The Rudy Syndrome

Predictions for 2010

Atty Jones — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:24:00 GMT

It's January 1, 2010. As per our long-standing, two-year tradition, it's time to make some predictions about the year to come. As we disclaimed last year, we don't really know if these things will happen, but given our 7.5 out of 10 track record from our 2009 Score Card, it's possible at least 75% of the following will come true.

1. Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor of Arizona, will step down, return to Arizona, and run for Senate against four-term Senator and former GOP Presidential Nominee, John McCain (R-AZ).

2. The decline in the commercial real estate market in 2009 will turn out to be just the beginning of the devastation for commercial properties, as commercial tenants fail and major commercial developers declare bankruptcy.

3. The stock market will dip significantly again, trending toward 8,000, before it begins to regain lost ground.

4. The "call it twenty-ten" movement will catch on and, by the end of the year, 2010 will be ubiquitously referred to as "twenty-ten" rather than "two-thousand-ten" or "oh-ten." As a side note, oh-ten would make the year 20,010, which is a really long time from now.

5. Voters will declare the 2010 elections a time for new representation in Washington, which means the Republicans will gain significantly in both the House and the Senate, as incumbents are run out of office by the dozens.

6. Wealthy families all over the country will take in and provide for needy kids as Baltimore Ravens star, Michael Oher's, story inspires people to reach out and care for kids who would benefit from having a family and stability in their lives. If you aren't familiar with his story, see the movie Blind Side, which tells the true story of the Tuohys, the Memphis family who adopted Oher when he was in high school.

7. Health Care Reform will stall as the discussion between the House and the Senate devloves into an old-fashioned, knock-down, drag-out debate over abortion.

8. More and more Americans will begin to stock pile ammunition, guns, food, and water as concerns over the decline in the social fabric lead citizens to a survivalist mentality, where they believe they have to take basic survival matters into their own hands. This will make already hard-to-find ammunition and guns virtually impossible to buy.

9.Because we still believe we were right on this one, but just slightly off on the timing, we are repeating this 2009 prediction: Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will regret firing Head Coach Mike Shanahan when Shanahan is picked up by another NFL team, beats the Broncos, and makes it to the playoffs in his first year with his new team.

10. Churches and other places of worship will see increased attendance as people seek solace from the economy (which will continue to decline) and unemployment (which will continue to increase).

There they are, friends. Ten predictions for 2009. Of course, if you have any of your own predictions, let us know.

Be great in twenty-ten. And, always develop your skill on par with your talent.

Happy New Year from the Rudy Syndrome!

2009 Score Card

Atty Jones — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:53:38 GMT

As 2009 comes to an end, it's time for us to look back on our predictions for 2009 and see how well we did. Overall, 2009 turned out to be the year of health care, economic downturn, the War in Afghanistan, and Michael Jackson. We did predict some of that, but let's take a closer look and see exactly where our inexpert predictions landed.

Here is a recap of our "predictions" article:

It's January 1, 2009. This seems like a good time to make some predictions about the year to come. We don't have a crystal ball, nora window into the future. We don't even have a set of Tarot cards. These are just random predictions that may nor may not happen.

1. Caroline Kennedy will be edged out by Andrew Cuomo as Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) replacement to the US Senate.

TRUE/FALSE. We get half a point on this one. Caroline Kennedy was edged out, but not by Andrew Cuomo. Instead, by Kristen Gillibrand, a Congresswoman from New York.

2. The stock market will continue a gradual decline toward 7,000 before it bottoms out and begins to regain lost ground.

TRUE. The Dow Jones Industrial Average bottomed out at approximately 6,500 on March 9 before gradually gaining ground to close the year at around 10,500.

3. The $1 Trillion in bail outsto the insurance, automobile, and banking industries will only be thebeginning of the extent to which the federal government is required toprovide relief to failing American businesses.

TRUE. A second stimulus package, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), was passed in February, thus encumbering the federal government by another $787 Billion.

4. Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will regret firing Head Coach Mike Shanahanwhen Shanahan is picked up by another NFL team, beats the Broncos, andmakes it to the playoffs in his first year with his new team.

FALSE. As of today, Mike Shanahan has yet to be hired be another football team.

5. LA Lakers Coach Phil Jackson will win his 1,050th game as an NBA Coach.

TRUE. As of this writing, Phil Jackson has won 1,063 games as an NBA Coach. Congrats, Phil!

6. The new Administration will find it impossible to keep up with its promise to bring home all non-combat troops from Irag within its first sixteen months.

TRUE. In February, President Obama announced his plans to withdraw "most U.S. troops" from Iraq by the end of August 2010. To comply with the campaign promise, all troops (not most) would have to be withdrawn by May 2010.

7. Congress will have a steadily improving approval rating as it begins towork on issues like global warming, health care, immigration, andsocial security.

TRUE. Congress started the year with a 21.7% approval rating and saw it improve slightly to 27.4% to close out the year. Turns out health care was a huge dissatisfier. Congressional approval ratings took a huge hit during the second half of the year, however, as most American disagreed with the actions taken by Congress relating to health care reform.

8. Card Check legislation will be narrowly defeated in the US Senate after passing easily in the House.

FALSE. Neither the House nor the Senate passed the EFCA legislation in 2009.

9. An entire community of financial affiliates will go down with Bernard Madoff and his ponzi scheming friends.

TRUE. Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 felonies in March. Since then, at least a dozen individuals and entities have been linked to the massive investment scam.

10. The divorce rate will go down for the first time in years as morefamilies stay together, for better or worse, out of necessity, due tofinancial restraints.

TRUE. The divorce rate in the US is said to be at its lowest level in 37 years.

Bottom line: 7.5 out of 10. Certainly not a home run, but not bad for amateurs.

Stay tuned for predictions for 2010.

Happy New Year!

Farewell Tim McKernan

Atty Jones — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:52:00 GMT

If you ever watched a Denver Broncos game, you will know the incredibly enthusiastic fan people in Denver simply called "The Barrel Man." He showed up at Broncos games for decades wearing nothing but a barrel, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots. His name was Tim McKernan. He was the father of my childhood best friend. And, he did not have the Rudy Syndrome.

Although he only started wearing the Barrel in 1977, Tim had been attending Broncos games since 1969. He only missed four games in 40 years. As kids, his daughter and I thought he was crazy for standing outside in the dead of winter wearing nothing but a metal barrel. In retrospect, I know he was a person dedicated to a mission. And, you have to respect that.

One part of Tim's life that was almost entirely missed by the media when covering his presence at Broncos games was his endless devotion to kids. He was notorious for providing a home to numerous foster kids over the years. His big heart for the Broncos was obvious, but Tim had a big heart off the field as well.

Tim went home to be with the rest of the Super Fans in Heaven recently. Many articles discussing his intense loyalty to the Broncos have been written in the past few days. One thing stands out among all the tributes: Tim McKernan was a fan with passion. He was perhaps the best known and most loyal fan in the history of the National Football League. If he had been a little shorter and from a small town in Indiana, his name might have been Rudy.

Thanks, Tim, for reminding us that you can develop your skill on par with your talent regardless of your area of passion. We will miss you.

In memory of Tim McKernan. 1940-2009.

A Wish for a Leader

Atty Jones — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:58:00 GMT

We have a guest author for this post. Thanks to my friend, Curt Gentry, who found this anonymous article on leadership in his extensive research on the subject matter. If you happen to know the original author of this inspirational piece, let us know so we can give them proper credit.

A Wish for a Leader:

I wish you could know how it feels to run with all your heart and lose -- horribly.

I wish you could achieve some great good for mankind, but have nobody know about it except you.

I wish you could find something so worthwhile that you deem it worth of investing your life in it.

I hope you become frustrated and challenged enough to begin to push back the very barriers of your own personal limitations.

I hope you make a stupid mistake and get caught red-handed and are big enough to say those magic words, "I was wrong."

I hope you give so much of yourself that some days you wonder if it's worth all the effort.

I wish for you a magnificent obsession that will give you reason for living and a purpose and direction in life.

I wish for you the worst kind of everything you do, because that makes you fight to achieve beyond what you normally would.

I wish for you the experience of leadership.

Farewell Michael Jackson

Atty Jones — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:34:00 GMT

Today, the world lost a musical genius and legend. I lost the person I have used as an example of the perfect combination of talent and heart since I first started talking about the Rudy Syndrome in 1993. Michael Jackson's contribution to the world of music is profound and will never be forgotten.

Thanks, Michael, for being the ultimate demonstration of what you can achieve when you develop your skill on par with your talent.

In memory of Michael Jackson. 1958-2009.

This is Your Life

Atty Jones — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:12:00 GMT

This morning, the pastor at church delivered a sermon titled, "This is Your Life." He came at the issue slightly differently than we do, but essentially, the message was the Rudy Syndrome, in spades. His point was simple: this is your life, what are you doing with it?

How many times have you heard someone blame someone else for the circumstances in their life? Their parents did this or that to make them this way or that way; their teachers didn't inspire them to learn; their boss failed to give them opportunities; or, my personal favorite, someone hurt their feelings. You've heard them all before. This is excuse making, plain and simple. And, it's one of the classic symptoms of the Rudy Syndrome. Do you need to stop blaming others? Maybe it's time for you to admit this is YOUR life.

This may seem harsh to some people, particularly those who have had a difficult past. But, isn't it time we stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for our own actions? We aren't saying life's circumstances don't help shape who we become. On the contrary, each experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. Some experiences are more difficult than others. We get that. Sickness, tragedy, crime, natural disaster. There are plenty of life events that challenge us. We are just saying this is your life, not someone else's, and it's up to you what you do with it.

That's right, it is up to you what you do with your life. We have to stop the I'm-a-victim-someone-hurt-me mentality that is gripping lives and keeping people from achieving. We have to move away from the psycho babble finger pointing that tries to place responsibility for our stupid actions on anyone but us. We have to insist on excellence, rather than mediocrity, in all we do. And, most of all, we have to admit that we make choices every day and those choices collectively determine who we are and what will happen to us.

A disclaimer for the dedicated pesimists: Don't get the wrong impression here folks, we understand there are greater forces at work. Sometimes you get stuck in challenges, like Job. Again, we get that. We are talking about the things you can control. It's important to keep in mind that even when bad things happen, we still have to press on and make the best choices in the totality of the circumstances.

This is your life. You only get one chance to live it. So, take responsibility for it. Stop pretending like it's someone else's fault when you fail to achieve. Get off the couch and develop your skill on par with your talent.

It's up to you.

People treat you the way you let them treat you.

Atty Jones — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:28:00 GMT

In 1987, my very good friend, Sheila, said something to me that was so profound, I never forgot it. She said, "Christine, people treat you the way you let them treat you." This was appropriate in the context of our discussion 22 years ago. But, it is also relevant to life in general. If you believe it and live it, you will be amazed at how your life will change.

People who know me will probably roll their eyes at this article. (Yes, Douglas, I can hear you sighing as I type this.) People who know me well have all heard me say this saying a thousand times. So has every class of high school students I've ever taught, every swim team I've ever coached, every colleague I've ever mentored, and every friend or family member who I've counseled through a difficult situation. Sometimes, people don't want to hear it. They would rather sit happily in their funk and make excuses for what's happening to them.

The good news is, those who are willing to respect themselves and to earn, and then demand, respect from others will almost inevitably be happier and more well adjusted than those who let others treat them badly. And, it works in just about every context. At school, at home, at work. Really, people treat you then way you let them treat you.

How are you going to let people treat you in life? It's up to you to decide.

What are the Symptoms of the Rudy Syndrome?

Atty Jones — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:57:00 GMT

Last week we got an email from one of our readers, Carol, from Denver. The subject line was typed as "The Rudy Symptom" instead of "The Rudy Syndrome." It was an unintended typographical error, but it struck a chord. Maybe we should do a series of articles about the symptoms of the Rudy Syndrome. After all, any diagnosis starts with a discussion of the syndrome's symptoms, right?

So, here we go.

Symptom: Laziness

Laziness, as it relates to the Rudy Syndrome, is indicated by a failure to act, despite an ability to do so. Some of the keys to developing your skill on par with your talent are hard work and determination. Sitting around and doing nothing will get you nowhere. Laziness keeps people who have talent, but not heart, from reaching their highest and best potential. Therefore, it is one of the key symptoms of the Rudy Syndrome.

Laziness can take on many different forms. It can be as simple as not putting your best effort into soccer practice one day. Or not taking time to proof read your work one last time to ensure there are no errors. Or skipping the reading for your class the next day. But, it can also be something much more serious like not taking care of your health. Or not putting in the effort to excel at school. Or not going to school at all. Yes, laziness comes in many degrees of severity. Regardless, it is never good.

And, we aren't the only ones who think laziness is bad:

Voltaire said, "To cease to act is to cease to exist."

Thomas Jefferson said, "Determine never to be idle... It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."

Henry Ford said, "Nobody can think straight who does not work. Idleness warps the mind."

In fact, laziness (or sloth) is even included as one of the seven deadly sins (See, e.g., Hebrews 6:12, Matthew 25:26).

We might borrow that Henry Ford quotation from time to time. It sums up so much about how to avoid the Rudy Syndrome in twelve simple words.

Remember, the Rudy Syndrome happens when people of whatever talent level fail to develop their skill on par with their talent. We aren't talking about people failing to act who do not have the ability to do so. This symptom relates to intentional and knowing acts of laziness. We rarely hear from people who say they want to have the Rudy Syndrome. But, we occasionally hear from people who are not ashamed to be lazy. This is difficult for us to relate to, but it is not surprising We live in a time where mediocrity is rewarded. Let's see what we can do to inspire ourselves and those around us to refuse to be lazy. It really is an issue of mind over matter.

You have to get up, get out, and get to work. And, refuse to exhibit the symptom of laziness in your quest to avoid the Rudy Syndrome.

Why Are We Striving for Mediocrity?

Atty Jones — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:21:00 GMT

I know a lot of school teachers. And, they all say the same thing: today's students are not striving for high achievement. They seem to be reaching for a life of mediocrity. This, of course, is a generalization. There are some really bright kids out there who put an incredible amount of effort into everything they do. But, on average, kids today do not seem to appreciate the need to work hard and succeed. In fact, one high school teacher told me today that her students are proud of the fact that they don't work as hard as their foreign exchange student friends. They view this as a mark of honor for Americans, as if it is our privilege as Americans to be slackers.

When I speak to high school kids, I always ask them if they want to be losers when they grow up. And, not surprisingly, none of them ever say they want that. But, I wonder, how do they think they will get ahead in life if they don't work hard, learn, and make progress? Have we really become that lazy and accommodating as a society that kids don't even remember the adage that you can do anything you want if you work hard for it?

Our frequent readers know the Rudy Syndrome requires that each person develop their skill on par with their talent. They also know we have very little patience for people who have talent but don't put in the work to use their talents for the good of the order. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone when we ask the following rhetorical question: Why are we striving for mediocrity?

And, perhaps more importantly, what can we do to raise the bar? Surely someone out there must have some ideas on how to put us back on track to high achievement. If we stay on this slippery downward slope, where we don't value education and achievement, we will surely become a government-dependent, two-class society with the gap between rich and poor growing steadily wider until we look more like a third world country that the world's super power.

Send us your ideas and we will see what we can do to put them into action.

Predictions for 2009

Atty Jones — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:44:00 GMT

It's January 1, 2009. This seems like a good time to make some predictions about the year to come. We don't have a crystal ball, nor a window into the future. We don't even have a set of Tarot cards. These are just random predictions that may nor may not happen.

1. Caroline Kennedy will be edged out by Andrew Cuomo as Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) replacement to the US Senate.

2. The stock market will continue a gradual decline toward 7,000 before it bottoms out and begins to regain lost ground.

3. The $1 Trillion in bail outs to the insurance, automobile, and banking industries will only be the beginning of the extent to which the federal government is required to provide relief to failing American businesses.

4. Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will regret firing Head Coach Mike Shanahan when Shanahan is picked up by another NFL team, beats the Broncos, and makes it to the playoffs in his first year with his new team.

5. LA Lakers Coach Phil Jackson will win his 1,050th game as an NBA Coach.

6. The new Administration will find it impossible to keep up with its promise to bring home all non-combat troops from Irag within its first sixteen months.

7. Congress will have a steadily improving approval rating as it begins to work on issues like global warming, health care, immigration, and social security.

8. Card Check legislation will be narrowly defeated in the US Senate after passing easily in the House.

9. An entire community of financial affiliates will go down with Bernard Madoff and his ponzi scheming friends.

10. The divorce rate will go down for the first time in years as more families stay together, for better or worse, out of necessity, due to financial restraints.

So, there you have it. Ten predictions for 2009. Feel free to keep score along the way and tell us if we made any huge mistakes. And, if you have any of your own predictions, let us know.

Be positive and work hard and have a great 2009!

Do you have the Rudy Syndrome?

Atty Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:45:00 GMT

The year 2008 is almost over. As we take inventory of the past year, we might ask ourselves a series of questions like: what did I do this year? Who did I help? Where did I go? What did I accomplish? How did I improve my life or the life of someone else? And, most importantly, did I avoid the Rudy Syndrome?

If you forgot what the Rudy Syndrome is, or if you just need a refresher course, go back and read the post from this week last year here.

Over the past several months, we have heard a lot of people talking about doom and gloom.

    Economic downturn.
    Bailouts.
    Layoffs.
    Health care crisis.
    Fighting two wars.
    Overwhelming debt.
    Financial crisis.
    Recession.
    And on and on.

Maybe those naysayers are right. Maybe there is a lot to be concerned about right now. Maybe it's the beginning of the end of life as we know it. But, I don't think so. Even if every one of the items on that list were to play out to its most disastrous possible end, it wouldn't change the fact that each of us as individuals has something to be thankful for. We each have something to offer. We each have a talent to develop and use for the good of the order.

So, I have to ask as we get ready to welcome 2009: do you have the Rudy Syndrome? Or, are you developing your skill on par with your talent? I'd like to know. Surely someone out there must have something positive to say about 2008. Surely someone is looking forward to what they will do in 2009. If you're one of those people, let me know.

Really. Do you have the Rudy Syndrome? If so, what are you going to do about it in 2009?

Coming back from cancer

Atty Jones — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:54:00 GMT

Sometimes the best examples of people avoiding the Rudy Syndrome are so obvious, we miss them. In fact, I realized recently I had missed sharing a very compelling story because I was so close to it, I simply overlooked its motivational value.

I have a friend named Caroline. Well, that's not her real name, but she forbid me from using her real name here, so we will go with "Caroline" for now. Caroline is a runner. She has been running marathons for at least a decade. And, quite successfully. She is one of those people whose very identity is wrapped up in the daily grind of training runs, cross training workouts, counting mileage, and recovering from injuries. For Caroline, going a day without running is like a smoker going a day without smoking. She needs running as much as she loves running. Yes, Caroline is a runner.

So, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and told she would not be able to run for at least a year, she was understandably devastated. Not only was the cancer diagnosis an obvious life changing event, but the news of having to be sidelined from running added insult to injury. She wondered, out loud, how she would get through the mental, physical and emotional drain of dealing with cancer without having her daily run to keep her going.

As with so many cancer stories, Caroline's has had its ups and downs. She endured months of treatment, received good news and bad news, and sometimes even worried that the cancer would get the best of her. Some days she felt good and some days she didn't. Throughout surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, countless trips to an assortment of doctors, and days when she couldn't even get out of bed, she always longed for the day when she could return to running. In fact, she often said the hope of being able to get back out on the road was the only thing keeping her going from day to day. Even when she was so sick with chemotherapy she could barely speak, she forced herself to look forward to the day when she would get up at 4:00 in the morning, put the running shoes back on, and run into the sunrise.

Each time she visited the doctor, she asked if today was the day she could go for her first run. After about a year, the doctor finally released her to slowly work back up to running a short distance. To Caroline, this was like someone had lifted a horrible cloud from over her head. Unfortunately, the return to running was not as easy as she thought it would be. If you haven't experienced cancer treatment or known someone who has, suffice to say the treatment can cause the body substantial side effects including weakening bones and sapping energy.

But, Caroline, the runner, was not to be deterred. She started with a few excruciating steps. Day after day, she worked to get her strength and rhythm back. Although she struggled for every step, she eventually worked back to a steady enough pace that she decided to begin training for her first post-cancer marathon. Every day, with her bald head covered with a colorful scarf, she got out there and worked just like Rudy to achieve her goal. And, as you must have guessed by now, several months after she laced up her shoes and took that first tentative step, she started, and finished, her first marathon as a cancer survivor.

Today, she says that looking forward to, and finally getting back to, running is probably what saved her life during the worst part of her cancer treatment. Caroline's singular focus on running as a way to get through cancer is an inspiration to all of us who are in a bad place in life. Recall something you love to do and focus on getting back to that passion, no matter how impossible it may seem right now.

Caroline has trained for a run several marathons since her cancer treatment. And, I'm happy to report that she is cancer free at the moment. Maybe, just maybe, her dedication to looking past a devastating diagnosis and focusing on something positive is the very thing she needed to beat breast cancer and live to run another day.

Thanks, Caroline, for refusing to let cancer get the best of you. We salute you for not having the Rudy Syndrome.

Socialism and the Rudy Syndrome

Atty Jones — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:38:00 GMT

When Congress approved a $730 Billion economic relief package last month, it was hard not to wonder how America had transitioned to socialism without so much as a polite discussion of whether it was a good idea. Here at The Rudy Syndrome, we advocate for a system of hard work and achievement that is antithetical to socialism. So, we couldn't help but ask the question: how in the world did we get here?

Socialism, as posited by Karl Marx, is a system of economic and political theories that encourages community ownership and allocation of the collective wealth of a society. Socialists typically believe that a free-market, capitalistic system gives an unfair balance of power and wealth to a small number of people at the top of the food chain. They prefer a society where power and wealth are distributed evenly, without regard to the underlying contribution.

We disagree. Hard work and determination should result in advancement and rewards. If you develop your skill on par with your talent, you should expect an appropriate level of success and earnings. It is not acceptable to force those people who give all their effort day in and day out to contribute the fruits of their labor to a pool that will be reallocated to people who haven't given the same effort. Sadly, that is exactly where we are in America today.

We are taking nearly $1 Trillion from tax payers (if you count the economic relief package, the FNMA and FHLMC bail outs, and the AIG bail out) and redirecting it to people who failed to repay debts they agreed to pay. Let there be no mistake about it, the economic relief package is not bailing out Wall Street, it is bailing out individual people who haven't paid mortgage and other loans that they promised to pay. That is an outrage. If you agree to pay a debt, you should be required to repay it. Don't blame it on someone else's lending policies or aggressive sales pitch. If you say you will repay it, repay it.

Furthermore, we are now on the verge of potentially transitioning to a socialistic administration where pooling resources and allocating the collective community funds is supported wholeheartedly. Are we now in a society where so many people have the Rudy Syndrome that we think socialism is good? God help us if we are. Shame on us if we are so complacent that we believe it is okay to take from the hard workers and give to the slackers.

This is a stronger opinion piece than I usually write here. But, since I don't hear anyone talking about this issue, it strikes me that maybe we arrived at this socialistic juncture so gradually that no one even noticed we are on the brink of full blown Marxism. It's the old frog in the beaker analogy.

If you agree this is a dangerous and slippery slope, start talking about it with people you know. Commit to avoiding the Rudy Syndrome at all costs. Develop your skill on par with your talent and demand to be rewarded for your efforts. And, whatever you do, vote your conscience on November 4.

You don't have to be a Super Star

Atty Jones — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:40:24 GMT

Every year during the first week of August, hundreds of hopeful young musicians gather in the mountains of Colorado to pursue their dream of musical stardom. The setting is idyllic. The Rocky Mountains rise up majestically behind the lodges and cabins. The air in thin, clean, and cool. The rain cleans the sky most afternoons. It seems like a bit of paradise.

The talent varies from not very good (think: Rudy) to incredible (think: Josh Groban). People like Jordin Sparks and Chris Sligh, recent American Idol finalists, went to the mountains to try to impress judges that they were the next big thing. As you must know, Jordin Sparks went on to become the American Idol. Chris Sligh's songs are now being played every few minutes on the radio. But, Jordin and Chris are the exceptions.

Most of the competitors never get a record deal. No one really notices them. Most are eliminated after the preliminary round of competition and never make it to the semi-finals or to the big stage for the finals. They often go home from their mountain top experience disappointed. Some probably never sing again.

But, the truth is, these young idealists don't have to become the American Idol to make an impact on art and music. Intellectual Property is the number two export from the United States, only outpaced by agriculture. Music that seems like it would never make it in the United States might find a home overseas. Or in a neighborhood coffee house. Or in a local shopping mall or church. So, whether you lose in the first round of competition, or go on to become Jordin Sparks, don't fall prey to the Rudy Syndrome. Develop your skill on par with your talent and make your art available.

If it turns out you simply can't sing, chances are good you'll find you have a gift for something else. You don't have to be a super star to make a difference. In music. Or in life.

Farewell Dr. Randy Pausch

Atty Jones — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:05:00 GMT

On April 16, we wrote about the amazing story of Dr. Randy Pausch. Professor Pausch was as good an example of a person who lived without the Rudy Syndrome as any we've ever found. Sadly, Professor Pausch lost his battle with pancreatic cancer yesterday. We salute him as a person who lived every day as if it were a gift.

We know one thing for sure. If Professor Pausch were still with us, he would have loved this day. And, he would have hoped you would love it too.

In memory of Dr. Randy Pausch. 1960-2008.

Senator Clinton: Demonstrative Persistence

Atty Jones — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:48:00 GMT

You talk about a strong finish. Senator Clinton not only stayed in to fight to the end, she won almost every primary in the past two months. Why the democrats thought it was better to go with the nominee who has no momentum going into the convention is baffling. Nevertheless, it appears, barring some miracle (for which we are still praying), Senator Obama will be the democratic nominee.

You must know by now that Senator Clinton's campaign is saying she will concede the democratic nomination to Senator Obama within the next two days. The good news is she has all the power right now. She can make or break the election for the democrats just by answering a simple yes or no question: will she agree to join the ticket as Senator Obama's running mate? Yes or no?

If she says yes: the democrats go into general election season, which started today, with the dream team. The ticket that is unstoppable. The combination of experience and charisma that is only found in John Grisham novels and cheesy television dramas. The one-two punch that makes the republicans shudder in their we-are-not-the-third-term-of-Bush boots.

If she says no: the democrats might as well pack it up. The formidable republican nominee, the super war hero, the tortured and beaten prisoner of war, the Rocky Balboa of political campaigning, the comeback kid, the incredibly energetic and hard working Senator McCain who out campaigns candidates half his age, will leave the democrats wishing the rules committee had counted all the votes in Michigan and Florida after all. Without Senator Clinton, the election is Senator McCain's to lose.

Regardless: Senator Clinton has demonstrated the kind of tenacity and toughness that this blog is designed to inspire. She proved that not only was she in the game to win, but she played it expertly and ended up, although she doesn't have the delegates, with all the power to determine the next president of the United States of America. She made some horrific mistakes along the way, and she is paying a dear price for it. But, she simply never gave up. Her drive and singular determination in the face of inequitable treatment and criticism provide an example which every young dreamer can and should follow. She developed her skill on par with her talent and gave 100% to the goal she set so many years ago. And, for that level of commitment and drive, we here at The Rudy Syndrome salute her.

What would you do if you had six months to live?

Atty Jones — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:02:00 GMT

If you had six months to live, what would you do? Would you go visit relatives you hadn't seen for a long time? Would you make sure all the people you love know it? Would you spend a lot of money? Save a lot of money? Climb Mount Everest? Volunteer at a homeless shelter? What would you do if you had six months to live?

If you were Professor Randy Pausch, you would go on record and give one last lecture. Randy Pausch is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. In September 2006, Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the most deadly of all cancers with a less than 5% survival rate. Despite the horrible odds, Pausch decided he was going to fight the disease. After withstanding surgery, extremely toxic chemotherapy, and months of horrendous treatments, he showed signs of progress.

Unfortunately, in August 2007, the cancer returned. This time, it had metastacized to his liver and spleen. The doctors gave him three to six months to live. At the time, he and his wife had three children under the age of six. Pausch was only 47 years old. He promptly made up his mind to live the remainder of his life to the fullest extent possible. In fact, he decided to invite others along for the ride. He invited everyone he knew to attend The Last Lecture.

The Last Lecture, which has now been made famous by interviews on ABC's Good Morning America and NightLine shows, among others, is an inspirational lecture about what a person might do if they knew their time on earth was limited. If you haven't already done so, watch the full 45 minute lecture here. You are guaranteed to be challenged and inspired.

I happened to see a news story about this in the Fall of 2007, soon after Professor Pausch gave that lecture. The parts of the lecture I saw were fascinating. Professor Rausch challenged his audience to think about their lives and to live every moment as if it were their last. Last week, a book by the same title, The Last Lecture, was published, and the media attention swelled to a frenzy. You may have already done the math: it is April 2008 and that is eight months past August 2007. Professor Rausch is still alive.

According to his blog, his is a day to day struggle. But, he has never lost his enthusiasm for life or his positive attitude. He tackles each day with a renewed sense of commitment and determination. We should each greet every day with the kind of energy and drive that Randy Pausch demonstrates day in and day out.

If you had six months to live, what would you do? Whatever you answered, don't wait until you have six months left. Go out there and do it now.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
--Randy Pausch

Note: The health information herein was taken from Randy Pausch's personal website and was not gained through any access to medical records or other documents covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Patrick Henry Hughes Does Not Have the Rudy Syndrome

Atty Jones — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:11:00 GMT

This week's episode of the hit show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, highlighted the Hughes family from Louisville, Kentucky. The Hughes' eldest son, Patrick Henry, the focus of the show, serves as an inspiration to all who hear his story.

Patrick Henry Hughes, a 19 year old college student at the University of Louisville, was born with no eyes and a variety of physical conditions which confine him to a wheelchair. Yet, despite his physical difficulties, Patrick Henry has managed to attain a level of success in music and academics we can all admire. If you didn't see the episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition featuring Patrick Henry and his family, go to ABC and watch the full episode online. It is well worth the time.

Patrick Henry, named after his father, Patrick John, was a stellar student. He participated in the International Baccalaureate program in high school where he maintained a 3.99 GPA. He speaks fluent Spanish, was a member of the National Honor Society, and received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement from both President Clinton and President Bush.

Patrick Henry began playing piano at the age of 9 months under his father's direction as a way for he and his father to bond. He showed immediate musical gifting and went on to become an accomplished musician. He even studied under Julliard graduate, Hilda Ordman.

Today, he plays trumpet in the University of Louisville marching band. Recall he is confined to a wheel chair. He also has developed an incredible singing voice and has performed with some of the country's top pop and country artists.

So, how did he do it? How did Patrick Henry Hughes overcome being born with no eyes, the inability to fully extend his arms, and the inability to walk? How did he excel in school? How did he excel in music? It's simple. Patrick Henry Hughes developed his skill on par with his talent. He took every gift he had, and despite the odds against him, developed those gifts to the fullest extent possible. If he were five foot six and 135 pounds with no inherent football skill, he might just be named Rudy.

Yes, Patrick Henry Hughes is an inspiration. And, he does not have the Rudy Syndrome.

As a side note, Patrick John Henry is also an incredible inspiration. He has been his son's eyes and legs and has devoted himself entirely to ensuring his son's success. Their story should motivate each of us to strive for higher achievements at whatever level of ability we have been given.

What happened in the Florida Presidential Primaries?

Atty Jones — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:29:00 GMT

Tonight John McCain (R-AZ) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) won the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries in the state of Florida. Unlike McCain, who will walk away with a winner-take-all 57 delegates, Hillary Clinton gets none. This is because the National Democratic Party is punishing Florida for moving its primary election up to a date earlier than the Super Tuesday Primaries next Tuesday, February 5, 2008. As a result, Florida Democrats voted in a meaningless primary election and their voices will, therefore, not be heard.

As a side note, there are ordinarily 114 Republican delegates at stake in Florida but the National Republican Party cut the number in half to punish Florida Republicans for the same reason. Nevertheless, the victory is huge for McCain, who will now be the undisputed Republican front-runner, remarkable considering his status just six months ago.

Is this the right outcome? Should the Democratic Party use this type of leverage to force states to stay in their designated pecking order and hold their primary elections when the National Party tells them to? It seems the obvious answer is, "no." In a democracy, each person should have one vote and each vote should be given equal weight. In this case, the 1.5 million Florida voters who voted in the Democratic primary might as well have stayed home. When the Democrats go to convention in Denver this summer, Florida's delegation will have no votes to cast. This seems strangely un-democratic.

Ironically, Senator Clinton went to Florida, despite the meaningless vote, and claimed a huge victory. She vowed to fight to force the Florida delegates to be counted. She spoke enthusiastically to a packed room of supporters about how they will not have voted in vain. (This in sharp contrast to McCain's stump speech in which he vows to fight so that military members will not have died in vain. But, I digress.)

The question now is, will Senator Clinton muster up some Rudy-like energy and see to it that the Florida voters' delegates are counted? Will she rise up again, like she did in Michigan, to ensure those Florida delegates get to cast their votes at the Denver convention? I'm no predictor of the future, but it would not be out of the question to predict that she, and her formidable campaign staff, will be successful in yet another tough fight. And, if she is, we will all confirm once again that Hillary Clinton does not have the Rudy Syndrome. And, for that reason, she will almost certainly be the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States come November.

What happened to Fred Thompson?

Atty Jones — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:58:00 GMT

Fred Thompson, the former senator from Tennessee, announced today that he would withdraw his bid for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.

Thompson, whose popularity rose to a fever pitch early in 2007, seemed to have everything going for him. He was famous for his acting role on the popular and well-liked television drama, Law & Order. He was the conservative Republican candidate that the Republicans so desperately desired. And, he had the backing of some of the Republican party's elite.

Still, despite Republican establishment support, Thompson managed to lose the momentum before it even started. He entered the race late. He didn't work hard enough to get to the top. In fact, he acted like he didn't really want it. All in all, a not very inspiring performance. In the end, he turned in disappointing performances in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, three early states which have historically been necessary for the Republican nomination.

So, what happened to Fred Thompson? Why didn't he live up to the expectations of Republican voters, political pundits, and the media? The answer is simple.

Instead of capitalizing on huge public support and free media, Thompson let too much time go by while ruminating about whether to enter the race. Instead of jumping in with both feet, he came across as luke-warm in his desire to win. Instead of taking advantage of almost certain front-runner status, he chose to sit by and watch the race play out while he was on the sidelines. He let too much time go by and he let a brilliant opportunity slip through his fingers.

He didn't want it badly enough. He didn't have the passion. He didn't work harder than anyone else out there. In short, Fred Thompson had the Rudy Syndrome.