Dreams can often become challenging, but challenges are what we live for.
—Travis White

Above all, challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have, what you can accomplish.
—Cecile M. Springer

Hi, my name is Rob Garofalo, but you can think of me as Mr. G, just as all my students did. I became a teacher to prepare the next generation not only to learn effectively, but also to live effectively. This, my first book, is a compilation of the same words of wisdom and strategies for growing that I shared with students over the years. As you’ll soon see, I like to offer personal observations, anecdotes, and favorite quotes to explain ideals to young people in a way that’s meaningful to their lives. Then, each individual can decide whether the advice is something of value, something worth being incorporated into his or her life.

My students responded positively to this approach, in part because they sensed how much I cared—about them as individuals and about making the world a better place through them. I care about you, too. You possess the power to shape yourself, and in the process, shape the world. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

I’ve set up the book in the form of 52 messages, one focus for each week of the year. I hope you‘ll approach the 52 messages with an open mind, because each one can help you to develop inner power, the kind of power that leads to feeling confident about yourself and your place in the world.

If you find any of the book’s weekly messages to be of value, you’ll need to extend your efforts beyond just reading about them. To apply an ideal to real life and make it a part of who you are is a challenge, one that involves thought and action. That’s why there’s a helpful Life App (short for Life Application) section at the end of each chapter. The question is, are you up to the challenge? My hope, and belief, is you are—52 times over.

As you make your own decision each week, keep in mind that for any of us to unlock our potential; to create rich, balanced lives; and to become winners by any standard, we have to challenge ourselves to learn and grow. The truth is, this isn’t an easy way to travel through life—the path is filled with hard work, obstacles, and failure—but those who choose it anyway find the rewards to be numerous and long-lasting. If you’re interested in gaining the insight needed to create an extraordinary life journey, then this book is for you.

I can’t tell you how much I hope these changes happen in your life. Partly because in a world loaded with negative, unfulfilled individuals, I feel compelled to help make effective living more the rule than the exception. And partly because lots of people feel your generation in general isn’t capable of doing what it takes to succeed at life. They don’t believe you can even maintain your focus long enough to learn—unless there’s nonstop action, jokes, or gratuitous violence involved.

I know from experience, though, that when the material is meaningful and relevant to your lives, and the person delivering it truly cares, your generation is more than willing and capable of learning. And it so happens this book was written from the heart and consists of nothing but what you live: school, sports, music, personal image, emotions, television, friends, heroes, dreams, etc…

Last, even though A Winner By Any Standard is set up to have you focus on one challenge a week, feel free to use it as a guidebook or manual. For example, on those days you’re feeling down and out, take a look at “Searching for a Bright Side” and “Living with a Grateful Heart.” When somebody is giving you a hard time and getting on your nerves, refer to “Thickening Your Skin.” Or when you find yourself really anticipating (or dreading) the future, read “Following Your Dreams” and “Taking Positive Risks.” You get the idea. And keep in mind that, while I’ve written these chapters for every young person of your generation and beyond, I want you to read each one as if it were just the two of us having a heart-to-heart.

Remember, you help to shape yourself, as well as the world, every time you accept a challenge. So turn the page and challenge yourself to reflect…to take action…to grow…and to become a winner by any standard.

You can do this.