Got an Idea

One of the things I love about talking to boys at Scouts is that they are full of ideas.  Walking along on a hike or enjoying some downtime, you hear so many ideas of what they hope to be and what they plan to do in life.  I do not take these lightly like simple boy dreams.  Oh no, I see them as planning the future of the world I still intend to live in, so this is serious business.

                Ideas are powerful things.  It only takes one good idea to make a million dollars.  An idea can and does change the world as we know it.  The great industrialist and founder of Firestone Tires, Harvey Firestone once said, "What is important is ideas.  If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life."

                So, what do you do when you have an idea?  Most of us think that our ideas are great and important, and they are, but we end up not doing anything at all with them.  So, what happens - they die.  I have four things you can do to keep them alive and who knows, they may be worth millions.

“A good idea is like a wheelbarrow; it will go nowhere unless you push it.”

– Unknown

Write Them Down:

                Always, I mean ALWAYS, have a pen and paper with you.  When you have an idea, write it down.  Do not think you will remember later because you will not.  How many of us have said, "I will remember this later", only to say, "What was that I wanted to remember?"  I like to encourage Scouts to write an idea down in as much detail as they can so when they look at it all will come back to them and they can use it as the foundation for a complete vision.

Take Action:

                After you have written down the idea, do something - anything - to begin the activation process.  No matter how small or large, taking action will anchor the idea in your mind and the process to see it come to reality is underway.  Make sure that every idea you have and feel is worth going for, no matter how far out or impossible it seems has action behind it.  That action is the key to making this a reality.

Build Passion:

                Passion is the fire that drives us to our dreams.  It is seeing the vision as we want it to be.  This builds excitement and enthusiasm that will keep you moving toward the achievement you desire.  Every day review the idea you have written down.  Feel the excitement and allow the fire of passion to build in you.  Now use all that energy to drive you to action and action will always bring success.

Be Persistent:

                No goal is ever achieved without hard work and persistence.  Success does not come overnight.  We have heard of overnight successes, but the reality is that is not true.  As you study the lives of successful people you will find that it took hard work and a deep determination to achieve the success that others think came overnight.

                Never dismiss your ideas as crazy or worthless.  Grab them as million dollar tickets and work them with all that is in you.  You may just have the one great idea the whole world has been waiting for.  Someone must come up with it, why not you?

                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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 1920 Giving a Hand

SOU 1919 Soldiers for Right

SOU 1918 I Trust You

SOU 1917 Know What You Believe

Gentle Giants

There are times when it seems like the whole world is hard and unkind.  The people you pass on the street frown and look like they will bite your head off if you so much as whisper a "Good Morning".  The news is full of stories of all the mean and nasty things people do to each other.  No one has a kind word about anything or anyone.  Is there no hope left in the world?

                Now enters the Super Hero.  The one who smiles at everyone with that nuclear smile that melts the hardest heart.  This hero has the superpower to say and do the kindest things with the ease of the preverbal hot knife in butter.  While the people around them are mumbling, they - the Super Heroes - are humming a happy tune and ready to win the day for goodness.

                Okay.  I admit I have gone a bit extreme here.  However, there are times in this sad world that the person who is positive, kind and happy seems like a long-awaited superhero.  Here is the best part.  Ready for this?  Are you sitting down?  You, my friend, are that hero!  Yes, you.

“The is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness.”

– Han Suyin

(1917-2012) Author

                A positive mindset and a happy heart is nothing more than a choice we make every day.  They are not gifts from on high or things we must study for and earn our "Hero" degree.  You just choose to be positive and to be kind to others.  In fact, when you act kind and happy toward others it really builds on itself and you become stronger and stronger with each passing person.

                In the Scout Law, we see that a Scout is both kind and cheerful. That is not there just to keep the boys from fighting each other. Remember that the Scouting program is designed to help young people grow into better and successful adults. These principles are not there for the time they are Scouts. These are principles for life. That is why we can say, once a Scout, always a Scout.

                Think of Scouting as your hero education. You learn how to be your best, love God, have good manners, discover the unknown and change the world. You even get a hero’s uniform to do it in.

                The world needs as many heroes as it can get.  It seems like things and going down the toilet but the truth is there are many, many people who are happy, kind and do wonderful things for humanity.  Be that hero and make a difference in the lives of every person you encounter.  As the 19th century English critic, William Hazlitt said, "A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles."  Be one who accomplishes miracles.

                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. You can read more about how the Scout Oath & Law can help you live a more successful life in the new book, Scouting Out of Uniform, available on Amazon and on the website. 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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 1916 Just as Good

SOU 1915 Giving Up

The High Cost of Words

We have all heard, and use the saying, "Talk is cheap".  What is usually meant is that most people talk more than they act.  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 points 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.

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.

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

– Chinese Proverb

                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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 1914 Don't Stretch it

Get your copy today! http://www.johnpatrickhickey.com/product/sir-robert-baden-powell-taking-the-scout-at-his-words/

Be Great When You Grow Up

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 a 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 permits and talents can 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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 1913 Imagin That

The Hard Work

One of the many important lessons that young people 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 us adults have 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 is what you wish to do, and you do your best and work hard, it is a "good job".

                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."

“Do the hard jobs first.  The easy jobs will take care of themselves.”

– Dale Carnegie

(1888-1955) Author / Speaker

                There is an important principle to learn 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.   © 2019 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 1912 Tell the World