To Inspire:

I love the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness! And one of the reasons why is that once you’re invited to the tournament, it’s a fresh start for every team – and anyone can win. Is it likely that the four 16^th seeds will make it all the way – no. But is it possible – YES! And it’s certainly possible that they can make a run deep into the tournament. Consider these improbable “winners”:

• #15 seed Saint Peter’s College reached the Elite Eight in 2022
• #11 seeds LSU (’86), George Mason (’06), VCU (’11), Loyola Chicago (’18), UCLA (’21), and NC State (’24) all made it to the Final Four
• #8 seed Villanova won the championship in 1985.

How did they do it? Their coaches will tell you that they believed in each other; ignored all the outside “noise” telling them they didn’t have a chance; and prepared and played with great energy.

So how about you – is there something you want to achieve in your life that seems improbable, maybe even impossible? Are you willing to believe in yourself? Are you willing to ignore all the naysayers saying you can’t do it? And finally, are you willing to prepare and act with great energy? God has wonderful plans for each one of us, plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). When we partner with Him, it’s amazing what we can accomplish.

Enjoy March Madness and create a little March Madness in your own life! Life, what a gift – live it with greatness, with purpose and with passion!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder