I love this article from Suzannah Scully, and it's a lot more coherent than my own Harbaughisms post from earlier this year.

1. Who's got it better than us? Noooobodddy!!!!

Suzannah writes:

The story goes that when Jim was growing up, he and his brother and sister lived in a very modest house without a lot of material possessions.

But their dad, college coach Jack Harbaugh, would often gather his kids around and say, "Who's got it better than us? Nooooboddy!" And now Jim has started that in his pep talks to the 49ers. It has spread like wildfire.

Bottom line, attitude is everything. Whatever is going on in your life right now, it can all be changed by your perspective alone.

I agree that life is 20% what happens to you, and 80% how you respond.

When you realize this, your attitude should be one of optimism (looking forward to what opportunities are coming) and gratitude (being thankful for what opportunities have come).

2. Frederick P Soft

Suzannah writes:

Jim introduced his team to a four-inch guy who sits on your shoulder and talks right into your ear. He named him "Frederick P Soft".

He's the voice that keeps you complacent and soft. That tells you that you don't have to work hard or that you should just stay in the shadows and not ruffle any feathers. How many of you feel like you have allowed Freddie P. Soft to take over your life?

To me, this is the flip side of the "good attitude" coin.

On the one side, you have gratitude (#1). On the other side, hard work (#2).

Those two things are part of how you make your own luck.

3. Attack this day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind!

Suzannah writes:

Every day when Jim's dad would drop his kids off to school, he would say to them; "attack this day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind!" I love that!

It is essentially the antithesis of Freddie Soft. So many people I talk to continue along with their days without any sort of enthusiasm.

What if you were to live by that mantra for one day? What do you think you would accomplish/experience in that day?

Once you have gratitude (#1) and hard work (#2), make sure to bring the passion.

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically.

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Coach Harbaugh is about Attitude.

Attitude makes all the difference.