Strategic Discipline Blog

My journey through Acute Myeloid Leukemia continues with Chapter VI from CANCER CURED – Support

(Previous segments of CANCER CURED are available here:  CANCER CURED BOOK -to read from the beginning, you’ll need to scroll through to the bottom to find CANCER CURED – What do You Feed?, which is the first in the series.)

I received so much support from people, whom I knew and didn’t know, when I was in the hospital. I cry when I feel the swell of emotions from this experience, and the love that poured into my life, despite my flaws and failures. I believe people are naturally good. I wanted to share what I learned from all this support.

What I Learned

When I was in the hospital, the outpouring of support I received—from friends, strangers, and everyone in between—moved me beyond words. Even now, when I reflect on that flood of love and kindness, I find myself in tears. Despite my flaws and failures, people showed up. That experience confirmed a deep belief: people are, at their core, good.

I want to share what I learned from that incredible support.

Nike’s famous slogan says, “Just do it!”
When you hear that someone you know is facing a challenge—a devastating loss, an illness, a disaster—you might find yourself wondering, "What can I do?"

Too often, we do nothing. We hesitate, paralyzed by uncertainty, worried that any action might be inappropriate or unwanted. But here’s what I’ve learned through my battle with cancer: don’t just offer to help—do something.

Anything.

A phone call. A meal. A simple card. A visit.

Whatever you do, action means involvement—and only by stepping in can you truly make a difference. Only then do you experience the deeper gift that comes from giving.

One of my good friends, Brian Harrington, has a habit of ending every conversation by asking, “Okay, so what are we going to do about it?” It’s a powerful question—and a needed one. Far too many of us sit on our hands, thinking good thoughts but never letting them become real. Behavior is the only true expression of belief.

Behavior never lies.

Many of you act instinctively, shaped by choices made long ago, maybe even part of your DNA. I’ve seen it in people like Gayle Richardson, Wade Hiner, Brian Harrington, Steve Swed, and many others.

Honestly, I’ve been guilty of falling short too.

We see this same dynamic in broader issues like Black Lives Matter. Some believed the Civil War settled the evils of slavery and oppression, but history has shown otherwise. Racism and systemic injustice persist. Healing—whether personal or societal—requires not just commitment, but earnestness,  unwavering belief, and action!

I hope this memoir can offer a measure of hope to you, or someone you love, standing face-to-face with overwhelming odds.

My earlier miracle with Michelle showed me the path: that prayer, affirmation, community, and the boundless love of God could move mountains. It instilled a hope and faith so deep that it carried me through my darkest hours.

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I couldn’t cope. I lashed out. I sank into anger and misery.

But six months later, when a doctor told me it was time to give up, something had shifted. Within an hour, I knew: I would live. I didn’t have to know how. I just needed to summon the feeling of victory and trust that God would take care of the rest.

It wasn’t a boastful faith. It was quiet, firm, and certain—a whisper inside telling me: Doug, focus on what you can control. Trust His power for the rest.

I had already seen God’s hand in my life before—bringing back the woman I loved when hope seemed lost. I knew He could do it again.

(How God saved me—and the astonishing journey to healing—is the story of my final chapter. It’s no less miraculous than the fact that I am still here, despite every grim prediction.)

The seeds of this faith, this unshakable hope, were planted early. My family gave me the foundation—through love, through their examples, through a quiet but powerful belief—that miracles are possible.

And for that, I am forever grateful.

Call to Action

Challenge your team, your business, yourself. Contact Positioning Systems to schedule a free exploratory meeting to challenge, inspire, and ignite purpose and passion in your business!  

Create an environment where everyone is inspired to give their best.

Growth demands Strategic Discipline.

In Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself change begins with thinking, choosing, acting, experiencing, and feeling different.  Next week, I share the choice I made after Dr. Begum's hopeless verdict, and how it vaulted me to act, experience, and feel miraculously better! 

Building an enduring great organization requires disciplined people, disciplined thought, disciplined action, superior results, producing a distinctive impact on the world.

Discipline sustains momentum, over a long period of time, laying the foundations for lasting endurance.

A winning habit starts with 3 Strategic Disciplines: Priority, Metrics, and Meeting Rhythms.   Forecasting, accountability, individual, and team performance improve dramatically.

Meeting Rhythms achieve a disciplined focus on performance metrics to drive growth.

Let Positioning Systems help your business achieve these outcomes on the four most Important Decisions your business faces:

Positioning Systems helps mid-sized ($5M - $500M+) businesses Scale-UP. We align your business to focus on Your One Thing! Contact dwick@positioningsystems.com to Scale Up your business! Take our Four Decisions Needs Assessment to discover how your business measures against other Scaled Up companies. We’ll contact you.

NEXT BLOG – CANCER CURED - CHAPTER VII – Miracle Moment - Decision Made