Photo courtesy of Chris Treece
September is New Voices Month at the LA Books Examiner. For the last few months, I intentionally sought out four unique new voices to share with the community this month, two nonfiction and two fiction authors, whose personal stories are as fascinating as their writing.
Up first is former University of Tennessee football player turned author Chris Treece. On the surface, Treece is one of these lucky people who everything he touches turns to gold. He’s found success in sports, in business, in consulting, and in his personal life – he even hosts two radio shows. He’s lucky. He’s blessed. He’s just one of those people, right?
Wrong. In his new book Driven, Treece reveals the truth: that the “success” part of a true success story is something one earns – not overnight -- but through hard work, drive, passion, and the willingness to face and overcome obstacles and adversity – a great message in today’s tougher political and economic climate. And the perfect gift for your friends, family, and business partners this holiday season.
Sure, Treece is not Shakespeare, and he’s not going to dazzle you with fancy writing – that’s not what he’s about. Instead, he shares his real-life experiences along with practical strategies for finding yourself, your passions, and the path to your own personal success. Unlike other books designed simply to motivate, Driven provides actual checklists and to-do lists that inspire the kind of action that gets real results for Treece’s clients and students.
These days Chris Treece runs a very successful Marketing and Consulting firm that helps reinvent existing businesses. What I really like about Treece is that he’s an educator now who uses his knowledge and experience to help those seeking to start new ventures of their own, sharing what he calls “The Treece Advantage.”
You can purchase a copy of Driven by Chris Treece at his website, where you can also learn more about Treece, his business, his services, and his radio shows.
I had the chance to meet up with Chris Treece recently and ask him a few questions about his book and his life. Please take a few more minutes to check out the interview – and be sure to visit the LA Books Examiner every week this month for more New Voices.There’s a lot of motivational or inspirational books out there. What makes Driven so different? Why should people read your book?
Driven is different from the standpoint that I have truly lived it. You have a lot of writers that write from a look-and-see standpoint. Most haven't been down the dark road that I traveled. My history can be well documented from the people that know me. I was once in the public eye when I played football and people had often heard about my struggles, so I truly believe that Driven is different because I have used every teaching point in this book to get where I am today.
In Driven, changing your mindset is an important theme. What advice do you have for people struggling in today’s tough economy to help change the way they think?
This was a tough one for me personally. I had a very hard time changing my mindset. I would often blame everyone else for my shortcomings. The advice I would give today would be to look at your current situation and accept it and then make a very stern decision to change it. It might seem worse than it actually is, but it is hard to see past it because we are so close to it. Take a deep breathe and start making a list of the things you want to change and then make notes on how to change them. It is also good to talk with people about what you are doing as a way to get a much needed pat on the back. Everyone needs a motivational ego push. When I started writing this book, I talked to a lot of people just to get their reaction. Some was good, some not so good. So I immediately took the I-will-prove-you-wrong attitude. I don't like to be told that I can't do something.
You’ve had success in sports, in business, and as an entrepreneur. What drives you? And, more importantly, how do you maintain it?
I am afraid of failure. Every morning when I wake up I always try and make it count. You never know when it could all be gone. I am never satisfied. I am very grateful for all of the success, but I believe I can do more. Part of the reason I wrote the book was that I wanted to help people. I have had so much help and support over the years, and I wanted to pay it forward so to speak. I want to make a difference. I wanted to be known for more that just a ball player who owns a company now. I wanted to be a person someone could draw strength from. Other than my book, I get the most satisfaction out of speaking. I started doing speaking engagements years ago, and I love it.
I know you’re a big proponent of personal coaching. Like most people, when I think of great coaching, I mostly think about sports. Can anyone benefit from a coach? And how do I know if or when I need one?
Even the best sports figures in the world have coaches as well as the big boys in corporate America. Coaches help you maintain your focus and make sure that your focus is channeled in the right direction. I have a coach that I work with here in Tennessee. His name is Tim Davis with www.timdavisonline.com. I have worked with him for years, and he has been a very instrumental part of my success. Hiring a coach can help you expand on your concepts and make you think in a different manner. Do you think Michael Jordan could've won 6 NBA titles without a coach? Probably not. His coach put him in situations to be successful. A business and personal coach does the same thing. A coach will strategize with you not only from a business aspect but from a personal stance as well. In order to be successful you must start with yourself and make sure you are in a great mental position.
I think a lot college football fans, especially in Tennessee, really want to know. What’s it like wearing the orange and white, running through the T, and into a stadium with nearly 100,000 fans? How do your memories of football affect your career today?
It was an absolute honor to play for the Vols. Coming out of high school, that was really the only place I wanted to play. The problem was I didn't think I was big enough. I knew in my mind that I could play. I was just worried about my body holding up against all of the size in the SEC. I grew up my whole life watching and going to games. I loved it. But it’s not until you actually step on the field that it puts it in a whole different perspective. The first time I run through the "T", all I kept telling myself was "please don't trip and fall". It was amazing. I still get chills to this day every time I see that "T" open and the players run onto the field. I take that same approach today in my businesses. I try to prepare myself and do things so I won't trip.
What books are you reading right now? And are there any writers you feel deserve more attention?
I am actually reading Training Camp by Jon Gordon. It is a book that talks about bringing out the best in yourself as well as others. It is about a ball player trying to make it in the NFL who gets hurt. He thinks his dream is over until he meets a person that changes his life. It is good so far. As far as another writer, I think Trice Hickman deserves more recognition. I had the pleasure of speaking with her a few weeks back. She is a phenomenal author and person.
What’s next for Chris Treece?
I am in the process of producing a series of motivational CDs titled The Treece Advantage as well as doing a weekly podcast that will available on iTunes. I would like to write another book if time permits. Right now I am having a blast with the book and the speaking gigs. I would like to start a foundation and a scholarship fund for inner-city youth. Who knows what else? It will be fun trying to figure out my next move.
Driven: Overcoming Adversity and Hardships to Becoming Successful by Chris Treece (July 2009).
For more great interviews from the LA Books Examiner, check out the Author Interview Series.
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