Dr. Jack Welch From the Bleachers

 May 1, 2025

Attitude Spells the Difference

It’s amazing to see how some people soar in their professions while others flounder, even when starting with similar opportunities. Success is rarely the result of just one thing. It’s a complex mix of mindset, skill, resources, and circumstance. But there’s one element that often spells the difference between victory and defeat: attitude.

We’ve all seen it, two individuals facing the same challenges, equipped with the same tools. One thrives. The other struggles. What’s the difference? Sometimes it’s as subtle as a single shift in perspective.

Some people struggle to see reality clearly or respond positively to setbacks. They may confuse positivity with blind optimism, ignoring facts in favor of false hope. But being positive isn’t about ignoring reality, it’s about facing it with purpose, resilience, and a willingness to adapt.

Those who succeed often do so because they’re teachable. They embrace growth. They lean on mentors. They use the resources available to them and value the strength found in teamwork and trust. In short, they’re willing to do the hard work of becoming better, not bitter.

I’ve seen this firsthand. I was fortunate to play football at both the high school and college levels under some truly remarkable coaches, men who shaped not just my game, but my character. They were motivators, mentors, and masters of the one-liner.

In high school, I played under Bill Freeman in Osawatomie, Kansas, and Gayle Miller in Bridgeport, Texas. Coach Freeman, a legend inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, knew how to win, and how to lead. Coach Miller, too, was deeply respected for his wisdom and ability to inspire.

In college, I played for the legendary Sam Sample, first at Sterling College and then at Taylor University. He later coached at Colorado and Northern Illinois. Coach Sample had a saying that still echoes in my mind:

“One letter can change everything. In hardship, you can either get bitter or you can get better.”

That message has stuck with me for years. Just one letter, i or e, makes all the difference. The letter i turns the focus inward: on frustration, blame, and self-pity. But the letter e shifts our focus outward: to effort, empathy, and growth. That tiny change in mindset can alter the entire course of a life. Coach Sample would always add with a grin, “There’s no ‘i’ in team, but there is an ‘e.’”

Attitude isn’t just important, it’s everything. It shapes how we interpret failure and how we respond to adversity. And success? It doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s born in relationships, sacrifice, and a willingness to take risks.

Many people never succeed because they fear discomfort. They shy away from the unknown. But success lives there, outside our comfort zones, in the territory where growth happens.

We all face doubt. We all get knocked down. But what defines us is how we respond. Do we stick our head in the sand and not face reality, or do we deal with our circumstances intelligently?

Do we get bitter? Or do we get better? In the end, the choice comes down to just one letter. Let’s choose to get better.

Thought for the week, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Henry Ford

Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and professional football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com