Dear PB Readers,

There are few feelings in the world that match being on a team of caring volunteers who believe in a common goal and are committed to making it a success. It could be a sports team, building a church, or the support of a local charity. This past weekend I was a part of just such a team - one hundred and fifty Canadian Cross Training Club (C3) volunteers and close friends and family who donated their weekend to help run Canada's largest Kids of Steel Triathlon in Caledon, Ontario.

The event had over 600 children participating in mini swim-bike-run races. We had over 110 children just in the 3-6 year old category alone. One of the day's highlights was the thrill of seeing seven year old Alicia Denoon participate in the event. Denoon has not had an easy life but you would never know it from the smile on the youngster's face. When she was just three years old, doctors found a large tumor in her brain and over the next three years little Alicia has had over 60 surgeries, radiation treatments and chemotherapies. Alicia's mother contacted our race organization and questioned whether one of our elite athletes could run beside her brave young daughter to ensure she was able to complete the entire triathlon. A.P., one of my elite athletes, enthusiastically agreed to run beside the motivated little girl. Seeing her cross the finishing line with the big smile on her face immediately explained to my 150 volunteers why we donated our weekend to these children. I had a number of calls from media over the weekend interested in writing stories about our success in getting kids active. While it's true that our nation's youth are getting heavier and are less active with each passing decade, it is also true that there are many great stories of children and families that never get told. If you only hear about the negative stories and families, you start to believe that nobody makes positive healthy choices. Think about a positive outcome and its chances of becoming a reality increase dramatically (read later in this newsletter about the additional stages that must also exist to ensure success). My group of 150 caring parents and community volunteers thought about making our community a healthier place and this weekend our common belief became a reality. When I got home after the race Sunday evening this email was in my "inbox" of my email.

"Hey Barrie! I wanted to congratulate you and your C3 team on another excellent Kids of Steel event. There is so much work, time, and energy that goes into this day and all of us parents and children really appreciate your efforts. The looks on the children's faces as they cross the finish line must make it all worth while for your team!! P.S. I love it that you are always at the finish line cheering each child individually and making every child feel special!"

I have always believed the collective energy of a group can accomplish more magic than you can imagine. I would like to welcome our 40 new additions to this week's Personal Best Weekly Newsletter. Our goal each week is to be a small positive contribution to your busy life. I encourage you to send ideas for stories and new members for our free weekly newsletter. Send contributions and names of new people to barrie@personalbest.ca and keep checking our website at www.personalbest.ca.

MAY 30th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* MARGARET MEAD QUOTE ON THE POWER OF PEOPLE
* SHELDON PERSAD'S THOUGHTS ON ATTITUDE
* HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS - LEARNING FROM OTHERS
* THE DIFFERENCE IN 30 YEARS
* LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR BARRIE'S JUNE 2ND GOLF DAY & SUPPER
* FINAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MARGARET MEAD

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM SHELDON PERSAD

Michael Jordan was quoted as saying "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot...and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

I love quotations. George Lucas, the creative man behind the Star Wars movies recently said "I knew it would work because everyone told me it was impossible." Daily quotations give me inspiration. I have had used a weekly positive quotation every week for the last five years. At times when I am struggling with a project or fearful of failing I glance back at some of my old quotations and gather strength. When I was only ten years old, my father and personal hero, told me the story about a man who was feeling sorry for himself. The man had fallen on hard times having lost his money and house and had only peanuts to eat. As he was wandered down the street feeling sorry for himself, he ate his peanuts and tossed the shells over his shoulder onto the ground. After a mile of feeling sorry for himself he glanced behind him and noticed someone was following him. The man trailing him was picking up the peanut shells, eating them and giving thanks for his great fortune.

How we deal with obstacles and failures teaches us a lot about ourselves. For most of us, the word failure brings to mind many negative connotations. Perhaps we shouldn't use the word failure but instead "life-lesson"! We at Personal Best would love to hear stories that inspire you or lessons that you have been able to turn into positive learning experiences. Take a few seconds to email barrie@personalbest.ca your personal learning experiences.

Sheldon Persad is a co-founder of Personal Best and is one of Canada's most respected health professionals. Sheldon is the author of two books, a television personality, and author of countless hundreds of lectures.

LEARNING FROM OTHERS

It would be easy (and wrong) to think that all you have to do is really want something and it will just happen out of sheer desire and determination. While both of these qualities are ultimately important to achieving success, desire and determination without a plan rarely achieve their ultimate objectives.

Most weeks I get a half a dozen emails from caring volunteers who want to raise money for important local causes. Each of the causes are legitimate and worthy of fund raising. I have summarized one of these emails and my response back to the person who was asking for my help. I do this, because I think it's important to fully appreciate the key reproducible steps that have to occur to ultimately achieve goals.

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Dear Barrie,

I have been reading your letters almost since they started and know that as a giving person you might be able to help me. A friend is trying to ride across America in hopes of raising $100,000.00 for the KIDS WISH FOUNDATION. After 5 months of trying through different fundraisers he has only been able to raise just under $3000.00. It has already cost him more than that of his own money to get this event off the ground. He is planning on leaving in 6 weeks and is going through a tough time, having almost given up a couple of times. My goal for writing is to ask if you can help us raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. Thank you for being there to motivate me every week!!! C.T.

BARRIE'S RESPONSE TO C.T.

I believe your ultimate goal of helping a charity is fantastic. I have seen hundreds of people with great goals come up short because they didn't have a well thought out plan. As a coach, I rarely see success in my athletes unless they have a comprehensive plan that is properly executed. In the case of our fund-raising cyclist who wanted to raise $100 000.00 for an important children's charity, it is very likely his motivation greatly surpasses his game plan.

Following this week's theme, achieving greatness through the power of a group, I believe our cyclist needs to get a team behind him before he sets out on his cross country ride. If he wants to successfully raise the money, he should likely delay his trip for a year, and spend time recruiting a team to help him achieve his ultimate goal (raising funds for the kids). His support might come from the local Rotary, a Church Group or even support from his children's school. Fundraising is rarely ever successful without a complete team approach. While most projects require one or two visionaries to drive the goal - they are only successful with a team's support.

>From Terry Fox, Rick Hansen, Rose Cherry's Place (a charity in the name analyst Don Cherry's wife) to the MS Cycling Tours it has always taken a group to ultimately achieve success. Some people are dreamers (put me in that category). Some people fulfill the details (put my wife Caron and business partner Sheldon into that category). Regardless of your special skills, you are not likely to achieve your ultimate goal without a well thought out plan and the support of numerous others who believe in your dream. My suggestion to our cycling friend is to delay for a year, gather a support team and see his dream occur in 2006 rather then 2005.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THIRTY YEARS

In 1975: Long hair
In 2005: Longing for hair

In 1975: KEG
In 2005: EKG

In 1975: Acid rock
In 2005: Acid reflux

In 1975: Moving to California because it's cool
In 2005: Moving to California because it's warm

In 1975: Going to a new hip joint
In 2005: Receiving a new hip joint

In 1975: Rolling Stones
In 2005: Kidney Stones

Remember. The teenagers starting college this fall were born in 1986 and 1987. They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up. Their entire lifetime has always included AIDS. CD's were introduced the year they were born. They have always had cable. Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show. They have never heard "Where's the beef" or "de plane - boss de plane".

LAST CHANCE TO GOLF WITH BARRIE & C3 ATHLETES

Join myself and many sport personalities this Thursday for the 3rd Annual C3 Golf Tournament for athlete Development. The June 2nd Best Ball Tournament is at the beautiful Caledon Golf and Country Club and starts at 1pm with supper and silent auction to follow. To register for the tournament, only the evening supper, or to donate some draw prizes for the day please contact Judy Riseborough at golf@c3online.ca.

FINAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

"If you must slander someone, don't speak it - write it. But write it in the sand - near the waters edge, where it will disappear!" - Napoleon Hill

TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERNCE IN THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON THIS WEEK!