The National Society of Leadership and Success
Building leaders who make a better world
In this Issue: 
Letter from the PresidentAnnouncementsSuccess CornerSociety Spotlight Monthly Motivation

Letter From the President: 

Dear Society Member,

As the calendar turns to August, many of us shift our focus from summer vacation to returning to work or school.

This month I would like to talk about a few proactive measures you can take to beat the "summertime blues", that will help you smoothly transition into Fall.

Whether you are coming back to campus or returning to work, give yourself a buffer day to get a head start on emails, run errands, unpack and re-acclimate. To set yourself up for success, treat your first few days back as a reboot period. Shy away from scheduling important appointments or meetings on your first day back. Instead, block off a section of time to prioritize a to-do list.

"A well-written list is the fastest way out of most problematic situations… Writing things down is powerful. When thoughts are written down you can move them around, compare them, combine them, or divide them as your thinking progresses."
― Scott Berkun

Gaining momentum and earning a win on your first day (no matter how small) is imperative for getting back on track. Using your to-do list, pick one task that you know you can accomplish that day. Once you have that first achievement accomplished, crossing more items off your list won’t seem nearly as daunting.

You may be asking, “How do I begin prioritizing my task list?”. I suggest organizing your tasks with the priority matrix from Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

This matrix is an effective method of identifying and organizing your priorities. It can be challenging to discard certain things you want to do, but when it comes to overcoming workload paralysis, it’s essential to make your to-do list manageable.

As you return from vacation or summer break, I hope these tips will help set you up for another successful academic year.

Best wishes,

Charles Knippen
President
The National Society of Leadership and Success
Success Corner: 

The Thought Leader Series



We are proud to share our latest episodes of the "Thought Leader Series" featuring Dr. Robert Gates, former United States Secretary of Defense and Arne Duncan, former United States Secretary of Education. 

Click here to watch all episodes.

Introducing #TestimonialTuesday


The Society recently launched a new initiative, collecting stories to share on our site about how our members have positively impacted their communities, and how the Society has positively impacted them.


Each Tuesday, we’re posting a testimonial from one of our members on our social media pages. If we choose to feature your testimonial, you will receive a $25 Visa gift card!

If you haven't submitted a video testimonial yet, please do so on our website here: http://ow.ly/KJIt302pzqI.
What to do:
- Grab your phone, and in just 60 seconds, record yourself telling your story of how the NSLS has positively impacted you and your community.

What to share:
- See below for two examples of our most recently featured #TestimonialTuesday posts:

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Monthly Motivation: 

“Psychologists say that reminiscing about a trip, even long after it's over, can bring deep pleasure in the present.”

― Stephanie Rosenbloom, The New York Times

5 Tips to Make the Post-Vacation Return to Work Less Painful

Your stress levels don't have to skyrocket the second you get back

Vacations are awesome. Returning from them generally isn't.

Thanks to overflowing inboxes, backed-up calendars, and inevitable but highly unflattering comparisons between your cubicle or dorm and your recently occupied beach chair, coming back to work can sometimes be so awful it makes you wonder if going away was even worth it.

But it doesn't have to be that way, according to experts. They claim it is possible to ease your way back into work in such a way that you can keep that post-vacation glow going. How? Click here for a few of their top tips.

Our members are leading and inspiring individuals on their campuses and in their communities across the country every day, and we want to help tell those stories! Articles and other content for upcoming newsletters can be submitted anytime to communications@nsls.org. Please include photos from your event, and let us know what you were doing, who participated and how it impacted your members and community. So many chapters are making a difference every day. Keep up the good work!

Society Spotlight: 

Chapter Events
and Highlights
Sigma Alpha Pi Inducts 51 SCC Students

Fifty-one students were inducted into the Society chapter at Surry Community College during its induction ceremony. “The core philosophy of the Society is that anyone can achieve their dreams with proper support and dedicated action,” explains Tony Searcy, SCC’s Director of Campus Life and Student Support, who was pivotal in starting the local chapter. “These are the future leaders and shakers in the communities where they live.”

Click here to read the full article.


Rochester Institute of Technology


The Society chapter at Rochester Institute of Technology recently participated in the RIT Festival to spread NSLS awareness while inspiring individuals along the way. The RIT-NSLS exhibit featured a paper chain of dreams, in which participants wrote down their goals, wishes, hopes and dreams and added it to the chain. The chain reached 230 feet long by the end of the event.

To view more images from this event, visit us on Flickr.

Announcements: 

NEW Shop Item: The Society Essentials - (Save 25%!)

The Society Essentials are a collection of items sure to show off your Society pride as you embark on your journey towards success!

Lanyard: The perfect item to keep track of your keys or ID card. Easy to find, easy to grab, complete with a metal clip for a super secure hold.

Pennant: Classic plush felt hanging pennant with Society-inspired graphics. Perfect to hang in a dorm, bedroom or living space.

Society Drawstring Bag: Lightweight, versatile backpack features zip pockets and an earbud port to help organize and carry your gear.

Water Bottle: This high-capacity 30 oz BPA-Free water bottle features an ergo grip, drinking spout with lift-off lid, integrated lid handle and wide opening for easy cleaning.

Member Benefits: Outward Bound Costa Rica

Our partners at “Outward Bound Costa Rica (OBCR),” firmly believe there is no better way to develop leadership skills than with real-time experience in the field. Each year, university students learn to push their limits and expand their horizons as they develop leadership and social skills as well as self confidence and physical skills on OBCR’s Gap Year & Semester courses.

This fall, OBCR will be offering two Gap Year & Semester courses. On the Coast to Coast Expedition Semester, students will develop leadership skills as they hike across Costa Rica, from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in adventure activities in Panama and Nicaragua. Students can earn up to 12 college credits in this course.

On the Outdoor Leader Semester, students will earn seven internationally recognized certifications as they gain field experience. Top alumni from this program will have the opportunity to participate in an instructor internship during OBCR’s high season. OBCR’s intern instructors play a crucial role in program operations during the summer months by helping bridge the gap between different cultures. Students can earn up to 10 college credits in this course.
For the full list of partner discounts you receive as a Society member, click here.