Seven Steps to Success for Children -

A Piece of Paper, written by former Harlem Globetrotter, TyRone “Hollywood” Brown provides a seven step plan for kids ages 8-12, in achieving personal goals. The plan is simple and successful as Mr. Brown provides real life examples of how he achieved and overcame many setbacks over the years until he finally achieved his goal: to become a Harlem Globetrotter.

The book is similar to the program he delivers in over 150 schools a year and is now in print to deliver the message to the hundreds of thousands kids he cannot personally meet. As evidenced by pictures sent to him by children attending the school program, they are excited about setting goals and understand there is an underlying success factor – “never give up”.

1. Set Goals and Make a Plan: Setting a goal and making a plan are crucial steps in any success process. TyRone set his goal at nine-years old, committed it to paper and placed it on his dresser as a daily reminder of what he wants to achieve in life. Children can take this simple step by writing their goals down and placing it in a public area.

2. Reach Beyond Peer Pressure: Peer Pressure is as big a problem today, as it was when Brown was growing up. The key to overcoming pressure is to stay focused on the goal and to have a mentor to provide positive encouragement towards reaching the goal. Brown talks about the times that Larry “Gator” Rivers, also a former Harlem Globetrotter, would return home to Savannah, GA to coach the kids at the recreation center.

3. Do Good in School: This message was consistent throughout TyRone’s life, He heard it from his parents, his coaches, agents and team mates. And while TyRone did not get into college on a scholarship he did remain steadfast in his pursuit of education for as long as it took to finally achieve his goal to become a Harlem Globetrotter.

4. Stay Positive and Don’t Give Up : Staying positive is easy to do when everything is going as planned. What is important is keeping that good attitude when it doesn’t. Throughout his journey, TyRone talks of the excitement, the challenge and the let-down after being invited to try out for teams 16 times – only to be cut each and every time. His attitude remained positive, his determination and perseverance grew stronger each time. For three months he played for the Washington Generals, the competitive team that travels with the Globetrotters, until unexpectedly, the Harlem Globetrotters recruited him after a game.

5. Maintain Good Health and Nutrition: Achieving a goal is important but the hard work doesn’t end there. Like most everything, there needs to be a continuous cycle of improvement to not only to sustain a position but to improve as well. TyRone provides the reader with a glimpse into the training and touring schedule, including the extensive strength and stamina training required to maintain his position and improve his game

6. Inspire Others: After an eleven year career with the Harlem Globetrotters, TyRone took his career to a new level – raising money for important causes and delivering his message to “never give up” to children all over the country. Children of all ages have been inspired to write down goals and consider the opportunity to share them with Mr. Brown a privilege.

7. Honor the Greats: Through the years, TyRone worked with great players whose lives reflect the character and commitment he strives for every day: generosity, loving and inspirational – not to mention some of the best ball handlers ever. Children can learn a lot from those who lead in the areas of their goals. They should be encouraged to read about these people to learn more about what it takes to be the best and emulate those traits in their own lives.

 

A Piece of Paper is available for reservation on http://www.PeakCityPublishing.com  It will be released at The Savannah Children's Book Festival on November 11, 2012.