Mark McIntosh's Blog, page 43

This week's Pep Talk Blog: "Listen, Trust & Obey"

The first major Fall 2009 snowstorm was descending upon the Mile High City but my darling girlfriend and I, craving our favorite Mexican food, headed out into the elements for tacos al carbon and carnitas – weather be damned!

Trying to be a gentleman, I pulled in front of Benny's, to allow the successful businesswoman to jump out and walk right into the thriving restaurant. Then I drove around to the back of the establishment and parked in a deserted lot. It wasn't Benny's designated lot but I...

This week's Pep Talk Blog: "Bound and Determined"

The world was transfixed recently on Colorado and the drama unfolding as the "Balloon Boy" saga captured imaginations, stoked fears and ultimately, had us wondering, what the heck is going on here?

There has been much debate about the craziness of it all, including the welfare of the three children, but this Pep Talk is not about that. It's about Denver Post columnist Tina Griego's thoughts concerning the event. Her focus was a law enforcement officer, the first person to reach the UFO-looking...

This week's Pep Talk Blog: Discipline Does It"

It was a beautiful Colorado fall Sunday morning and I'm slowly driving – should have biked I know – the eight blocks south of my home to the gym. Suddenly, my path is blocked: the fourth Denver Marathon is weaving through the neighborhood. "How far into the race are they?" I asked the police officer directing traffic and safeguarding the runners. "They're about halfway." he answers with a grin.

Idling in my car, waiting for them to pass, I thought of my own marathon experiences, I've run three...

This week's Pep Talk Blog: "If Only for Curiosity"

I recently joined almost 19,000 other people for a "Get Motivated" seminar at the Pepsi Center in Denver. It was a day chock full of inspiration and information about, as I like to say, turning life's lemons – the heck with lemonade – into sweet and savory margaritas.

One of the featured speakers was Colin Powell. When he talks about leadership, it would be wise for us to listen considering his resume: four-star general, former national security advisor and secretary of state to name just thre...

This Week's Pep Talk Blog: "Opponents as Allies"

A friend recently needed a ride to a counseling appointment. I was honored to assist. While this wonderful human being chatted with a psychologist about life's challenges I sat in the waiting room, reading. My attention turned to a recent edition of Psychology Today and an article about the three Emanuel brothers: Rahm, chief of staff to President Obama; the eldest Zeke, head of bioethics at the National Institute of Health; Ari, a Hollywood super agent and inspiration behind HBO's hit show E...

This week's Pep Talk Blog: "A+: Leno's Imagination"

One of the real blessings of my life is, often, others ask me to be master of ceremonies for their various events, whether the event is to raise money or awareness. I love helping organizations achieve either productive goal.

Recently it was my honor to perform such duties at an event for Savio, www.saviohouse.org, and its mission to, as the website says: "offer comprehensive services that strengthen families, prevent child abuse, neglect and delinquency." This wonderful evening also included...

This week's Pep Talk: "The Roller Coaster called Life"

There are moments in a parent's life when it is tempting to do whatever necessary to erase the frustration and sadness present on our children's faces and permeating their souls.

I had one of those recently – shared by my daughter's wonderful mom too – as we witnessed our beautiful and moody seventh-grade darling have one of those "days."

This day started with much elation: Rachie finally, after much discussion, was allowed to get contact lenses. No more squinting to see the teacher and instru...

"Set Me Free"

Whenever I have a chance to write, or speak, about effectively dealing with change, challenge and adversity, the message always includes this thought: "be limited only by imagination, not fear, in creating productive choices to the challenges we face."

It's my belief that type of attitude is the key to success to whatever ails us: at home, work or community. We have to put fear and self doubt aside, and as the Comeback Coach likes to say "allow wonderment to win."

That's an accurate description...

"Trust is Key"

It was troubling, at least for me, to see the bickering that preceded President Obama's message to our nation's school children about the importance of working hard in school, graduating and becoming productive contributors to our society.

I think it exposes a deeper challenge to our nation's future than improving the achievement scores, graduation rates and career/educational opportunities for our nation's youth. Without question these challenges are real, but the backlash to the president's ...

"Curious not Callous"

I'm a huge fan of social networking. It's an amazing way to connect with others on so many levels: business and personal. I really enjoy reading what others are up to as they "post" information on their personal page.

Recently a long-time colleague from my sportscasting days posted: "I'm so glad my daughter convinced me to go up on the roof with her and watch the Perseid Meteor shower. It was amazing." The celestial light show, with 100 shooting stars an hour, occurs once a year as the earth p...