We couldn't be more proud of intern-turned-employee, Ryan "Smiley" Grady, for sharing his experiences with Carry The Load on the official Lake Placid News podcast! Check out the episode below!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-lake-placid/id1388667446?mt=2
http://www.carrytheload.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
We love you Harper!
What a great message:
Check out Sony Michelle's article on the Players Tribune: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/sony-michel-thank-you-georgia/
We can't thank you enough for being an outstanding student athlete at our beloved University. Go Dawgs!
Photo by Cal Sport Media via AP Images
You all know our special affinity for the Olympics. However, the games mean just a little more to us when Eagle Scouts are competing. Check out this awesome article on our Eagle Scout Olympians!
Hats-off to Saatchi and P&G. Purchasing four separate Super Bowl spots is an awfully large media buy and a tremendous gamble. Saatchi hoped to help Tide "takeover the Super Bowl" -- and takeover they did.
In a remarkably clever way.
Tide hearkened on the commercials of Super Bowls past, and assimilated their product to literally every commercial ever. Let's take a look at how they pulled it off:
With the help of David Harbour, known for his role in the Netflix mega-hit Stranger Things, Tide sets the stage for their 3 remaining executions. Harbour cuts in throughout seemingly cliche commercials to point out their common thread -- clean clothes. The :60 spot closes with some thought-provoking copy, "So, does this make every Super Bowl ad a Tide ad? I think it does."
Brilliant.
Now it's time for the hook. Here's where this campaign goes from great to something special:
As is common practice during the Super Bowl, viewers like to predict which brand's commercial it is their watching -- a chance to show off their brand awareness. The first shot in P&G's second spot seemingly marks the annual Old Spice Super Bowl splash:
Immediately, viewers were predicting, "Old Spice!". BUT hold your horses -- it's a Tide Ad!
Saatchi executes these hooks twice more capping an epic Super Bowl showing:
Again, hats off to the team at Saatchi. This is tremendous work that will certainly sell some bottles of detergent.
50 years ago, Dr. King was assassinated outside of his hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Jr. was a remarkable human, given to us in a time of great need. Racism is still alive and well today in America; and it's easy to get angry with folks who can't seem to grasp that all humans are created equal. Thankfully, Dr. King reminds us that we must show these individuals love and patience.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
It's critical that fully we understand this quote. Shouting into the wind and hurling insults at one-another doesn't help anyone. It only drives us further apart. Showing love towards those you disagree with is the only way to impart meaningful change.
"There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right."
As Americans, if we fail to address our country's current problems, injustices will continue to happen. This applies not only to African-Americans, but to all minorities and disenfranchised people a well. Today, let's honor a man who our world could certainly use today. Let's honor him by showing love to all human beings no matter the place or circumstance. Let's honor him by accepting the responsibility we have to end injustices occuring around the world.
According to holidayinsights.com, "The primary goal of this special day, is to encourage you and me to improve our health, by leaving the elevator behind, and walking up the stairs. Walking up and down stairs, instead of using of the elevator or escalator, is a non-impact activity that most of us can do. It helps us tone our muscles, maintain or even lose weight, and contribute to cardio-vascular health."
But there are added benefits to taking the stairs many don't consider. Light exercise is proven to have positive impacts on your energy levels. In a study published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics in 2008, University of Georgia researchers found that inactive folks who normally complained of fatigue could increase energy by 20% while decreasing fatigue by as much as 65% by simply participating in regular, low-intensity exercise. For those of us with hectic morning schedules, a trip up the stairs is an ideal way to satiate our body's need for low-intensity exercise. With higher levels of energy, there's no limit to the work you'll be capable of!
It's incredible to fathom the profound impact such a simple daily decision can have on your career. So next time Lenny from accounting invites you to take the stairs, tag along!
Every September, 129 Division 1 college football teams begin their year with the hope of playing a football game on January 8. We've persevered and now we find ourselves one of the two teams left, vying tonight to be crowned a national champion. We couldn't be more proud of everyone involved with the University of Georgia football program this year. The countless hours on and off the field have not gone unappreciated. Thank you all for representing our University with class and for showing the world what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog.
Tonight, this incredible season comes to an end. We've made the trip from Lake Placid to Atlanta and are chomping at the bit to cheer on our guys one last time. So with that said,
LET'S GO DAWGS!
The beginning of a new calendar year is a great chance for us to make meaningful changes toward personal and professional growth. Coming up with a New Year's resolution can be daunting task. We'd love to provide you with some thought-starters to help you get going.
Leave negativity in 2017:
I always thought this was easier said than done. With all the trials and tribulations life throws at us, it's easy to get down on yourself. However, former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz offers up some wisdom that will help us leave negativity in 2017. He said, "You'll always have one choice in life -- your attitude". Think about how incredible that is.
Practice better perspective:
You've heard the adage, walk a mile in their shoes before but what does that really mean? It means your practicing empathy. It means you're stepping out of your bubble and trying to understand someone else's. With a healthy perspective, you'll have a better understanding of how your decisions and actions affect others.
Write things down:
It's been proven that writing things down places you in a space of personal accountability. By writing something down, you make a connection between a conscious thought and a bodily action. This connection is how we get anything meaningful done. Whether it's writing down your workout or writing down some smart goals, doing such will hold you accountable. I can't stress enough how impact this simple action can be.
Write concisely:
Long-winded emails are never a friendly sight. Things are more likely to happen quickly and correctly if the message is communicated concisely.
Set S.M.A.R.T. goals:
Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely. You may have heard of this acronym a while ago, but you'll be shocked at how many people don't set smart goals. Here's the order in which I recommend building a smart goal: First, set in stone exactly what you want to happen. Anything but this outcome is unacceptable. Next, determine how you'll quantify or measure success. If you don't, you'll be chasing a finish line that doesn't exist. Now it's time to be realistic as to how long it will take to achieve this goal. Set it and crush it.
Seek out smarter people:
If you desire to be the smartest person in the room, you're only helping one thing -- your ego. By collaborating with people smarter than yourself, you'll ensure better results. You'll also learn a thing or two along the way.
10 months ago, President Trump issued an executive order setting a travel ban for certain nations in the Middle-East. What followed was the usual uproar on Twitter, sure to subdue in a few days.
One of my best friends from school, Amir, had a noticeably different excitement that day before the news broke; he had just found out his Grandmother would be making the 6,455 mile trip from Iran to St. Bonaventure to see her beloved grandson graduate.
When Amir heard of the travel ban, it left him devastated and it impacted the rest of our small campus too. Amir was one of the most well-liked kids on campus because of how he treated people -- with respect and love. It killed us to see him hurting for something completely out of his control.
Regardless of the politics surrounding the decision, the travel ban caused a good person pain. I thought to myself, if this is happening here on our small campus, then it's happening on a much greater scale elsewhere.
Later that day, Amir thanked us for being there for him after learning what his family was going through. Then, an idea hit.
If we can't outright change the law, let's at least demonstrate to other people going through this that we recognize their pain and are here to help them get through it.
That's exactly what we did. Within hours, we had a simple, succinct, and sincere event planed for later that week. On a cold and snowy February morning, St. Bonaventure stood in solidarity with those affected by the travel ban. Please click here to learn more about the event.
The power of unity was evident that day. It taught me that showing solidarity is something we all can and should do. If we as humans aren't united, then we aren't much of anything. The beauty of life is that we get to share it with other people, and if one of us is hurting, we need to show compassion and understanding. We simply need to show we care.
Unfortunately, this is only one example of a marginalized group of people. There are countless opportunities for us to step into someone else's shoes, gain perspective and show compassion. Standing in solidarity doesn't have to be taken literally. All you need to do is shift your mindset, and speak for those who cant speak for themselves. Let's escape the bubble of our daily lives and recognize that there are folks who are hurting out there. Recognizing their pain is the first step toward helping them. It's the very least we can do.
Today on #InternationalHumanSolidarityDay who are you standing in solidarity with?
Some would say the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. I would respectfully disagree and suggest a picture with Santa and an ice-cold Coca-Cola does the trick even better. In the days before the Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan, unfortunately, a picture with Santa meant taking a trip to Neiman Marcus and shelling out a small fortune.
I felt compelled to help families who couldn't afford an expensive trip to the mall to see Santa. So what did we do? We brought Santa to them!
With the help of The Coca-Cola Company, we mobilized a fleet of branded semi-trucks packing some serious Christmas spirit. These trucks traveled the world and offered families the chance to get their picture taken with Santa for free.
21 years later, the Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan is still running strong. Today, musical performances and even proposals makeup the wonderful Christmas event. I'm thankful to say we've helped spread Christmas Cheer to millions across the world.
Here at McWhorter Driscoll, we absolutely believe in the benefits of volunteerism -- not only for those in need but also those volunteering themselves. Whether your service project is large or small, your acts of selflessness have a profound and necessary impact on our human community.
We hope this video from the World Organization of the Scouting Movement helps motivate you to volunteer throughout our global community:
Today on #InternationalVolunteerDay, we celebrate 10 million #ScoutVolunteers and their immense contribution to the #Scout Movement. Thank you for your work in transforming the lives of millions of young people! Share this video and let everyone know that #VolunteersActFirst! pic.twitter.com/yZD6AWKpGA
— World Scouting (@worldscouting) December 5, 2017
Volunteering in the service to others is an undeniably important facet of a thriving global community. Volunteering is also a tremendous way to tech young people the importance of service and offers them a unique perspective they may not otherwise gain. In today's world of social media and "shouting into the wind", volunteering allows us to put our words into action and help the causes we care deeply about.
If you feel called to serve, please check out dosomething.org to see how you can help.
"This marks the eighth year of the Leadership Education and Development, or L.E.A.D., since the inaugural class in 2010. Among the prestigious group of past inductees are six-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Allison Schmitt and CBS Sports analyst Aaron Murray. The new student-athletes join 29 other current members who have previously been inducted into the academy.
Inductees are chosen based on academic and athletic success, leadership, campus and community service involvement, and recommendations of head coaches and academic counselors.
“The Leadership Academy provides an outstanding opportunity for a select group of our student-athletes to further their leadership journey,” said J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. “These students are highly motivated and engaged in the total collegiate experience, and we are proud to have them represent UGA and the Athletic Association.”
Along with encouraging leadership development and providing resources to compete for awards and scholarships, the student-athletes will have a chance to meet with local, state and industry leaders. It is one of the program's goals to have the student-athletes visit a company where superb leadership has had a visible impact on the organization and/or surrounding community.
Additionally, these student-athletes will be provided with resources to be competitive for conference and national awards and postgraduate scholarships, such as the NCAA Top VIII award, NCAA Woman of the Year award, and the SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Postgraduate Scholarship. L.E.A.D. participants will also have the opportunity to compete for a highly coveted graduate assistantship position within the UGA Athletic Association.
The 2017–18 Class of L.E.A.D. inductees are:
Post taken from UGA website.
Today, let's celebrate our many blessing by way of giving back to others. We all know the importance of giving back to our communities, and #GivingTuesday has streamlined that process.
"Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources."
It has been incredible to witness #GivingTuesday 's growth over the years -- and much of that can be attributed to social media. To learn more about #GivingTuesday, click here. Major kudos to 92Y for creating this incredible worldwide event.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! We're fortunate to have many things to be thankful for. We sincerely hope you enjoy the day spent with family and friends and are able to reflect on the many blessings we have all been given.
God Bless!
Look, as a recent graduate, I completely understand how stressful (and fun) college can be. In all that stress, it's easy to lose your sense of direction. If you're reading this and have no idea what the hell you want to be when you grow up, trust me, there's nothing wrong with that. You'll eventually figure it out. In the meantime, however, there are actionable things you should be doing while learning more about the world and discovering what you're passionate about.
It's imperative you live in the moment and take advantage of your years at school; while at the same time, work to set yourself up for future success.
Here's how I would suggest doing that:
1. Have fun: I'm putting this first because I find it most important. While at school, you'll meet some incredible people like I did at St. Bonaventure University & Oxford. Spend as much time with them as possible doing the things you enjoy. Live it up while you can -- you'll thank me on graduation day.
2. Get involved: In my interview at McWhorter Driscoll, (and at every other interview for that matter) Susan and Dill were very curious to see what kind of extra curricular activities I had gotten involved in. Your grades are certainly important, but they're not worth much if that's all you focus on. Seek out clubs that offer real-world experience and join them quickly. The sooner you get involved, the more likely you are to find yourself in a leadership position (which drastically increases your odds of landing a job).
3. Yearn to learn: Even if you're not completely sure what you want to do post-grad, take the time to soak up knowledge outside of the classroom. YouTube and the Internet are incredible tools and I would highly encourage utilizing them to teach yourself a skill! For example, if you're a marketing major, go get Google AdWords Certified. Future employers only care about two things: who you are as a person, and how you can contribute to the team. It's why I believe your skills are more important than your GPA. Make sure you leave college with a few of them.
4. Take advantage of office hours: All it takes is 1 professor to change your life. You'll have bad ones and good ones but I'm telling you one thing remains the same -- you must take advantage of their office hours. Prove to them you care about their class and their time. Not only will doing this give you browning points, but you also may also just find yourself a mentor.
Which leads to my next piece of advice..
5. Seek out mentors: A true mentor does't have to be a higher-up at some fortune 500 company. A mentor is simply someone who can give you sincere and objective advice -- they can be priceless. Not only will they help you learn more about the world, they'll help you learn more about yourself. I've found that your professors make the best mentors. However, fellow students can also provide words of wisdom when you need them most. No matter who it is, find that person and heed their advice.
6. Spend some time interning: An internship a great way to discover what you enjoy, it's also a great way to discover what you don't. Before I began my journey in advertising, I was once an aspiring journalist. I sought out an internship at a local TV news station, and man was it awful. Though through that experience, I learned journalism just wasn't for me. I'm extremely thankful I learned this while at school when I still had time to switch my major.
7. Learn how to write: I used to think good writing meant using fancy words. Now, I understand it what it really means -- getting your point across clearly and concisely. No matter your profession, writing is inevitable. The best part is, all you have to do make it a strength of yours is practice.
8. Study abroad: Traveling to a foreign country teaches you invaluable life-lessons and skills you can't learn in the classroom. Studying abroad gives you a global perspective which is becoming more and more important in our global economy. Not to mention it looks great on your resume.
And there you have it.. The only 8 pieces of advice you'll need to succeed at college. I'm kidding of course, but these bits of knowledge will certainly go a long way to ensuring your making the most of your investment.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out -> will@mcwhorterdriscoll.com
Today, we thank the men and women in our great nation who've put others above themselves. We can learn, everyday, many lessons from our Veterans; but today, let's simply and sincerely say, thank you.
Dill was in a meeting last week and someone asked, “how do you stay positive?” It brought a smile to his face as Bryan Brousseau, an early ignitor, popped into his memory. They were in Seoul, South Korea bringing the Olympics to Life working with Coca-Cola on the 2004 Global Olympic Torch Relay. Everything that could go wrong with the stage video screen was going wrong, and we had less than one hour to fix the screen before the big event began. Some of the team was panicking. Small detail that this was Samsung’s Worldwide Headquarters, and Samsung was a major sponsor along with Coca-Cola for this Olympic Torch Relay. The Samsung team was understandably getting quite upset. Dill grabbed Bryan and escorted him around a corner out of sight and said, “We must not panic, We can do this!” Bryan looked at Dill and said, “Let’s make this a Yegative!”
In life, we all have moments like these. Thank you Bryan for reminding us to just turn those Negatives into “Yegatives”! The Torch arrived a bit late, the video screen got fixed, and the show was one of the best of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.
We are certain that if you approach everything you do with a “Yegative attitude”, you will always have a great outcome.
