Life, is in the struggle to maintain it. Success, is within a process, not an endpoint. 5 Ps is applicable to any endeavor. What you get out of it is directly proportional to what you put into it.
My Father, Thomas J Carroll, RIP, was from the tough streets of Southwest Philadelphia, 63rd and Elmwood Avenue, an Irish Catholic neighborhood. He was poor. His Mother, My Grandmother, Marie Sweeney, was from a tougher area, the Bogside of County Derry. She emigrated from Ireland and was a waitress. She taught my Da to be strong minded.
Da was later my High School Head Football Coach in Pennsylvania. He was hard on me, though I didn't appreciate it then. I was an undersized Offensive Guard who could run a good trap block.
We had Division I level players, including several All-State and even one All-Ameican attend Penn State, Ohio State, Boston College, Duke and other schools on full scholarships.
He always said "Preparation beats Luck" and we were always over prepared for games.
I took it to heart, especially in preparing to play given my lack of size, 5'8 and 180 pounds.
I applied to West Point but wasn't accepted and had no money for college.
I enlisted in the Army after high school at 17 and became an 11B Infantryman. Later, as an M60 Machine Gunner, I strove to be the best. I did the same becoming an Airborne Ranger.
I always strove to prepare more than ever. After becoming an Infantry Officer I tried to instill preparation in the units that I commanded and led.
Later in life I attended Da's Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony. Several former players traveled to attend. He was honored!
Later, after a few post ceremony drinks and toasts at the Induction Hall bar, Da was asked who was his most successful football player?
He looked around the room and then at me. He replied: "My Son, Mike".
I was shocked sitting amongst the former scholarship winners and All-Staters. I shed a few tears, as any Son, who wanted to earn the respect of his Father.
I served 22 years and later many more as Security Operations Officer. I then taught high school and coached High School Football.
Today, at 70 years old, I still coach High School Football. I teach my players and student-athletes, many impoverished and from broken homes in the Appalachian back woods and mountains, that "Preparation Beats Luck"....thanks Da ...
Your Father sounds like a great and smart man. Thank you for your service and for sharing this story. It is a great life lesson that everyone should learn.
Just finished your book. Outstanding combat and life lessons. Greatest respect for all Marines, especially Recon Marines and the founders, plank owners, who built the MARSOC Raiders from the ground up!
I am writing a google review ASAP! THANKS for writing it Ranger John!
“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” - F.L. Emerson
Also a great song by American Aquarium.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=the+harder+you+work+the+luckier+you+get+song&mid=1275DB3D5150F06C5A521275DB3D5150F06C5A52&FORM=VIRE
Life, is in the struggle to maintain it. Success, is within a process, not an endpoint. 5 Ps is applicable to any endeavor. What you get out of it is directly proportional to what you put into it.
Well said Russell! You can never go wrong with the 5Ps!
My Father, Thomas J Carroll, RIP, was from the tough streets of Southwest Philadelphia, 63rd and Elmwood Avenue, an Irish Catholic neighborhood. He was poor. His Mother, My Grandmother, Marie Sweeney, was from a tougher area, the Bogside of County Derry. She emigrated from Ireland and was a waitress. She taught my Da to be strong minded.
Da was later my High School Head Football Coach in Pennsylvania. He was hard on me, though I didn't appreciate it then. I was an undersized Offensive Guard who could run a good trap block.
We had Division I level players, including several All-State and even one All-Ameican attend Penn State, Ohio State, Boston College, Duke and other schools on full scholarships.
He always said "Preparation beats Luck" and we were always over prepared for games.
I took it to heart, especially in preparing to play given my lack of size, 5'8 and 180 pounds.
I applied to West Point but wasn't accepted and had no money for college.
I enlisted in the Army after high school at 17 and became an 11B Infantryman. Later, as an M60 Machine Gunner, I strove to be the best. I did the same becoming an Airborne Ranger.
I always strove to prepare more than ever. After becoming an Infantry Officer I tried to instill preparation in the units that I commanded and led.
Later in life I attended Da's Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony. Several former players traveled to attend. He was honored!
Later, after a few post ceremony drinks and toasts at the Induction Hall bar, Da was asked who was his most successful football player?
He looked around the room and then at me. He replied: "My Son, Mike".
I was shocked sitting amongst the former scholarship winners and All-Staters. I shed a few tears, as any Son, who wanted to earn the respect of his Father.
I served 22 years and later many more as Security Operations Officer. I then taught high school and coached High School Football.
Today, at 70 years old, I still coach High School Football. I teach my players and student-athletes, many impoverished and from broken homes in the Appalachian back woods and mountains, that "Preparation Beats Luck"....thanks Da ...
Thomas Michael Padraig Carroll
Your Father sounds like a great and smart man. Thank you for your service and for sharing this story. It is a great life lesson that everyone should learn.
I was blessed John.
Just finished your book. Outstanding combat and life lessons. Greatest respect for all Marines, especially Recon Marines and the founders, plank owners, who built the MARSOC Raiders from the ground up!
I am writing a google review ASAP! THANKS for writing it Ranger John!
Paddy, For God and Country
Tom,
I'm glad you enjoyed the book and thinks for the review!
Get busy training or get busy dieing - To riff off of Shawshank.
Patience
That is definitely one I often had the most trouble with!