better and more meaningful life. Get a copy of Scouting Out of Uniform for those you care about and get one for yourself too. http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/p…/scouting-out-of-uniform/


Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Talk is Expensive

We have all heard, and use the saying, "Talk is cheap". What is usually meant is that most people talk more than they do. That is true. Mark Twain said, "Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." This fact should not cause our concern about our words to weaken. The greater truth is that your word can destroy you faster than your actions. Actions are often forgotten but words never are.

                Two of the principles in the Boy Scout Law is that a Scout is Kind and he is Clean. When it comes to your words, these laws are of extreme importance. There may be many things to look at when it comes to how we talk, but I would like to focus on these two for now in hopes that they start you to thinking before you start talking.

“Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse.”
– Chinese Proverb

Kind Words
                Kids can be very cruel when it comes to the words they use. They call each other names and say hurtful things without thinking. The saying, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me", is a lie. The truth is that names stay with us for life. Broken bones heal in time, broken spirits never do.

                In teaching boys the Scout Law to be kind, we help them to see that what they say matters. No one likes to be called names or made fun of. Once a boy sees that their words can cause damage, many will pay closer attention to what they say. Likewise, using kind and encouraging words can bring healing, confidence, and friendship.

                As an adult, you would think that we know better. Sadly, adults can and often are as cruel as children. They just do it in a more underhanded way. They gossip, spread rumors and lie about others. This shows a lack of integrity and character in a person and causes more harm to the one who speaks more than to the one who is spoken about.

Clean Words
                One of the struggles that Scout leaders have is teaching young boys that swearing and using harsh language is wrong and harmful. Why is this so hard? It is because they hear it at home and on TV as if it was just normal talk. The fact that fewer people are repulsed by bad language does not mean it is now acceptable.

                Adults, at home, in business, and in social settings must be aware that the use of foul language shows a lack of character and really makes you look less intelligent. The person who cannot figure out what words to use that are not offensive is not the person you want in a place of authority and leadership.

                Be a person who knows how to use their words to encourage, show kindness and inspire. The better your language and use of words the better and more professional you will look and be. Let me end as I started with the words of Mark Twain, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

For Christmas, give your Scout a gift they can use for the rest of their lives. http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/p…/scouting-out-of-uniform/


Monday, November 26, 2018

Born for Greatness

Scouting gives a wonderful opportunity to see boys grow and discover who they are. From the youngest Tiger Cub (age 6) to Eagle Scouts, there is in each one a desire to be great. Scouting brings that out in boys. It is not an ego thing or desire for power. It is personal, deep inside each boy that tells them they can do something great. They know early on that they have the potential to do anything they want. This is why so many went on to become great leaders, astronauts, and even presidents.

                Many of us were once told when we were young that we could be anything we wanted to be. It seems to be what we tell children. Then, around our high school years, we are told that we need to be practical, be realistic and stop walking around with our heads in the clouds. The same people who told us we could be anything now restrict our dreams to what money can afford, time permit and talents achieve. Sadly, many of us buy into this far quicker than when our dreams were to be a fireman, astronaut or school teacher.

“God has placed within every boy a desire for greatness.”
– Gregory L. Juntz & Michael Gurian
Authors of Raising Boys by Design

                That ability to become anything you want has not been lost. It is still there, hidden deep inside but still alive. You know that every now and then it pops its head up and reminds you of "what could have been". You can bring it into the sunlight if you choose. It is not too late. Oh, maybe you cannot become exactly what you hoped for, but the dream can be revived and take on a workable form. You only need to choose to connect with your greatness once more.

                What is it that you want to do? If you could do anything and know that you would not fail, what would it be? What do you need to do to make that happen? All these questions need to be answered. To answer them will take courage and the ability to make decisions. But for those who have passion, determination, and real guts, anything is possible.

                Author, Zig Ziglar would always say that each one of us was, "designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness." I believe that is true. I believe that means you. The dreams you had as a child many times are the dreams you have as an adult, why? Because that is who you were created to be. So be that person and be great.

You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Do the Tough Job First

One of the many important lessons that boys are taught in Scouting is to be self-sufficient. This is not just learning how to find food in the woods, cook it on a fire you made with a few sticks without poisoning or catching yourself on fire. To be self-sufficient is the ability to take care of yourself and not depend on others to do it for you. Seems easy enough right? The fact is a good many adults never learned the lesson.
                To this day, there is no better way to be self-sufficient than to have a good job, earn your keep and be in debt to no one. The good job part varies from person to person based on what your dreams are and what your skills are. For some, it is a career in business, law or medicine. For others, it may be farming, the skilled trades, or the arts. If it wants you to wish to do, do your best at and work hard it is a "good job".
“Do the hard jobs first.  The easy jobs will take care of themselves.”
– Dale Carnegie
(1888-1955)
Author / Speaker

                Success-minded people learn the secret to doing the best job is to be willing to work and do the difficult things first. That will always put you ahead. No matter what line of work you do, there will always be those who look for the easy way, the least amount of work. If you are the one who steps up and does the hard work first you will always be in the front of the pack. As Thomas A. Edison said, "There is no substitute for hard work."
                There is an important principle at work here. Self-sufficient people know that with hard work comes freedom and reward. People who complain about working too hard will always have to work too hard. They will never find the freedom of doing what they love and earning a living that allows them to live as they wish. Author, Zig Ziglar used to say. "Do more than you are being paid to do and eventually you will be paid for more than you do." 
                Never back away from hard work. In fact, run to it, embrace it and do it well. No one ever pays for mediocre. Success-minded people, like Scouts, do their best because they are the best. Not an ego thing, just reality. Hard work is always welcome, it is always rewarded and it will always be rare.
You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey


Tuesday, November 20, 2018

For Christmas, give your Scout a gift they can use for the rest of their lives. http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/p…/scouting-out-of-uniform/


Monday, November 19, 2018

Mistakes That Profit

If I have learned anything from my involvement in the Scouts it is the old saying, "Leave it to the experts."  Who are the experts?  The boys are.  Scouting is meant to be a boy lead program.  I have seen many events, projects and games, lead by adults, fail miserably and end up not very fun at all.  I have also seen young boys, some only between 11 - 15 years old, teach, lead and demonstrate difficult tasks and make them fun and exciting.
                So why is this true?  Is it because the boys make no mistakes and know exactly what they are doing?  Not at all.  In fact, boys are likely to make many more mistakes than adults.  Here is the difference, when a boy makes a mistake they learn from it, correct and are not afraid to go back and do it over.  They do not expect perfection from themselves nor is perfection expected from the boys they are working with.
“The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.”
– Dale Carnegie
(1888-1955)
Author / Speaker

                Adults, on the other hand, think we have to get it right every time.  It is important that everyone know we know what we are doing and to make a mistake is to show you are weak, lacking and dumb.  Where do we get these silly ideas?  For the Scout, the important things are learning something new, doing it right and having fun.  For the adult, it is mostly ego and power.
                Success-minded people have much to learn from the young.  Those who are learning for the first time, those who are discovering their abilities and talents and those who are willing to fail in order to achieve the results they want.  Scouts learn that to do their best is more important than being the best.  A lesson we all need to apply to our daily lives.
                Spend time with kids and learn from them what really matters in life.  Learn that a mistake is only a lesson in doing things differently.  Learn that you can be the best by doing your best, not the other way around.  Learn that there is fun in every task, discovery around every corner and an adventure waiting for you each morning.  Do this and you will have true success in life.
You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey


Thursday, November 15, 2018

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Whistle A Happy Tune

Sometimes happy people can make you wonder. There are those people who are happy all the time, no matter what is going on in their life. What is up with that? Some may think that these people have a screw loose or that they do not face reality. The truth is, they really are the ones facing reality. They know that whether they are happy or sad, it is their choice. They choose to be happy.

                Facing the world with an attitude of happiness is not a denial that bad things are happening. Happy people choose their attitude and take control of their lives. People whose moods change as the circumstances they face change allow the world to control them. It is easy to feel bad and to allow stress and sadness control your life. You have to be strong to be happy. Only those who believe that they have the power to control their feelings can face life with a song in their heart.

                The eighth point of the Scout Law is that a Scout is cheerful. That means they have chosen to face life with a positive and happy attitude. They do their work with excellence because they are happy to do it. When you choose to face each task, challenge or situation with a positive attitude you can always do better and be better. When you see each task as an unpleasant effort and each challenge as a personal attack you never do and you sure don’t feel well.

“A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.”
– Sir Robert Baden-Powell
(1857-1941)
Founder of the Boy Scouts

                How does one get this power? First, you have to make the decision that you will not allow life to get you down. Happiness is not a fleeting emotion, it is always a decision we make. We are not happy that bad thing may happen, but happy in spite of it. When you choose to see the positive in life you will be amazed at just how much positive there is to see. Life is full of adventure, discovery, and wonders that, when paid attention to, will thrill your heart.

                Another way to enjoy a happy life it to act like it. Keep a smile on your face. You can keep happy by developing the habit of standing up straight, look up and not down and keep a smile on your face. Mark Twain once said, "If you keep smiling you will feel better and others will wonder what you are up to."

                Lastly, keep your thought positive and creative. Face each day as a new opportunity to succeed and to move closer to your dreams. In short, happiness is in your control. Others cannot give it to you, nor can they take it away. Be happy just to be you. Share that happiness with others and you will see it grow. If you have the choice - and you do - choose to be happy. It's more fun!

You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

It's Good to Be Odd

I have always found it interesting that the harder we work at being different from everyone else the more we are the same. I grew up in the 60's when the way we proved we were "nonconformist" was to conform to every other "nonconformist". Even today, people claim they are not part of the pack and their own person, yet other than their name, you cannot tell them apart from the next guy.

                There are those who really are different and unique. I like to call them success-minded people. Rather than feeling they must prove their uniqueness by piercing every available part of their body to taking rudeness to the level of an art, these people just naturally be the best they can be. Success-minded people are people who believe that character, integrity and doing the right thing is always the best way to go. They understand that doing what is right and being truthful is not a case of following the crowd but of individual choice. A choice they make with understanding and passion.

                This willingness to be unique and different from the crowd is one of the things that draws me to Scouting. For the adult, that success-minded person, it may be difficult to be different and stand out from the rest, but for a young person, it is close to impossible. It is important for young people to feel accepted and part of the group. When they decide to do right and to live a good life that helps others and stays out of trouble, they many times are rejected by the group. For an adult, making the decision to do right is just a choice, for the young it takes courage.

“There suddenly appeared in my world - I saw them first, I think, in 1908 - a new sort of little boy - a most agreeable development of the slouching, cunning, cigarette-smoking, town-bred youngster; a small boy in khaki hat, and with bare knees and athletic bearing, earnestly engaged in wholesome and invigorating games up to and occasionally a little beyond his strength - a Boy Scout.  I liked the Boy Scout.”
– H.G. Wells
(1866-1946) Author

                Somewhere in this crazy society we started to believe that to be angry, rude, self-centered and displaying bad behavior was somehow cool or fashionable. Success-minded people understand that it is in doing right and standing for a right that we really become our own person. Likewise, the Scout knows that doing right, because it is right, can mean rejection or be criticized by friends. But they will do it anyway. Anyone can exhibit a bad attitude or wrong behavior. As the late Corrie ten Boom once said, "Any dead fish can float downstream." 

                It is the time that we make the decision to be different. We choose to stand out from the crowd and be the example, not the attraction. It takes courage and determination to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. These are not the qualities you see encouraged in our schools or government. It takes a person who can think for them self and have the guts to stand alone if they must.

                Be a different breed than the rest. Be an example of what it means to not follow the crowd or to give up your ability to be you. Be positive, pleasant and encouraging to all you meet. They will take notice. As Mark Twain said, "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey

Monday, November 12, 2018

Looking for that perfect gift for someone becoming an Eagle Scout? Maybe you need a gift for that Eagle in your life, whether he is 15 or 50? Get them a copy of Scouting Out of Uniform because once you are an Eagle you are always an Eagle. http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/product/scouting-out-of-uniform/


Thursday, November 8, 2018

For Christmas, give your Scout a gift they can use for the rest of their lives. http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/product/scouting-out-of-uniform/


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

It's Possible

If I was to list all the assets that help me to succeed in life, at the top of my list I would have to put my ten grandchildren and being a Scout leader.  Why?  Because that much contact with children has revitalized my ability to believe in the impossible.  Young people really do believe that they can become anything they choose to be and that the mysteries of life are theirs to discover.  It is when we "grow up" that we begin to think the impossible is really impossible.
                I first become a Scout leader when my grandson entered Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub.  I have wanted him to be a Scout since the day he was born.  I love Scouting and believe in the program.  He is now a Boy Scout and I am too.  It is his burning goal in life is to be an Eagle Scout and to earn all 137 merit badges.  That is a big goal for an adult, let alone a teen, but not impossible for him to achieve.
“Scoutmasters need to enter into boy's ambitions.”
– Sir Robert Baden-Powell
(1857-1941)
Founder of the Boy Scouts

                Young people are like that.  They have passion and the courage to dream big.  It is the adults in their lives that too often step on their dreams and convince them that they are impossible.  Have you ever wondered where we would be today if we never stopped believing in the impossible?  What could we have achieved as individuals or as a society?  The possibilities are endless.
                My wife and I recently watched a program on the space program forming in the 1960’s. It seemed like a time when we were all full of courage and the wonder of discovery. I am not sure what all went wrong, but something did. We were willing to take risks to back them. The examples of men and women who were not only willing but excited to place themselves in danger to discover the unknown. Some tragically died in the process, but it did not stop the next group from coming forward. Today, people are fearful of words and pictures, so fearful they need “safe spaces” and therapy to get through the day. What happened to us?
                American poet, Theodore Roethke said, "What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible."  I fully agree and I desire to be one of those people.  The young people in my life give me hope that I can be.  These Scouts believe that they will become great and do wonderful things.  I believe they will too.  I will work hard to be sure they never doubt that or stop believing in the impossible.
                If my only achievement in life is to inspire one young person to reach out into the unknown and to do what has not been done before then I have lived a life worth living. The spirit of the old space program is not dead. It might be hiding somewhere, but that is why we have Scouts. A Scout is brave. A Scout can and will go where others are afraid to go and take the risks that all discoverers have taken. They will make the world exciting again.
                Take some time and get into the thinking of a child.  Go visit some Scouts or pay more attention to the Scouts in your life.  Scouts are trained to believe in the impossible.  They are given the opportunity to become anything they choose to be.  One-hundred and thirty-seven merit badges is a lot of work, but we can do it.  Yes, I said we.  My grandson, my Scout has allowed me to take this journey with him and I will not miss a moment of it. 
You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.


Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2018 John Patrick Hickey

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Getting the Right Size

When we look at the task before us in order to be successful in Scouting, business or life in general, we can quickly be overwhelmed.  Our dreams and goals should always be impossible so that we reach and grow in their pursuit.  At the same time, those impossible dreams can be more than we know how to handle.  This brings us to the old adage, "How do you eat an elephant?  One bit at a time."
                When we are pursuing any goal, it is always best to cut it down to size.  By that, I mean to plan it in doable segments.  No matter how big the goal may be, you will get there one step at a time.  Never any faster than that.  So why try to do it all at once?  Tackle your goals just one step at a time.
“Scouting is a man's job cut down to a boy's size.”
– Sir Robert Baden-Powell
(1857-1941)
Founder of the Boy Scouts

                As Scouts work on projects, whether they be badges, ranks or something a big as an Eagle project, they learn to plan things out, step by step and take it on with focus and determination. The point is never just getting it done. I know that is a battle for all of us. We all look to “Just get this done”. But Scouts learn that the process is as important as the finished project. What we do with excellence does not have to be redone. As coach John Wooden used to say, “If you do not have the time to do it right, how will you have the time to do it over?”
Here is a simple exercise you can do to help you grasp this process.  Sit down and write out your goal as clearly and in as much detail as you can.  Now answer this question: "What is the first thing I have to do?"  If this does not come to you right away, try working backward.  Look at the achieved goal and see what you did just before you achieved it, then what was before that and so on.
                When you have the first step written down, do that.  Then go to the next step and so forth.  Soon you will learn that anything is possible, one step at a time.  The full goal will always be and should be, bigger than you can handle, but when cut down to size, it is a journey you will be excited to make.  As Dr. Robert H. Schuller, founding Pastor of the Chrystal Cathedral said, "Yard by yard everything is hard.  Inch by inch, everything a cinch."
                When we take on something in big steps that overwhelm us we find discouragement and frustration. Take that same task and do it in easy to manage bits, you firn excitement, and progress. Never set yourself up to fail. Never hide from the difficult. Take that elephant and start one bit at a time. You will not only eat the whole thing in time but find he really did not taste that bad.
You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book