We recently connected with Patrick Lefler and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Patrick , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Optimism is a unique word. People often associate optimism as a trait that they inherently have, that they are born with or comes naturally. I find that optimism is a choice, an attitude and a skill that can be improved on and developed. We have all experienced a bad day but when you think about it, we really manifest that experience. I have started many days thinking, “today is going to be bad, today is going to suck” etc. etc. and through this self fulfilling mindset, that day ultimately does turn out that negative. It took me long enough when I was younger to learn to stop thinking that way. It al changed when a teacher told me once, every day is a choice, not an obligation, and that stuck. I thought about those words, just from an energy perspective. Choice versus Obligation.
When I thought of the word “Obligation”, synonyms came up in my head. Chore, job, assignment, task and burden. Does anyone want to think of a chore as a positive? When I thought of the word “Choice”, different synonyms popped up. Option, possibilities, alternatives, opportunity. I thought to myself, how do I want to approach each situation, as an obligation, a chore, a burden, or as a choice, possibility or opportunity. And that simple approach has changed my outlook on life.
Being a leader, not every situation or experience is fun, exciting, but every situation is an opportunity. I am not saying that we should be optimistic on every single situation, but we can view every situation as an opportunity. And where there is an opportunity, there is a chance for success. That success might be the positive outcome that we are striving for, or it may be the gained knowledge of how to handle a similar situation in the future. Regardless, we have to believe that the more challenging that opportunity is, the fewer people there are to be successful with in it. When you embrace this philosophy, you will see it permeate through your friends, coworkers, employees, and teams. Everyone seeks comfort, or a calming presence and this choice to be optimistic is fundamental to being an effective leader. The most recent example of this was the Covid 19 Pandemic. On March 15th, 2020, we shut down. Our Revenues went to 0, we had to issue refunds in the hundred’s of thousands of dollars and we had to face our employees and contractors with difficult news. We could have faced this angrily, saying how unfair it is, how much this sucks, or we could embrace it. Find resolve and purpose in the situation as it was an opportunity. An opportunity to be different, to be positive, to bring calm and peace to our community and do what we could, a kind of pay it forward mantra. Without being collectively positive and choosing to be optimistic, we would have never survived.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
SoCal Elite Sports is a 501 C-3 non profit and we provide development for all children 5-18 years old through sports and the lessons they teach. We have over 4000 kids come through our doors each year and it is our privilege to work with each and every one of them. Our programs consist mainly of basketball and volleyball, but we are also very proud to manage and run, with the help of some of our affiliates, the Tournament of Champions. A four weekend event spaced out throughout the school year where schools compete by grade and gender in basketball, flag football, volleyball and soccer tournaments. In fact, this current year, we are on pace to generate over $100,000.00 for the Irvine and Tustin School districts. More information can be found at socalelite.org and ocyouthsports.org.
Modern Man and coming soon Modern Woman, a nutrition and supplement company whose team originated during the pandemic. Our products are already on sale at 72 Ralph’s in the SoCal Area and online at modernmanlifestyles.com. It has been so much fun and exciting learning and growing in a new product based industry and away from the service sector.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say that the three qualities that are most impactful would be resilience, commitment, and communication.
Resilience – If the pandemic taught us anything, growth as an individual hinges on resilience. Resilience to be able to withstand internal and external factors. Every day you have a choice and face some version of resistance or doubt. You have to be resilience in your beliefs in yourself, your team, and your purpose. Ask yourself, can I, we, and our mission overcome these obstacles. There is peace to be found in the resilience. Not arrogance, but a calmness that stems from knowing that starting with you and extending outwards to your team and beyond, we are capable.
Commitment – Commitment and not in the sense of commitment to a task or chore, but to each other. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves too and that commitment to each other has to remain strong. This will prove the most challenging in the difficult times where we do not see eye to eye and in moments of crisis. Does your commitment to each other forge relationships that can withstand those difficult and often personal conversations and can it facilitate a sense that these situations come from a place of the team versus the individual.
Communication – This is extremely important. Communication in all its forms. From verbal to non verbal, to interest in people outside of work, it creates an understanding and sense of direction. I have found that most people fear the unknown, or ambiguous over a known outcome or direction, regardless of how positive or negative it is. When we know where we are going, we can prepare for the journey, but when we don’t we second guess, we act enigmatically, we begin to isolate and withdraw. Constant communication and affirmation of direction and goals will keep yourself and your team moving in a unified direction.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are always looking for folks to collaborate with. And I saw we because no one every truly does anything alone. For us, we look for the value add. Does this individual improve our team and at what cost? Do they bring an energy and passion for the long haul or are they looking at a short term collaboration? We are open to both, but want to make sure expectations are realistic and fully understood on both sides. While investors are essential, we’ve always sought out more than just a cash influx. We would want you to be a part of the team, rather than just a shareholder waiting for their ROI. If you are someone open to ideas, fearless and ambitious, our door is always open.
Contact Info:
- Website: socalelite.org
ocyouthsports.org
modernmanlifestyles.com - Instagram: ocyouthsports
socalelitesports
modernmanlifestyles
Image Credits
SoCal Elite Sports OC Youth Sports ModernMan Lifestyles
