JAMES McPARTLAND'S BLOG

Access Point <GENERATE INSPIRATION> "You have a responsibility to be great. Do not wait to be inspired to do your best work, do your best work and inspiration arrives. Greatness requires that you invest significant resources in the person that you have the potential to become." - James K. McPartland Many of us wait for that ideal moment to make a call, start the new business, begin writing the book, create magic in our relationships, or to allocate time and energy into our ow

As mentioned on the inaugural edition of "Access Points", I am writing a personal book of quotes. Many of you were kind enough to send me your thoughts, and I am inspired by your support and heartfelt encouragement. As a result, you can now expect to receive "Access Points" weekly, and an "Access Performance" newsletter monthly. The weekly format is designed to be a brief dose of thought-provoking inspiration, the monthly edition is published as a story of an individual who

“When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it – but all that had gone before.” – Jacob Riis, Photographer and Journalist In my work with leaders, professional athletes, and executives, I am often asked the “how” question: HOW do we grow, HOW do we get stronger, HOW do we g

“You must honor your word and stand up for something or else you are going to get run over by everything.” – Unknown Author In each company I work with, and with every executive I encounter, the concept of integrity is a key topic of our conversation. By definition, this means doing what you say you will do, in the way and manner it should be done, and communicating to others if the commitment can not be made. All too often we say yes, give our word, or allow our communicatio

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about.” – Unknown The most inspiring people I have ever met – those that have led an amazing life – seem to only disclose the intriguing elements of their journey when pressed to share. There is an aspect of reluctance, of not holding interest in themselves as much as in others. It is not that they lack confidence, powerful life experiences, or wisdom. It is that the

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.” – Thomas Morrell, Librettist We have all heard or can appreciate these statements: * “It is not what you say, it is what you do.” * “Your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear what you are trying to say.” * “People hear what they see.” Although the holidays are now behind us, there is still one “gift” we get to give daily: our example. And, there is one specific focus that can lead to demonstrating a power

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is key to unlocking our potential.” - Sir Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, former British Prime Minister Many of us have heard the quote: “Never give up – never, ever, give up.” Put another way, continuous effort with a focus on where you intend to go will allow you to overcome obstacles and reach an intended outcome. As long as we keep moving forward, progress is inevitable. It is when we stop, believe the critics, doubt ourse

In my work I am frequently asked about failure: how to cope with it, how to realize that it may be inevitable, and how to address the stigma that is often attached to it. My reply is based on my own personal experience – my own setbacks. The lessons do not come to us when things are going well; they come from failure, disappointment, loss, and mistakes. We only grow when we are learning, and some of our most powerful education comes from our own “failure”. Failure is only a l