We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Marco Walder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Marco , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
An author by the name of John Ruskin once said, “Unless we perform a divine service with every willing act of our life, we never perform it at all.” As I end each successful chapter of my life and begin to write another chapter that will be even more amazing and filled with success, I make sure I take the time to CARE. To CARE means to Create, Apply, Run, and Evaluate your workable plan. Taking the time to CARE is a great way to ensure your next chapter adds to your book of life that will become a best seller.
When I begin a new chapter in my life it is the best time for me to CARE more than I have ever cared before. During my previous journeys towards success, I faced difficulties that tried to knock me off my path. I encountered people who did not believe I possessed the skills to accomplish the goals I achieved. In addition to those obstacles, I was presented with various challenges that could have derailed my plan and prevented me from reaching my goals. While all those situations hold their own merit, one of the biggest challenges I faced before any of those successful journeys began was seeking to find a way to overcome the doubt that lived within me.
Doubt is a word that means a lack of conviction. The word doubt has also been paired with words like uncertainty, unsureness, indecision, hesitation, and hesitancy. Doubt is something that is real and lives inside all of us and will continue to grow within all of us as we continue to move forward in life. Nevertheless, the key to overcoming doubt involves a process that I have already began to master. At one precise moment as I pondered pursuing a dream, discover my purpose, or to chase a goal I agreed to remove that doubt.
I decided to be certain, I became sure, I made a decision, a decision which at one time was hesitant, but at this precise moment it was not one of hesitancy. I chose to be confident, I convinced myself that I wanted to be better. At that defined moment I trusted myself and decided to walk into my purpose and my winning season.
By choosing to walk into my winning season I made a decision to take on a challenge. The challenge I will take on begins the moment I begin to CARE. When I begin to CARE I will take on the challenge of striving daily to defy the odds. I learned how defying the odds can have a huge impact on your life because it is a great way to get ahead while also getting even. I learned the best way to show the world that you are walking in your purpose and into your winning season is to CARE. My purpose was discovered when I decided to CARE and focus on doing Heartbeat Work.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My mission is to be an advocate for improving the academic performance and higher education graduation rates of all students and student-athletes by educating, motivating, and inspiring individuals of all ages all over the world.
I strive to be a voice of hope and possibility through my educational tutoring and consulting services, inspirational speaking, life-skills and NCAA rules and regulations workshops, self-help books and much more. Relying on a spiritual foundation, my intention is to positively influence people from all walks of life as they seek to progress, embrace, and overcome their daily challenges and continue to grow and enhance their lives.
I am an educator, author, mentor, and inspirational speaker. A native of Dallas, Texas, I earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters of Education in Secondary Education from Alcorn State University. I also earned my Doctorate of Education in Sport and Athletic Management from Northcentral University.
During my undergraduate matriculation, I was a four-year letter winning football player and Dean’s List scholar. I am a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated and an active member in my community. I attend Concord Church Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Bryan Carter.
When I am not delivering motivational messages and speeches, I serve schools across Texas as an Education Consultant. With over 20 years of experience in education. I have served as a K-12 Classroom Teacher, Campus Administrator, Instructional Coach, Special Populations Teacher and Administrator, and most recently as a Math Implementation Specialist.
I work with districts across the state, and I am exceptional at building relationships, providing concrete solutions for teachers, training and coaching campuses, and making sure everyone involved in the education of tomorrows future is invested in the work. My responsibilities are to assist schools and districts with math implementation, professional development, and best academic practices.
As a published author I have authored several books including my latest children’s math book series, “The Math Tales of Mathias”, I have also authored several other titles and numerous articles. I also operate a small business, We OWN LLC and a clothing brand, “Success Is Contagious” and all products are available at www.marcowalder.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The words that have allowed me to achieve success came from a mentor I had years ago. He taught me to focus on 4 things.
- Put God First.
- Stay Focused.
- Stay Sharp.
- Treat People Good
The late great UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden, defined success as, “A peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” Success is an attitude, and it begins by having a winning mindset. When you develop a winning mindset “Others Will Notice” and “Success Is Contagious”.
To experience success, you must create a plan. This plan must be tailored to your life measurements because it must fit who you are. This plan must fit who you are if you desire to move into being the person you want to be. This plan must be a workable plan. What I mean by a “workable plan”, this plan must be something that you are capable of doing. A great way to decide if the workable plan you create is one you can actually carryout is to take an inventory of the current gifts and talents you possess and see how they support your workable plan. Many people discover their gifts and talents early in life. While others discover their gifts and talents later in life.
Nevertheless, the key is to continue to evolve and learn more about yourself as life goes on and your gifts and talents will continue to evolve as well. Focusing on understanding and developing your gifts and talents allows you to put yourself in a great position to create a plan that is workable for you. In order to make your plan workable align this plan with your passion and the purpose you have for your life. By aligning your workable plan with your passion, you create a strong liking and desire which will help you stay devoted and committed to your tailored plan. In addition, aligning your workable plan with your purpose in life also keeps you aligned with God who is the overseer of your passion, purpose, and workable plan.
Proverbs 16:9 states, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” As you align your workable plan with your passion and your purpose you plant a seed in your heart in which God will nurture and allow you to give birth too. Allowing God to order your steps is important for your journey because your workable plan for success will also take you down roads filled with many failures.
However, allow those failures to be “God Time” rest areas that supply you with discernment, perseverance, and wisdom as you continue down the roads of success. After you create your workable plan be careful who you share your workable plan with. The hardest thing to do in life is help someone envision the dreams you have for your life, and the work it requires to make those dreams come true. Be careful who you share your workable plan with because if they do not understand your dream, they will not understand your workable plan.
Subsequently, if they cannot understand your workable plan, they will not be able to understand the sacrifices and compromises you will make for those dreams to become a reality. Often times many people see the finished product. Not the rough draft, hundreds of setbacks, and failed attempts that have made you who you are today as you walk into your winning season.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed I find ways to relax, release, and relate. I do this by playing golf, listening to uplifting music, and walking and talking to God. As I enjoy this time I begin to I evaluate my workable plan. This is the time I want to review my results. Take the time to reflect, look at the pros and cons, count my wins versus my losses and make those necessary adjustments to ensure I continue to move my dream in the right direction and most importantly show success that I CARE.
The advice I would share is when you continue to work to be better and show the world that you CARE, you may find yourself becoming different. As you become different do not be afraid to walk alone. Be comfortable enough to stand away from the crowd and remember, no one owes you anything in life, however you owe yourself the opportunity to have everything you want out of life.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
The most important component of CARE starts and ends with you. Make it a priority to know you, be you, love you and never forget to celebrate you. Learn to toot your own horn because many times that may be the only music you hear. One thing about the journey towards success, it can certainly become a lonely one.
Looking for external praise can be something you may not always receive. When those times come you must be able to look deep inside yourself and find a reason to, “celebrate you”. Find ways to celebrate and rejoice over your small accomplishments because these moments will motivate and inspire you to keep going as you pursue bigger dreams. If you are always depending on someone else to toot your horn, you could easily find yourself in a state of depression and giving birth to a feeling of failure. These feelings are not ones to live with so learn to celebrate you.
Psalm 118:24 states, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Each day is a rich and precious gift from God, with new grace and new opportunities. With God’s grace and each new opportunity He provides you, rejoice and allow every day to be a day, you to celebrate you for the rest of your life as you walk out of each winning season and into your next.
And more importantly always remember “God gives us all we need to go get all we want.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marcowalder.com
- Instagram: drmarcowalder
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMarcoWalder/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarcowalder/
- Twitter: @Marco_Walder
