Andy Andrews, hailed by a New York Times writer as someone who has quietly become “one of the most influential people in America,” is a best-selling novelist and in-demand corporate speaker for the world’s largest organizations. He has spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents and at military bases worldwide. Andy is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift, The Lost Choice, Island of Saints, The Noticer, and Return to Sawyerton Springs. He lives in Orange Beach, Alabama with his wife, Polly, and their two sons.
Please enjoy our short movie version of Andy’s new book published by Simple Truths, The Butterfly Effect, followed by a movie clip that highlights Andy’s transition from living homeless under a fishing pier to becoming a renowned speaker and author.
How have you been encouraged by The Butterfly Effect and Andy’s story? Who are the people in your life who have made an eternal impact on you?
“He who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exemplify the highest things.”
-Gregory the Great (450-604)
In college, I had the privilege of leading my school’s Taekwondo Club. I found it to be a fun, but demanding role. On good days, I got a great workout, developed our techniques, and had a blast with my team. However, sometimes there were bad days. On bad days, it was a challenge just to show up . . . let alone run laps, practice drills, or spar! The worst part, I noticed, is that everyone on the team seemed to be lethargic on the same day.
I have to level with you: on bad days, I felt like throwing in the towel and ending training early. However, I knew that my teammates were watching me. If I left, then my example would have been a discouragement to the team. I had to get in the right mindset and attitude to prove that our circumstances should not dictate how we act. After all, if we quit when it was tough in practice, how would we ever be able to succeed when it was tough in tournaments?
I am an avid fan of John Maxwell, which is why I was thrilled when we published his newest book titled The Right to Lead last week. The most profound lesson on leadership I took from reading that book is that before leading others, you must lead yourself. He said, “Commitment in the face of conflict creates character.” At our tournaments, my toughest opponent was never the athlete standing across from me. He was always myself, as I could never imagine winning anything without first beating my own lazy attitude. John goes on to say,
Courage teaches us what should be feared and what ought not to be feared. Only by taking action do we gain that knowledge. And from that knowledge comes an inner strength that inspires us to persevere in the face of great adversity-and inspires others to follow. In the most difficult of times, courage is what makes someone a leader.
It is no doubt that, with the year coming to an end soon, you are looking for a way to lead your team to finish strong. How do you plan on leading by example? Or, on the converse, how have leaders inspired you through example?
“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.”
-Leonardo DaVinci
As the weekend approaches we, here at Simple Truths, find ourselves in weather a bit colder than last weekend. The realization that winter has arrived is undeniable! What do [...]
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Today we celebrate Veteran’s Day by thanking those who have sacrificed and still do so for our freedom. I, personally, am reminded of classmates and friends who have voluntarily committed [...]
As Veteran’s Day approaches, I’m reminded of the brave men and women who sacrifice home, family, and comfort to serve in our nation’s military. War is not glamorous, and I can only imagine the inner strength of those who endure great suffering on behalf of their country.
Last year, I had the privilege of meeting one [...]
Today we are pleased to welcome a local web celebrity, Shawna Lee Coronado! A successful online entrepreneur specializing in green lifestyle living, Shawna Lee Coronado is also an author, locally syndicated newspaper columnist, blogger, energetic speaker, and environmental and health correspondent. Shawna’s business experience has helped her spread the positive health and simple living message [...]
