On the Clock

By Tim Enochs and Bruce Tollner

On the most important day of his life, quarterback sensation Adam Alford finds himself lost in a sea of people and cameras in the greenroom at the NFL Draft. He lost his mom in a violent storm when he was 10. After her death, his one- hit-wonder Country Music singer/songwriter dad was relegated to singing at a local roadside club as he struggled with alcohol, depression and the responsibility of raising Adam. With the uncommon influence of Adam’s agent, his girlfriend, and her mom, he and his dad found a way to make it. On the Clock outlines the simple principles of success that got Adam and his father through their trials, showing readers they they too can fight through adversity and achieve their own personal goals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Dec 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781683500414

Tim Enochs

Tim Enochs has been an Executive Coach for over twenty years, coaching leaders, executives, and company owners to discover or rediscover their purpose and vision in life and work, then live it out in a balanced way that produces irrefutable success in every endeavor. Prior to that, Tim has extensive experience in Human Resources in a wide range of organizations spanning from manufacturing to banking. In addition to being an Executive Coach, Tim is a Co-Founder of NEWLife Leadership, he is a New York Times bestselling author of On The Clock, Executive Producer of the movie Welcome to Inspiration (based on his book, The Street Sweeper), and author of five other books including Uncommon Influence, The CHILD Game Plan, The Foundation, The 7 Revelations for Irrefutable Success, Every Day is Game Day. Tim is also a highly rated national/international speaker. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Ole Miss and his MBA from The University of Tennessee – Martin.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Less than 24 hours ago, I officially accepted an offer that will allow me to live out my lifelong dream. With the stroke of a pen, I made a commitment that not only changes my life right now, but for years to come. Saying this opportunity was a game changer for me would be an understatement.

And it has all happened so fast. Yesterday was a complete blur; it was a day I had waited my whole life to arrive. But now I want to slow down, think about what’s happened this past year, and begin to process it all. And I’ll have a little help. Today, I’m sitting in my agent’s office, about to share my story with a reporter who will make it known to the world. It’s a story of moments I’m proud of as well as ones I’m hesitant to share with anyone.

Why am I doing it?

Two reasons. Most of all, I want my story to inspire all the underdogs, people who, like me, may have had challenges and who may be about to give up on their dreams. My dream was almost taken from me, mainly because of some mistakes I made. There were times I almost gave up. But ultimately I pushed through and kept working, hoping and trusting for the best. So I don’t want anyone to give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible or far away they may seem. I want my story to help them hang on, to keep fighting until they win.

I also want to inspire achievers to be intentional about having uncommon influence on others. This is the kind of unique personal influence that changes the trajectory of another person’s life. I want people to realize how they can have uncommon influence that will help others achieve their dreams. I wasn’t alone in my quest to live out my dream. As you will see, I’ve had several people who have had that kind of uncommon influence on me. Now I want to pass it along to others who need a spark of hope. Against all odds, your dreams can come true—if you’re willing to fight those odds and to keep the faith.

If I seem nervous, it’s because what I’m about to share is very personal. Some of it may seem unbelievable. If it hadn’t happened to me, I’m not sure I would believe it myself. Some of my story has been all-too-well reported by sports writers and others on social media, while some parts have never been revealed to anyone.

Most people would say I’m living the dream—myself included. I just signed a contract that instantly made me a multi-millionaire. I’m about to start a job doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing.

But it’s been a long hard journey getting here.

I wouldn’t say any of it has been easy.

And the journey is not over yet.

CHAPTER 1

W hen I grow up, I’m going to be an NFL quarterback!

I remember so clearly the way my mom and dad smiled at my certainty. Mom was folding my clothes, along with Dad’s, for our trip when she had looked over at me. She said, Adam, you’re the spitting image of your dad, just a younger version. I think the only difference is you’re more interested in football than singing.

That’s when I had set the record straight about my career ambitions. Dad had walked in the room just in time to hear me and said, I like football, too, buddy, but I’d rather see you singing to pretty girls than tackled by big, ugly guys!

We all laughed as Mom kept packing. She was not only collecting my stuff for the trip, but she packed Dad’s, too. She knew if it were up to him, he would either buy new clothes at every tour stop or wear the same thing he had on for the next 27 days. Without Mom, he would have stepped on that tour bus without packing anything but his guitar.

Here you go, boys. You’re all packed up and ready to go. She zipped the suitcase, and I ran over to help her lift it from the bed. Then it was time to go.

I’ll never forget reaching out and giving my mom a big hug right then. We both held on a little tighter and a little longer than usual.

Mom, you’re the best. I wish you could go with us, but I understand you need to stay here to help Grandma take care of Grandpa.

I wish I could go too, buddy, she said. But I will catch up with you guys in Louisville. Grandpa should be okay by then and Jake’s wife, Sandy, is going to come to Louisville with me.

Okay, Mom—but I’m still going to really miss you.

+ + +

I grew up with an amazing family. Mom and Dad were so close and loved each other with a love that’s rarely seen today. They met at a little church in the mountains. Mom had come from Oklahoma to visit her sister in Tennessee. Dad said he noticed how beautiful Mom was right away with her olive skin, brown eyes, and dark hair. As a strong woman of Polynesian descent, she was used to attracting attention. But she noticed Dad too, even though as he says he’s just an average Joe. They must have fallen in love pretty quickly because she never went back to Oklahoma. Her parents, my Grandma and Grandpa, moved here to Inspiration.

Inspiration is my hometown just northeast of Chattanooga, nestled right in between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachians. It was a great place to grow up. We didn’t have a lot of stuff, but I never felt poor.

My dad worked whatever jobs he had to work in order to pay the bills, but what he loved the most was writing songs and playing his guitar. He’d play local bars on most Friday and Saturday nights and then lead the worship band at church on Sunday mornings. He also played farmer’s markets and county fairs, really anywhere they’d let him.

Then he got noticed by a talent scout and signed to a major label. When I was ten, my dad charted his first single as a rising singer-songwriter on the country music scene. He was about to leave with his band to go on tour to promote his new album, which included his new #1 Billboard Country hit, These Ain’t Raindrops. At long last his dream was coming true, and Mom and I couldn’t have been happier.

Because I was out of school for spring break, I convinced Dad to take me with him on the tour bus for a few days. Mom agreed and planned to meet us on the third stop of the tour and then bring me home. The first show was planned for Richmond, Virginia, then Charlotte, North Carolina, and back through Louisville, Kentucky, where Mom was going to meet us.

I was so excited about going on tour with Dad. I’ll never forget that day, a Friday at the end of March. It had been really cloudy and windy all day. I’d heard Grandpa and his friends talk about the way, if March came in like a lamb, it would go out like a lion. If you’ve ever lived in the South, you know what that means. When the weather is clear and calm at the beginning of March, it will be stormy at the end. It sure seemed so that year.

Dad and I had been to the store to pick up some last minute supplies for the trip. We were planning to leave at 4:00 the next morning so Dad and the band could get to Richmond in time for setup and sound check for the Saturday night show. As usual, driving home my dad had the sound cranked up on the radio. Foreigner’s classic Feels Like the First Time was blaring, and my dad was using the steering wheel as a drum set while singing at the top of his lungs, I would climb any mountain…

Out of nowhere, as my dad continued to sing, the song was replaced by a piercing alarm:

This is an alert of the Emergency Weather Service. The National Weather Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for the entire region of Southeast Tennessee…Including frequent to excessive lightning… gusty winds from 45 to 55 miles per hour… up to golf ball-sized hail… until 7:30 AM EST Saturday. At least two storm systems will pass through the region during the night, dumping up to an inch of rain each hour. Flash flooding is possible. Conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. Residents in the area should remain on the alert for additional information and possible warnings.

The words of the automated voice cut through our good mood.

Dad turned the radio off and called my mom right away; we both knew she had always been terrified of thunderstorms. She would occasionally describe the tornado that ravaged her hometown in Oklahoma and killed three people when she was nine years old. Understandably, she had always been afraid of storms and the destruction they could bring.

Went to voicemail, Dad said to me before leaving his message. Emily, we just heard the weather advisory—call me.

She’s probably talking to Grandma, I said and he nodded.

Then Dad noticed he’d missed a call from Jake, his road manager, and hit the call button to call him back. Jake answered on the first ring and sounded like he’d just run a marathon.

Have you heard the news?

About the storm coming in? Dad said. Yeah, we just heard it on the radio. I tried calling Emily but didn’t get her—‘cause you know how much she hates storms.

She’s not the only one—you know what this means don’t you?

Yeah, it means it might be raining when we start out in the morning, and it probably means Emily won’t want me to leave that early.

Well too bad—we need to get out of Dodge now! Jake exclaimed.

"Now?" my dad asked.

Yes, right now. I don’t think you want to be on the road riding in a bus in the middle of a major thunderstorm, do you?

Well, not if I have a choice.

Jake continued, Then we need to get a head start on the storm and leave now. I would much rather be ahead of it as much as we can. If we don’t leave now, we could be caught in the middle of it as it passes through. The last thing we need is for some storm to make us cancel the first night of our tour just because we didn’t leave town when we could.

I don’t know…let me talk to Emily.

Dad was always concerned about Mom. Even though she’s a strong lady, he liked protecting her as much as he could.

Emily will just have to understand, Jake said. I’m sure she’ll be on board.

Dad chuckled. Yeah, we’ll see about that. Let me call you back. I’m turning in the driveway right now. Maybe I can get her to stay with her parents tonight.

We don’t have a choice, Peter, Jake sighed. The bus will be packed and at your house to pick you and Adam up at eight tonight. So be ready!

We turned into the driveway, and sure enough, Mom was on the porch talking on her cell phone and looking up at the sky. As soon as she saw us, she ended her call and ran to meet us.

Peter, I’m so glad you are home. Have you heard what’s coming?

Yeah, there’s a big storm coming in like a lion! I said.

Dad glanced at me.

Yeah, we heard, babe, he said, pulling Mom in close to him. But it’s only a forecast you know. The weather changes like… well… you know… the weather!

Mom didn’t laugh at his attempt at a joke. Yeah, but they are making this storm sound bad!

Emily, since when has a weather forecast for storms not sounded bad to you?

Peter…

I know, Dad said with an understanding smile.

We headed into the house, and Mom seemed to relax, at least for a moment. She said, I’m just glad you aren’t leaving until the morning. It should all pass by then.

Well, about that… Dad began but couldn’t finish.

What do you mean, ‘about that’?

Jake called, and…well, we were already going to leave pretty early anyway.

Mom started getting that fearful look in her eyes again. What do you mean, ‘were’, and ‘anyway’? You aren’t leaving tonight are you?

Dad hesitated.

"You are, aren’t you?"

Jake thinks we need to beat the storm and—

"Beat the storm? So you do believe it will storm tonight don’t you?" She was about to cry.

Dad hesitated again, searching for the right words to say. They had left me in the kitchen to get a snack, but I could still hear their conversation.

Emily, it’s going to be okay. It’s probably just going to be a lot of rain, and Jake doesn’t want us to be late for setup and sound check for our first night. You know this tour is huge for us—for my career, for our family, for all of us. Why don’t you just stay at your mom and dad’s tonight? After all, they have that bedroom down in the basement. You and Adam can sleep down there and never even hear a storm if it comes through.

I was ready to rush in and protest, but Mom was already ahead of me.

Don’t forget Adam is going with you and I am picking him up in Louisville.

I didn’t mean to say that. I know Adam is going. You know I want Adam to be with me on this trip—and I want you to be with us, too.

You know I would if I could, she said. But with my dad’s outpatient surgery on his shoulder tomorrow, I need to stay and help Mom take care of him.

Emily, you know I love your mom and dad and completely understand why you can’t be with us on tour. But I do have to go, and we need to leave tonight. Yes, a little storm will probably come through, and it would be better for us to be ahead of it instead of risk missing our opening night. You’ll be safe with your folks, and we’ll be safely ahead of the storm and almost to Richmond when you wake up in the morning. It’s all going to be okay.

Mom visibly relaxed and fell into Dad’s arms. He always had a way of saying the right thing at the right time, especially when he felt like he was in a tight spot.

You’re right, honey, she said. I’ll call Mom and let her know I’m staying over there tonight. Lord knows, I’d rather be in their basement than here on top of this hill by myself in the middle of a storm.

Great. You call your mom, get Adam ready, and I’ll tell Jake we’ll be ready to leave by eight.

"Eight?"

Emily…

Okay, right—eight it is.

+ + +

Unknown to Mom and Dad, weather forecasters only became more and more concerned about the night ahead. The approaching line of storms was beginning to