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Overview
-- Tiger Woods, from the foreword
Are you ready for a challenge? Are you ready to make a real difference in your life, and the world around you? You can do it even if you're not Tiger Woods. You can be a winner at school, and with your friends, your family, your team. You can be the superstar of your own life. And you can start today.
Tiger didn't start out as a champion. But his father Earl taught him unforgettable lessons about dreaming big, reaching goals, and believing with all his heart that anything is possible. He showed Tiger that anyone can make a difference in the world by reaching out and caring about others. And now Tiger's dad is sharing those lessons and ideas with you, so you can be a champion at whatever you do.
Earl Woods and the Tiger Woods Foundation want you to Start Something. In this book you'll find dozens of ways you can start something new, and make the world a better place one step at a time. Some are about action, and some will just give you something to think about.
Help a little kid clean up a park • settle an argument • write down one thing each day that you're proud of • donate school supplies to a needy school • ask your parents about their day • include the kid who always gets left out • refuse to give up • and much more...
Try a few or try them all. Just try. Dare to set an example that others can follow. Dare to be great. Dare to set goals that only you can achieve.
Packed with Tiger-tested advice and creative ideas for helping others, this book offers powerful insight into how you can build the kind of confidence that makes Tiger great, create goals that can help you make your way in the world, and take practical steps when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed. As Earl writes, "You are a miracle, and you can make miracles happen. Celebrate yourself, for all the things that make you special and unique. Remember: Anyone can be part of the pack, but there is only one of you."
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780743214483 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | 04/20/2001 |
| Sold by: | SIMON & SCHUSTER |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 144 |
| File size: | 593 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Introduction
Let me tell you a story. When Tiger was five years old, he and I were watching TV one night, and there was a news program about children starving in Ethiopia. It was horrible: babies who looked like skeletons, children dying from lack of food and water. Tiger just sat and stared at the terrible pictures.
"I have a friend from high school who became a doctor," I said, "and he's there in Ethiopia trying to help these kids." Tiger didn't say a word, didn't take his eyes away from the images on the screen.
When the program was over, he got up and disappeared into his room. He returned a few minutes later, carrying a small bag.
Inside the bag was his cherished collection of gold coins.
"Daddy," he said, "would you send these to your friend so he can help those kids?"
It was a moment I'll never forget. Tiger had learned one of the most important lessons you can learn in life: You have to share and care for others. He didn't have much to offer back then, but he knew that whatever he had, it was more than those starving children could ever dream of. He saw people in need, realized that he had the power to help, and wanted to make a difference.
This book is for you and about you, to help you discover your own power and use it to make a difference. You don't have to send gold to Ethiopia; you can make a difference everywhere you go, every day of your life. At home, at school, with your friends and family, on your team, within yourself, you have the power to reach out to others, to be a leader, to achieve incredible things, to be a role model. It all starts with you.
But how do you start?
When you were born, you were perfect. Everybody is. The problem is, no one has ever figured out how to stay that way. Life has a funny way of teaching us bad habits and letting us fall into ruts we can't get out of. We learn about fear, failure, disappointment, jealousy, insecurity, and selfishness. We absorb all this negative energy that keeps us from being strong and positive about who we are and what we can achieve. But if you're determined to overcome all that and become a role model in life -- as Tiger has -- then you will have unlimited opportunities to do whatever you set your mind to.
When people look up to Tiger and think of him as someone they admire, I hope with all my heart that it's not just because he's a great golfer but rather because he's a great person. No one deserves to be a role model just because he can hit a ball; you become a role model -- a true leader -- by working hard to succeed and showing others that they can succeed too, by being the kind of person that others want to be, by inspiring others to be their best and to try their hardest. That is Tiger's goal and it can be yours, too. You may not ever play golf like Tiger, but you can follow his example on your own road to success.
It's up to you to start something, now! In this book, you'll find dozens of ways you can start something new and change your world one step at a time. Some of it involves taking action; some just gives you a different way to see the things around you. Try a few or try them all. Just try!
Challenge yourself. Dare to stand out from the crowd, to set an example for others, to lead, to shine. You have powers that you haven't even discovered yet, deep inside you, waiting for you to release them. Let them out. Use them to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. Use your power to care about others; to make solid, responsible choices; and to stand up for what you believe. Dare yourself to set goals that only you can achieve. You are a miracle and you can make miracles happen. Celebrate yourself, love yourself, for all the things that make you special and unique. You are beautiful and wonderful, and I love you.
Earl Woods
Cypress, California, 2000
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Chapter One: Something Good Happened to You Today -- Did You Notice?
It's so easy to get caught up in daily problems: Your parents are mad at you, your best friend made plans that didn't include you, that math test was impossible, you didn't make the team. Yet believe it or not, in the middle of all that stress and trouble, there are wonderful things happening all around you, if you take the time to notice. Every day, take a minute to think of three good things that happened. They can be big events, like winning a game or getting a good grade. Or they can be small, hard-to-notice things, like hearing a good joke, receiving a compliment, or making a new friend. Even on your worst days, you can still appreciate your favorite stuffed animal, a long bike ride, or your good health. Don't let yourself get lost in your problems -- focusing on a few positives will keep your head above water even in the toughest times.
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Chapter Two: What Do You Believe?
As you probably know, Tiger was born half African American and half Asian, and he is proud of both aspects of his heritage. Yet he is constantly pressed by both groups to "choose" which he is, as if there's a prize for the winning team. Through it all, Tiger has held on tightly to his conviction that he is "both," and nothing can shake that loose. It is one of his "core values," and we all need them to help guide us through life.
Core values are at the heart of every decision you make, every opinion you develop. They're an expression of what you believe, and they provide the foundation for your reaction to everything that happens in your lifetime.
What do you believe? Maybe you believe that you're smart, your parents love you, you're a good person, and you're generous. You might believe that there are angels in heaven, poor people should be helped, lying is stupid, and your red hair is cool. Identify your beliefs and let them guide you through your life. Be strong and determined to never lose sight of them. Remember, they belong to you and you alone: No one can ever take them away from you.
Tiger Says... "I am the product of two great cultures. On my father's side I am African American. On my mother's side, I am Thai. My parents taught me to always be proud of my ethnic background. That will always be the case, past, present, and future. I feel very fortunate, and equally proud to be both African American and Asian."
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Chapter Three: Follow Your Passion, Not the Pack
Everyone is trying out for the school play -- but you'd rather be in the band. Maybe all your friends are playing soccer, but you want to play tennis. Should you follow the pack, or follow your passion? It's hard to break away from your friends, especially if "everyone" is doing something together. But if you're lucky enough to know what you like, don't you owe it to yourself to stick with it? Your friends' interests don't have to be the same as yours. Why spend time on something that doesn't interest you, when you can devote yourself to something you really care about? When Tiger was a kid, no one else his age was golfing -- but golf was his passion, and he wasn't afraid to stand apart from his friends to pursue it.
It takes a strong person to break away from the rest of the group, but you'll be glad you did. You can go to their soccer games, and they can watch you play tennis. What's wrong with that?
Tiger Says... "Golf is definitely cool now, but it wasn't when I was a kid. But I kept doing it, because I loved it. I played other sports, but I didn't have the same passion."
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Chapter Four: Help a Little Kid
Remember how it felt to be little? There were so many things you didn't understand or couldn't do, and all those big kids thinking they're so great. Well, now that you're older and more experienced, it's your chance to be a real hero. Use your new maturity to help those younger than you. Instead of making a little kid feel stupid and helpless, make a point to say hi, share your seat on the bus, hold a door open, help him find his way around school, show her how to do something better. Give a kid a reason to look up to you. Wouldn't you appreciate the same kindness from those who are older than you?
Tiger Says... "People took the time to help me as a kid, and it made a real impact on my life. I want to do the same for other kids."
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Are You Ready to Make Your Own Decisions?
Now that you're growing up, you want to make some decisions for yourself and have more control over your life -- what you wear, who you hang out with, how you study, what you do for fun. And that can be tough on parents, especially when they still want to be involved in those decisions. But there are steps you can take to earn your independence, and still keep your folks involved in your life. First, be thankful that your parents care enough to be concerned -- that's their job. Second, discuss your choices with your parents. Let them know why you feel the way you do, honestly and maturely, without being defensive or angry, so they know that you've given careful thought to the decisions you're making. If they disagree, respect them enough to listen to their viewpoint. You may not agree with them, but if you want them to respect your opinions, you have to respect theirs. Finally, let your parents know that you'd like to try it your way and see how it goes -- and that if it doesn't work out, you'll be honest enough to admit you need to go in a different direction. Your parents will respect your openness, and you'll show that you've earned the right to make choices for yourself.
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Make a List of Things You're Good at
You might be the best artist, or athlete, or student in your class, but you won't be for long if you don't keep finding ways to improve. How good a golfer would Tiger be if he didn't learn new things or develop his skills? Sure, he'd have his basic talent, but he'd never know how good he could be if he didn't strive to learn, to grow, to improve.
You have room to grow, too. Write down all the things you're good at: Maybe you're a fast reader, or a talented artist, or a good baseball player, or a funny joke teller. First, congratulate yourself on your talents -- they belong to you and no one can ever take them away. Then look at your list: Challenge yourself to get to the next level. Can you read one extra book? Draw a new animal? Catch more fly balls? Learn three new jokes?
Create new goals for yourself. Dare yourself to take the next step. How good can you be? That's up to you, isn't it?
Tiger Says... "I just keep trying to improve as a player, which is something I have been able to do my whole life. That doesn't mean that I'm going to get better, but I have to keep trying. If I can look back on my career and say I improved every year, I'll be a happy man."
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation
Foreward
Dear Friends,
I challenge you. I dare you.
I challenge you to be a winner. No, not in golf, but in your own life, in whatever you choose to do, whatever you care about. I challenge you to make a difference in the world, to reach higher and farther than you ever imagined. I challenge you to start something.
Are you up for it? Are you ready for the challenge of a lifetime? Because this challenge, if you succeed, offers rewards that will change the way you think, act, and live -- forever. If you believe, like I do, that we all have the ability to make a difference in the world -- in school, at home, with our families and friends, and within ourselves -- then this book will get you started toward becoming a bigger, better person -- a role model.
Let me introduce you to my role model, my hero: my dad. When I was a kid, he taught me to believe that anything is possible, and he's living proof that it's true. He has overcome so many obstacles in his own life, and he learned the hard way that big dreams can have beautiful results. By the time he was thirteen, his parents had died and he was left to be raised by his sister. Even though there was little money for him to go to college, he was determined to get his education, and because he was such a great athlete he earned a baseball scholarship to Kansas State University, becoming the first black baseball player in the Big Eight Conference. After his freshman year, he had the opportunity to become a professional baseball player, but decided instead to stick with school so he could get his degree. After graduation, he entered the Army and eventually joined the Green Berets (one of the most dangerous and demanding jobs anywhere), worked his way up to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and fought in the Vietnam War -- twice. Later, while stationed in Thailand, he met my mom, and when they moved back to the United States, they encountered racial prejudice, as he had his entire life. And then, of course, he ended up having a son who loves to play golf, a sport that had never really been open to minorities (and certainly not to three-year-olds!). I am overwhelmed by what he had to overcome to make it possible for me to achieve my goals. I say this with great pride: I wouldn't be where I am today without him.
Believe me: Whatever he's written in these pages, he's learned from experience.
In this book, you'll find many of the ideas and lessons he taught me when I was growing up. Now he and I want to pass them on to you, so that you can find ways to make them part of your life. I use these ideas every day, whenever I have to make a decision or solve a problem, whenever I'm feeling down or frustrated, whenever I'm not sure which way to turn. I have always discovered the right answer in the lessons you'll find in this book.
He also taught me the importance of reaching out to others, helping people who are less fortunate, and sharing my success with them. The most important thing I've ever learned is to "share and care" for others, and you'll read about that a lot in this book. This concept inspired the Tiger Woods Foundation, the not-for-profit charitable organization that my dad and I created, with him as its president. Our goal is to reach out to kids just like you by supporting programs and organizations that can show you how to set goals for yourself and offer you the opportunity to turn your dreams into reality. We want to make a difference. Don't you?
As you'll see, my dad is a firm believer that dreams can come true, and I'm living proof that he's right. But he also showed me that nothing is possible if you don't work for it. That's what this book is all about: your commitment to create possibilities for yourself and for others. Nothing you read here will make you a great golfer. But if you're open to it, there is so much that will make you a great friend, a great teammate, a great son or daughter, a great brother or sister, a great student, and, most important, a great person. I hope that the suggestions and concepts you'll discover here will be as helpful and inspiring to you as they have been to me in my life.
I am committed to giving the best of myself. With your help, I believe we can make a difference in the lives of others across the world. I challenge you to join me. The time is now!
Your friend,
Tiger Woods
Copyright © 2000 by The Tiger Woods Foundation