ofbf leadership buffet youth

writer douglas adams, author of the book, "the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy", tells a great story about jumping to conclusions about people.

adams was sitting in the waiting area of a railroad station and had placed a package of cookies and a newspaper on the table in front of him.

a stranger sitting next to him suddenly reached across, opened the bag of cookies and started to eat them.

adams, annoyed, said nothing, but calmly took a cookie from the bag as well. soon the bag was empty as the men both ate from it.

when the stranger left for his train, adams picked up his newspaper - and found his bag of cookies underneath it. rather than a stranger eating his cookies, he'd been eating someone else's.

teachable moment: look to yourself first before you assume anything of another person. "otherwise", as adams quipped, "you'll wonder why it seems that someone else is eating your cookies."

what is your impact on the people around you? it might be more thank you think!

we all make an impact - either positive or negative. it is up to us to choose what that impact will be. to give yourself a bigger footprint, we need to make a few life decisions.

people are attracted to those who invest time in them as a leader and person. get into the HABIT of expecting yourself and your other volunteer leaders to cultivate new leaders by reaching out to others.

here are a few gems from the book "how full is your bucket" by don clifton and tom rath.

positive impact questions

• I have helped someone in the last 24 hours.
• I am an exceptionally courteous person.
• I like being around positive people.
• I have praised someone in the last 24 hours.
• I have developed a knack for making other people feel good.
• I am more productive when I am around positive people.
• In the last 24 hours, I have told someone that I cared about him or her.
• I make it a point to become acquainted with people wherever I go.
• When I receive recognition, it makes me want to give recognition to someone else.
• In the last week, I have listened to someone talk through his or her goals and ambitions.
• I make unhappy people laugh.
• I make it a point to call each of my associates by the name she or he likes to be called.
• I notice what my colleagues do at a level of excellence.
• I always smile when I meet people.
• I feel good about giving praise whenever I see good behavior."

thank you to the higher ground and quest staff for making an impact this summer!