Brainstorming is a proven creativity tool. But it's easy to miss great ideas when one person dominates the session, or when people are too afraid to voice their most creative thoughts for fear of being judged. We must allow everyone to contribute.
Imagine that we've gathered our educators together for a much-needed brainstorming session, focusing on the most effective way to manage the school. Bill, the most talkative and forceful member of our staff, immediately asserts that police and parent involvement are the best platforms to use. Staff would follow on to contribute ideas that go along with Bill's. Ten minutes later, the staff would be immersed in police and parent ideas. No one else would’ve submitted any other options, once Bill had set the direction.
It's all too easy to start a brainstorming session with good intentions, but then to overlook or miss potentially great ideas, simply because one assertive person sets the tone for the entire meeting. This is why at meetings I encourage around the table discussions or round-robin. I feel this method allows staff members to generate ideas without being influenced by any one person. We can then take these ideas into the next stage of the problem-solving process.
A possible idea at our next strategic meeting would be to have the staff around a table. Each person will receive some index cards, so that they can record their ideas on individual pieces of card in silence. Once everyone has written down an idea, each person will pass their idea to the person next to them. Everyone should now be holding a new card with their neighbour’s idea written down on it. Each person will now use their neighbour’s idea as inspiration to create another idea, which they will then write on a fresh index card. And continue to hand it to their neighbour.
Advantages and Disadvantages is that our staff will use each other’s ideas to generate even more ideas, without being influenced by assertive or vocal members of the staff. Another advantage of this approach is that it also ensures that everyone in your room gets an equal chance to present their ideas including shy staff members. A disadvantage is that it won't be anonymous. When staff pass ideas around the room, they might hold back simply because they know that the person next to them will see what they have written. Another disadvantage is that each person gets inspiration for their new idea from the ideas of only one other person, rather than from the entire group. We could solve this by gathering the ideas at each stage, shuffling them, and then passing them out again; rather than having staff pass their ideas to the person next to them.
Let’s give this a go at the next strategic meeting.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Confidence! Got it?
Confidence is believing in your own abilities. You know you're the goods and you believe you can win or succeed. This is where I would ask the staff to look at themselves and their role in the school structures. Success is a truly wonderful feeling. But to gain more confidence, you need to understand one crucial thing and teaching is the one area which highlights the following:
Confidence is NOT a choice.
Most sport psychology books we ask the learners to read, tell you it is. They tell you that if you want confidence, all you need to do is ask yourself for it. You're supposed to repeat to yourself things like:
"I feel great today."
"I'm calm, confident, and cheerful right now."
"Elvin, go out there and be confident."
"The school is going to have a great day today!"
Sort of a 'fake 'it till you make it' approach. Rubbish ...because it doesn't work. You can't trick yourself. Let me repeat: You CANNOT trick yourself.
Here's why...
If you're not feeling confident, it means you're feeling fear, doubt, anxiety, or depression.
And when you're feeling these feelings, it doesn't work to pretend you're not. It doesn't work because 9 times out of 10, your fear is there for a reason. The learners pick up on that fear, doubt or anxiety. They feed off your emotions.
When your body is saying, "Awe! Wake up! Pay attention!” Your blood pressure is through the roof, you are short tempered, these are the signs that your confidence is low.
And when someone as important as your body is talking, the right thing to do is LISTEN.
Usually your body is making a request. Confidence is the gift that keeps on giving.
It keeps you motivated, passionate, and ready to compete.
Confidence is NOT a choice.
Most sport psychology books we ask the learners to read, tell you it is. They tell you that if you want confidence, all you need to do is ask yourself for it. You're supposed to repeat to yourself things like:
"I feel great today."
"I'm calm, confident, and cheerful right now."
"Elvin, go out there and be confident."
"The school is going to have a great day today!"
Sort of a 'fake 'it till you make it' approach. Rubbish ...because it doesn't work. You can't trick yourself. Let me repeat: You CANNOT trick yourself.
Here's why...
If you're not feeling confident, it means you're feeling fear, doubt, anxiety, or depression.
And when you're feeling these feelings, it doesn't work to pretend you're not. It doesn't work because 9 times out of 10, your fear is there for a reason. The learners pick up on that fear, doubt or anxiety. They feed off your emotions.
When your body is saying, "Awe! Wake up! Pay attention!” Your blood pressure is through the roof, you are short tempered, these are the signs that your confidence is low.
And when someone as important as your body is talking, the right thing to do is LISTEN.
Usually your body is making a request. Confidence is the gift that keeps on giving.
It keeps you motivated, passionate, and ready to compete.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Twittering tweeter
When some people hear the word "Twitter," they automatically think of wasting time. After all, how can you have time for work when you're telling people what you had for lunch, or spreading the gossip from your 2 p.m. staff meeting? It's true that Twitter can be a distraction. But it can also be an important resource for both personal and organizational growth.
Twitter is a social networking site that allows users to connect with each other and send short messages, or "tweets," about what they're doing or thinking. Imagine that! What if the school assigned a learner to an educator or vice versa, an educator assigned to an individual or number of learners to monitor their daily activities? Your "followers" would see your tweets in a rolling feed, called a timeline, when they log into the service on their arrival at school.
Each educator could decide what they want to tweet. Tweets can be trivial - "what someone ate for breakfast" example - or they can be significant and valuable, for example, when they highlight key news, or articles from the school.
Here are some tips to help you learn the lingo of ‘tweeeting’
Hashtag - (#) can help people track different topics to find information easily. Simply put the # symbol in front of your tweet's most relevant word, or use it to "tag" a tweet under a certain category. For example, #leadership or #football.
Followers - These are your friends or connections - the people who are following your tweets. Your tweets will appear on their timelines. But please remember, all tweets are technically "public" and searchable unless you decide to make your account private. Be careful what you say.
@ Replies - If you want to tweet to someone else, use @ right before that person's username. For example, tweet "@mary45 I saw your tweet. Interesting!" - and mary45 will get the message in her timeline (if she follows you).
If you put the person's name at the very start of the tweet, as in the example above, only you, her, and people who follow both of you will see the Tweet in their timelines. If you put her name elsewhere in the message, everyone who follows you will see the tweet. For example, this would happen if you tweeted "Me and @mary45 are working on a new matric dance proposal."
Use a strong headline - Most followers simply scan Twitter, so your "headline" should be effective and authentic enough to capture their attention. Keep it short -
Twitter allows only 140 characters, so your messages must be simple yet powerful.
Write clearly - Use the same good writing rules you would use when writing any professional document. Grammar and style - and proofreading - still matter with Twitter.
Keep it useful - If you tweet a link or share an article, make sure it's something that your followers will find useful or valuable. Get “tweeting”...
Twitter is a social networking site that allows users to connect with each other and send short messages, or "tweets," about what they're doing or thinking. Imagine that! What if the school assigned a learner to an educator or vice versa, an educator assigned to an individual or number of learners to monitor their daily activities? Your "followers" would see your tweets in a rolling feed, called a timeline, when they log into the service on their arrival at school.
Each educator could decide what they want to tweet. Tweets can be trivial - "what someone ate for breakfast" example - or they can be significant and valuable, for example, when they highlight key news, or articles from the school.
Here are some tips to help you learn the lingo of ‘tweeeting’
Hashtag - (#) can help people track different topics to find information easily. Simply put the # symbol in front of your tweet's most relevant word, or use it to "tag" a tweet under a certain category. For example, #leadership or #football.
Followers - These are your friends or connections - the people who are following your tweets. Your tweets will appear on their timelines. But please remember, all tweets are technically "public" and searchable unless you decide to make your account private. Be careful what you say.
@ Replies - If you want to tweet to someone else, use @ right before that person's username. For example, tweet "@mary45 I saw your tweet. Interesting!" - and mary45 will get the message in her timeline (if she follows you).
If you put the person's name at the very start of the tweet, as in the example above, only you, her, and people who follow both of you will see the Tweet in their timelines. If you put her name elsewhere in the message, everyone who follows you will see the tweet. For example, this would happen if you tweeted "Me and @mary45 are working on a new matric dance proposal."
Use a strong headline - Most followers simply scan Twitter, so your "headline" should be effective and authentic enough to capture their attention. Keep it short -
Twitter allows only 140 characters, so your messages must be simple yet powerful.
Write clearly - Use the same good writing rules you would use when writing any professional document. Grammar and style - and proofreading - still matter with Twitter.
Keep it useful - If you tweet a link or share an article, make sure it's something that your followers will find useful or valuable. Get “tweeting”...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My Athletic goal?
Every new season brings up the question: what are my athletic goals for this
year? And do I need goals anyway?
Your current desires represent the next stage in your evolution. What you want -- right now -- is moving you to the next phase in your development.
This is why winning matters. To attain your goals, you must become an athlete worthy of them.
To win, you must be a highly skilled athlete with excellent fundamentals.
You must have an intense work ethic. You must build trust and harmony with
your coaches and teammates. You need to know how to perform at your best under pressure.
Every time you fail in one of these areas, you question your abilities as a human being. You feel bitter, distrustful, and angry. Continued losing undermines your self-esteem and self-respect.
Most human misery stems from not realizing our deepest aspirations. There is much suppressed sadness in the heart over broken dreams and relationships.
There is a simple exercise that can transform your entire year in sport.
Take out a fresh piece of paper and record 10 goals for the next 12 months. Let yourself dream a little. What technical skills do you want to improve? Do you want to be a better leader or more gracious teammate? Do you want to shine in a final game or race?
Next, chose your most important goal,and place it at the top of the list. For the next year, protect this goal like you would your own child. It is a dream that matters to you,and deserves to be cherished. Take action every day towards it,
no matter how small.
year? And do I need goals anyway?
Your current desires represent the next stage in your evolution. What you want -- right now -- is moving you to the next phase in your development.
This is why winning matters. To attain your goals, you must become an athlete worthy of them.
To win, you must be a highly skilled athlete with excellent fundamentals.
You must have an intense work ethic. You must build trust and harmony with
your coaches and teammates. You need to know how to perform at your best under pressure.
Every time you fail in one of these areas, you question your abilities as a human being. You feel bitter, distrustful, and angry. Continued losing undermines your self-esteem and self-respect.
Most human misery stems from not realizing our deepest aspirations. There is much suppressed sadness in the heart over broken dreams and relationships.
There is a simple exercise that can transform your entire year in sport.
Take out a fresh piece of paper and record 10 goals for the next 12 months. Let yourself dream a little. What technical skills do you want to improve? Do you want to be a better leader or more gracious teammate? Do you want to shine in a final game or race?
Next, chose your most important goal,and place it at the top of the list. For the next year, protect this goal like you would your own child. It is a dream that matters to you,and deserves to be cherished. Take action every day towards it,
no matter how small.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Rattling your opponents cage!
Has a coach, teammate or rival ever been rude to you? Or worse, refuse to pass to you? If so, you know how much people can rattle your cage. No matter how mentally tough you are, you're still a human being...which means the energy of other people affects you. When Michael Jordan attended his first all-star game as a rookie, NBA star Isiah Thomas of Detroit froze him out.
Why?
Because Michael didn't say hello to him in an elevator. Actually, Michael was petrified of coming across as cocky.
The elevator was full of older, star players and Michael was intimidated. But Isiah, angry about being snubbed, tried to embarrass Michael by not passing him the ball. It hurt Michael terribly. He was completely disillusioned.
Finally he decided what to do:
"I knew that everything happened for a purpose and I could either learn from it or fight it. I decided to do both. The next night we played Detroit at home and I played like I was possessed. We beat the Pistons in a very physical game."
When people freeze you out, the first thing you need to do is find out WHY. If you were selfish, cocky, or downright narcissistic, you can apologize. But if you didn't do anything wrong - and they are simply being small - then you have a choice. You can crawl to them mentally. Or you can tap into your natural desire for vengeance.
See, underneath the athlete's competitive instinct is the desire for vengeance, to get even. It's totally natural.
Express it in a constructive way, like Michael did, and you can tap into it as a source of strengh. If you turn vengeance inward on yourself, you'll simply implode.
You'll get depressed and become passive. That's why when you are wronged, you need to harness your vengeance for maximum performance. Later, you can talk to this person, if appropriate. But I recommend taking care of business first. And that means winning.
You don't play angry.
Angry is out of control. You will not like your results if you play angry. Instead, you play determined.
Resolute and focused. With an iron will.
Why?
Because Michael didn't say hello to him in an elevator. Actually, Michael was petrified of coming across as cocky.
The elevator was full of older, star players and Michael was intimidated. But Isiah, angry about being snubbed, tried to embarrass Michael by not passing him the ball. It hurt Michael terribly. He was completely disillusioned.
Finally he decided what to do:
"I knew that everything happened for a purpose and I could either learn from it or fight it. I decided to do both. The next night we played Detroit at home and I played like I was possessed. We beat the Pistons in a very physical game."
When people freeze you out, the first thing you need to do is find out WHY. If you were selfish, cocky, or downright narcissistic, you can apologize. But if you didn't do anything wrong - and they are simply being small - then you have a choice. You can crawl to them mentally. Or you can tap into your natural desire for vengeance.
See, underneath the athlete's competitive instinct is the desire for vengeance, to get even. It's totally natural.
Express it in a constructive way, like Michael did, and you can tap into it as a source of strengh. If you turn vengeance inward on yourself, you'll simply implode.
You'll get depressed and become passive. That's why when you are wronged, you need to harness your vengeance for maximum performance. Later, you can talk to this person, if appropriate. But I recommend taking care of business first. And that means winning.
You don't play angry.
Angry is out of control. You will not like your results if you play angry. Instead, you play determined.
Resolute and focused. With an iron will.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Cheers, to your High Performance team!
A team needs to know where it is going, and why it is meaningful to get there.
A lot has been made of vision, purpose, mission etc.. but for me it doesn’t exactly fit what we now know about teams. Most sports teams will create goals for the season, ‘where they want to go’ – however very few will be able to say why they want to achieve that goal, and even fewer will have a meaningful reason attached to the goal. The why is critical as it raises the importance or specialness of the goal and that energy can be used to up the intensity and commitment in and out of game time.
To maximise the performance of any team, you need to understand team dynamics and how team dynamics can support or hinder performance.
Because every high performance team is unique, for me there is no generic unifying model of what to do, how to do it or any sorts of measurements that can be consistently applied. This area has been fascinating to me, and so currently we are looking to see if we can create exactly that - a high performance team model…. watch this space. (If there is already such a model, I would love to hear about it – please let me know) However if you get a handle on the things that affect team dynamics, it will help with your awareness of what is going on.
People – add one extra person to your squad or management team, or take one away and the dynamics shift and change – not always for the better. Some people in high performance sport believe that the one secret to success is having as many of your (fit) top players on the field together as possible, playing for as much time as possible. This makes sense, but the concept is often abused with star players playing through serious injury and underperforming or worsening their injury.
Leadership – a critical piece, a change of leadership or even the empowering of leaders within your side can dramatically improve team dynamics.
The work that is done – dynamics change from pre-season to in-season, to knock out stages, to tournaments. Understanding that means that as a coach or player your approach needs to be flexible.
The amount of team the team has been together – as team’s mature, things change. Trust and comfort is often a result of a team staying together, provided that strong leadership ensure there were no rifts or divisions in the team. What works for a team in its first year, may not necessarily work as well again. Teams need to be aware of what makes them successful, whilst at the same time re-examining their processes when appropriate.
The system the team is in (and the systems they create) – The people around the team, the other teams that are related to the team, the administration or club management, or even school administration all has an affect on a team. There are other systems: supporters, press, family, friends and loved ones, and so the list goes on. Sometimes the affect from a system is subtle, sometimes it is significant. Most of the time this affect is almost ‘accidental’ in that it wasn’t planned, so the chances of this affect being positive is a lot slimmer than if it was a purposeful affect.
For example a 1st team at school makes a point of visiting a junior teams locker room to tell them that they believe in them and support them fully vs the 1st team rugby players arriving late in the day, with plenty of time before their match, but missing a lot of their junior sides playing.
To your high performance team!
A lot has been made of vision, purpose, mission etc.. but for me it doesn’t exactly fit what we now know about teams. Most sports teams will create goals for the season, ‘where they want to go’ – however very few will be able to say why they want to achieve that goal, and even fewer will have a meaningful reason attached to the goal. The why is critical as it raises the importance or specialness of the goal and that energy can be used to up the intensity and commitment in and out of game time.
To maximise the performance of any team, you need to understand team dynamics and how team dynamics can support or hinder performance.
Because every high performance team is unique, for me there is no generic unifying model of what to do, how to do it or any sorts of measurements that can be consistently applied. This area has been fascinating to me, and so currently we are looking to see if we can create exactly that - a high performance team model…. watch this space. (If there is already such a model, I would love to hear about it – please let me know) However if you get a handle on the things that affect team dynamics, it will help with your awareness of what is going on.
People – add one extra person to your squad or management team, or take one away and the dynamics shift and change – not always for the better. Some people in high performance sport believe that the one secret to success is having as many of your (fit) top players on the field together as possible, playing for as much time as possible. This makes sense, but the concept is often abused with star players playing through serious injury and underperforming or worsening their injury.
Leadership – a critical piece, a change of leadership or even the empowering of leaders within your side can dramatically improve team dynamics.
The work that is done – dynamics change from pre-season to in-season, to knock out stages, to tournaments. Understanding that means that as a coach or player your approach needs to be flexible.
The amount of team the team has been together – as team’s mature, things change. Trust and comfort is often a result of a team staying together, provided that strong leadership ensure there were no rifts or divisions in the team. What works for a team in its first year, may not necessarily work as well again. Teams need to be aware of what makes them successful, whilst at the same time re-examining their processes when appropriate.
The system the team is in (and the systems they create) – The people around the team, the other teams that are related to the team, the administration or club management, or even school administration all has an affect on a team. There are other systems: supporters, press, family, friends and loved ones, and so the list goes on. Sometimes the affect from a system is subtle, sometimes it is significant. Most of the time this affect is almost ‘accidental’ in that it wasn’t planned, so the chances of this affect being positive is a lot slimmer than if it was a purposeful affect.
For example a 1st team at school makes a point of visiting a junior teams locker room to tell them that they believe in them and support them fully vs the 1st team rugby players arriving late in the day, with plenty of time before their match, but missing a lot of their junior sides playing.
To your high performance team!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Teachers as equal
I swear… to hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents. To make him partner in my livelihood – when he is in need of money to share mine with him. To consider his family as my own brothers and to teach them this art, if they want to learn it – without fee or indenture.Hippocrates on Teachers and Teaching
Imagine if all the learners we taught could have the sentiments expressed by the quote above? To be held equal to the family members and then to share all our worldly possessions without asking for a fee! Wow! As the first group of matriculants leave the school and begin their journey on a road less familiar to them, I wonder who will need our support on this trek and who will return with praises of thanks for giving them the tools to cope and make the correct decisions along the road?
Children are like miniature adults. They are people with their own feelings, their own personalities, and their own preferences. So the question begs to be asked: How would you feel if the school governing body of our school forced you to share?
Pretend you just got a new car. It's a brand new “merc”, and all of your neighbours want to take a spin in your car. Socialism would dictate that you do not have a right to something so wonderful and that you must share with your colleagues. And oh yeah, now that you have a new car, you do not need that old one anymore. You will have to give that one away for free to a fellow teacher who does not have one.
Well, fortunately this is not a socialistic society, and if our government tried to play that game with us, we would be up in arms. We would be toi-toi-ing on the streets, yelling, "What about my rights?"
Sharing is not really a generous offer unless you do it because you want to, and forcing anyone does not help them learn to share. It only steals away the joy of giving. I would like to believe that with the school and its journey into the next year that we all look at what it is that we are willing to share with each other, the learners and the people we meet in and around the school. Share the positive moments the successes and fun stories about the learners.
Mouth marketing has always been an interest of mine and I believe in the power of verbal communication. The mathematicians would be able to work out just how many people we could reach through each one on the staff talking to 10 people about the school. I believe it is 10 to the power of 3 for every staff member if it is a positive comment and 10 to the power of 5 for a negative comment.
Have an awesome weekend!
Imagine if all the learners we taught could have the sentiments expressed by the quote above? To be held equal to the family members and then to share all our worldly possessions without asking for a fee! Wow! As the first group of matriculants leave the school and begin their journey on a road less familiar to them, I wonder who will need our support on this trek and who will return with praises of thanks for giving them the tools to cope and make the correct decisions along the road?
Children are like miniature adults. They are people with their own feelings, their own personalities, and their own preferences. So the question begs to be asked: How would you feel if the school governing body of our school forced you to share?
Pretend you just got a new car. It's a brand new “merc”, and all of your neighbours want to take a spin in your car. Socialism would dictate that you do not have a right to something so wonderful and that you must share with your colleagues. And oh yeah, now that you have a new car, you do not need that old one anymore. You will have to give that one away for free to a fellow teacher who does not have one.
Well, fortunately this is not a socialistic society, and if our government tried to play that game with us, we would be up in arms. We would be toi-toi-ing on the streets, yelling, "What about my rights?"
Sharing is not really a generous offer unless you do it because you want to, and forcing anyone does not help them learn to share. It only steals away the joy of giving. I would like to believe that with the school and its journey into the next year that we all look at what it is that we are willing to share with each other, the learners and the people we meet in and around the school. Share the positive moments the successes and fun stories about the learners.
Mouth marketing has always been an interest of mine and I believe in the power of verbal communication. The mathematicians would be able to work out just how many people we could reach through each one on the staff talking to 10 people about the school. I believe it is 10 to the power of 3 for every staff member if it is a positive comment and 10 to the power of 5 for a negative comment.
Have an awesome weekend!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Become a highly effective leader!
What does the future hold for you and your career at Western Cape Sport School? Most of us ponder this question from time to time… "When I get time, I'm going to get back into shape/play the piano/find someone famous ". But in reality, what we want tends to evolve and change throughout each day of our lives.
As we learn and gain experience, we find our strengths and build our skills. When we stumble, we find new ways to cope and adapt. As we find success, we extend our ambitions. And so, as we change and grow, we shape our futures. Setting personal goals is a powerful process, and I would like to use your goals for motivating change within the school to turn the original vision of the Western Cape Sport School into reality.
More than this, sharing our goals can be incredibly motivating to each other, and as you get into the habit of setting, sharing and achieving your personal goals, you'll find that your self-confidence builds and those around you develop a similar sense of accomplishment. The Western Cape Sport School’s Goals are set on a number of different levels: First we need to create the "big picture" of what we want to do with the school, and what large-scale goals we want to achieve. Secondly, we need to break these down into the smaller and smaller targets that each one of us must hit so that we can reach our shared goals. Finally, once we have a plan, we can start working to achieve it.
We start this process with discovering everyone’s “Goals”, and work down to the things we can do today to start moving towards them.
We need to develop the idea of a "boundary less organization." This means that everyone is free to brainstorm and think of ideas - instead of waiting for someone "higher up" in the bureaucracy to think of them first. As a team you have been "turned loose," and I promise to listen to ideas from anyone in the school. Everyone from the learners, to the non-educating staff, to senior managers, you have my attention - if you have something to say or a new idea that might make the school better, ‘just talk’.
Let us all stay true to our passions and what we know is right.
As we learn and gain experience, we find our strengths and build our skills. When we stumble, we find new ways to cope and adapt. As we find success, we extend our ambitions. And so, as we change and grow, we shape our futures. Setting personal goals is a powerful process, and I would like to use your goals for motivating change within the school to turn the original vision of the Western Cape Sport School into reality.
More than this, sharing our goals can be incredibly motivating to each other, and as you get into the habit of setting, sharing and achieving your personal goals, you'll find that your self-confidence builds and those around you develop a similar sense of accomplishment. The Western Cape Sport School’s Goals are set on a number of different levels: First we need to create the "big picture" of what we want to do with the school, and what large-scale goals we want to achieve. Secondly, we need to break these down into the smaller and smaller targets that each one of us must hit so that we can reach our shared goals. Finally, once we have a plan, we can start working to achieve it.
We start this process with discovering everyone’s “Goals”, and work down to the things we can do today to start moving towards them.
We need to develop the idea of a "boundary less organization." This means that everyone is free to brainstorm and think of ideas - instead of waiting for someone "higher up" in the bureaucracy to think of them first. As a team you have been "turned loose," and I promise to listen to ideas from anyone in the school. Everyone from the learners, to the non-educating staff, to senior managers, you have my attention - if you have something to say or a new idea that might make the school better, ‘just talk’.
Let us all stay true to our passions and what we know is right.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Lessons learnt from a life in learning
“There is no greater undertaking than exists in schools”(Sean Friedenthal)
Whether it is a minister or a missionary, whose position and profession exclude a certain group of people; nobody has the group of people to work with that teachers do. It is a privilege to have the involvement with people and the influence on the future that teachers do.
Habits of excellent teachers
1. Believe in people
2. Take risks on the growing edge
3. Keep learning
4. Plan thoroughly
5. Nurture your faith
6. Use findings of the latest neuroscience research
7. Reflect
How to maintain discipline in classrooms
• Create an ethos that celebrates what is good rather than just punishing what is bad.
Learners who are on the cusp of either good or bad behaviour will lean towards the side which you give most attention to (i.e. if more of your attention is on punishment of what is bad, they will lean towards that to get your attention)
• What you condone, you authorize to exist.
• What you want from kids, you have to give to them in return and more so.
How to engage young people
• Get them involved in the learning process.
• Assuming basic education (literacy and numeracy) is in place, focus more on emotional education.
Measuring success in teaching:
• In the short term, measurable results such as final marks and matric results are the only way.
• True success in teaching is measured in the thirst for further learning that you have cultivated in your students.
• An important lesson to teach kids is to imbue them with the tendency to selfless service to their community.
Lessons learned from a life in teaching:
• We need to teach children to deal with failure correctly
• Don’t move too quickly in your career to seek promotion, because this results in too much lateral movement.
• Teaching can consume you and it is important to work together with the people in your life to create some sort of balance to deal with this
• Teamwork in teaching is essential, since it builds the capacity of yourself and the entire institution.
Good education systems have:
• The best people as teachers
• Good training for teachers and principals
• Good support for mediocre students
• Good maths and science programs
An effective Governing body:
• Is supportive of the school, but not controlling.
• Involved in fundraising, but not demanding.
• Should not attempt to micro-manage a school, because this undermines everyone in a leadership position within the school
• Has a role of oversight and monitoring, not undermining.
• Puts in place a good succession plan for all leadership positions in the school to ensure a seamless takeover of duties!
Rest a little, thank you for your support!
Whether it is a minister or a missionary, whose position and profession exclude a certain group of people; nobody has the group of people to work with that teachers do. It is a privilege to have the involvement with people and the influence on the future that teachers do.
Habits of excellent teachers
1. Believe in people
2. Take risks on the growing edge
3. Keep learning
4. Plan thoroughly
5. Nurture your faith
6. Use findings of the latest neuroscience research
7. Reflect
How to maintain discipline in classrooms
• Create an ethos that celebrates what is good rather than just punishing what is bad.
Learners who are on the cusp of either good or bad behaviour will lean towards the side which you give most attention to (i.e. if more of your attention is on punishment of what is bad, they will lean towards that to get your attention)
• What you condone, you authorize to exist.
• What you want from kids, you have to give to them in return and more so.
How to engage young people
• Get them involved in the learning process.
• Assuming basic education (literacy and numeracy) is in place, focus more on emotional education.
Measuring success in teaching:
• In the short term, measurable results such as final marks and matric results are the only way.
• True success in teaching is measured in the thirst for further learning that you have cultivated in your students.
• An important lesson to teach kids is to imbue them with the tendency to selfless service to their community.
Lessons learned from a life in teaching:
• We need to teach children to deal with failure correctly
• Don’t move too quickly in your career to seek promotion, because this results in too much lateral movement.
• Teaching can consume you and it is important to work together with the people in your life to create some sort of balance to deal with this
• Teamwork in teaching is essential, since it builds the capacity of yourself and the entire institution.
Good education systems have:
• The best people as teachers
• Good training for teachers and principals
• Good support for mediocre students
• Good maths and science programs
An effective Governing body:
• Is supportive of the school, but not controlling.
• Involved in fundraising, but not demanding.
• Should not attempt to micro-manage a school, because this undermines everyone in a leadership position within the school
• Has a role of oversight and monitoring, not undermining.
• Puts in place a good succession plan for all leadership positions in the school to ensure a seamless takeover of duties!
Rest a little, thank you for your support!
Do learners really need teachers?
With the wage strike still ongoing and more than half the teaching staff exercising their right to protest at the Western Cape Sport School, I thought I might begin with a question or two today, just to get those here thinking about things. Let’s begin by asking whether the learners really do require the attention of teachers, and confinement in school, in order to learn. In other words, are teachers really necessary?
Even more radically, some news paper writers have suggested that young people may be their own best teachers. For example, they say research on the process of acquiring a language indicates that we learn, not by being taught by others, but from everyday experience – by listening to others, trying out patterns of words, and eventually discarding ones that don’t seem to work.
Teachers are ordinary but unique people who become teachers for different reasons, have different teaching objectives, and work in different circumstances, against a background of unequal educational provision.
I believe the impulse to teach is fundamentally humane and represents a desire to share what you value and to empower others. I began teaching when I was twenty-five and my students were thirteen years old. Now I’m forty-something and those youngsters are in their thirties. There’s not as much difference between forty-something and thirty, as between twenty five and twelve. I believe your students ‘catch up’ with you and quite often end up knowing more than you do. It’s wonderful to witness that continuous growth at the same time as you’re taking on another group of learners. You can see and feel your students grow, and that finally is the
reason to teach and the reward of teaching.
To all the staff at Western Cape Sport School, whether you were here or not whether you felt the need to strike or not... Your time and effort placed in educating the learners is appreciated by me and the community we serve.
Have a little break this weekend and return to the school ready to continue with the sterling work you already do.
Even more radically, some news paper writers have suggested that young people may be their own best teachers. For example, they say research on the process of acquiring a language indicates that we learn, not by being taught by others, but from everyday experience – by listening to others, trying out patterns of words, and eventually discarding ones that don’t seem to work.
Teachers are ordinary but unique people who become teachers for different reasons, have different teaching objectives, and work in different circumstances, against a background of unequal educational provision.
I believe the impulse to teach is fundamentally humane and represents a desire to share what you value and to empower others. I began teaching when I was twenty-five and my students were thirteen years old. Now I’m forty-something and those youngsters are in their thirties. There’s not as much difference between forty-something and thirty, as between twenty five and twelve. I believe your students ‘catch up’ with you and quite often end up knowing more than you do. It’s wonderful to witness that continuous growth at the same time as you’re taking on another group of learners. You can see and feel your students grow, and that finally is the
reason to teach and the reward of teaching.
To all the staff at Western Cape Sport School, whether you were here or not whether you felt the need to strike or not... Your time and effort placed in educating the learners is appreciated by me and the community we serve.
Have a little break this weekend and return to the school ready to continue with the sterling work you already do.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Quick Fix
Generally, I don't like quick fix advice, but there is a magical phrase that will erase conflict if you are genuine when you use it.
I read it recently...a simple piece of advice that said, 'When you've upset someone, don't justify yourself or argue.
Simply say, 'I'm so sorry I upset you. Would you forgive me?'
I had occasion to use it, too. I upset my sister and it really was my fault.
Normally with my sister I'm a little stubborn. I like to explain myself if I've made a mistake, or tell her she's overreacting.
But this time I didn't. I just said, 'I'm so sorry I upset you ...and I love you so much. Will you forgive me?'
After a little while she wanted to hear my explanation. I didn't have to force it on her, and she understood.
The next time you upset someone, try this approach. It's honest, and at the very least, the person you're dealing with will appreciate your vulnerability.
Of course, your tone of voice and attitude when you say this is priceless.
You need to convey a genuine humility...and attitude that you 'get' how interdependent we all are on each other...and that you're not stuck on appearing right, or looking good, or winning an argument.
Being stubborn when you're wrong or have hurt someone accidentally is easy.
But no matter how strong we THINK our stubbornness makes us appear, what it conveys low self-esteem.
A genuine, heartfelt apology takes tremendous self-acceptance. It also keeps your relationships harmonious, which makes you happy.
My question to you is, Would you rather be stubborn or happy?
Try this simple phrase the next time you make a mistake in your relationships.
You will get a positive reaction that will instantly boost your self-esteem.
All of your relationships will improve.
You'll start getting the love, appreciation, and admiration you've always wanted.
Having profoundly happy relationships really is as easy as knowing the principles of success in them.
It will raise your confidence in relationships immeasurably.
People will start responding to you differently.
You'll start getting the love, appreciation, and respect you deserve.
Success in relationships really is as easy as knowing which strategy to use with your friends and family depending on what's going on.
I read it recently...a simple piece of advice that said, 'When you've upset someone, don't justify yourself or argue.
Simply say, 'I'm so sorry I upset you. Would you forgive me?'
I had occasion to use it, too. I upset my sister and it really was my fault.
Normally with my sister I'm a little stubborn. I like to explain myself if I've made a mistake, or tell her she's overreacting.
But this time I didn't. I just said, 'I'm so sorry I upset you ...and I love you so much. Will you forgive me?'
After a little while she wanted to hear my explanation. I didn't have to force it on her, and she understood.
The next time you upset someone, try this approach. It's honest, and at the very least, the person you're dealing with will appreciate your vulnerability.
Of course, your tone of voice and attitude when you say this is priceless.
You need to convey a genuine humility...and attitude that you 'get' how interdependent we all are on each other...and that you're not stuck on appearing right, or looking good, or winning an argument.
Being stubborn when you're wrong or have hurt someone accidentally is easy.
But no matter how strong we THINK our stubbornness makes us appear, what it conveys low self-esteem.
A genuine, heartfelt apology takes tremendous self-acceptance. It also keeps your relationships harmonious, which makes you happy.
My question to you is, Would you rather be stubborn or happy?
Try this simple phrase the next time you make a mistake in your relationships.
You will get a positive reaction that will instantly boost your self-esteem.
All of your relationships will improve.
You'll start getting the love, appreciation, and admiration you've always wanted.
Having profoundly happy relationships really is as easy as knowing the principles of success in them.
It will raise your confidence in relationships immeasurably.
People will start responding to you differently.
You'll start getting the love, appreciation, and respect you deserve.
Success in relationships really is as easy as knowing which strategy to use with your friends and family depending on what's going on.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Teachers' Strike
With the wage strike still ongoing and more than half the teaching staff exercising their right to protest at the Western Cape Sport School, I thought I might begin with a question or two today, just to get those here thinking about things. Let’s begin by asking whether the learners really do require the attention of teachers, and confinement in school, in order to learn. In other words, are teachers really necessary?
Even more radically, some news paper writers have suggested that young people may be their own best teachers. For example, they say research on the process of acquiring a language indicates that we learn, not by being taught by others, but from everyday experience – by listening to others, trying out patterns of words, and eventually discarding ones that don’t seem to work.
Teachers are ordinary but unique people who become teachers for different reasons, have different teaching objectives, and work in different circumstances, against a background of unequal educational provision.
I believe the impulse to teach is fundamentally humane and represents a desire to share what you value and to empower others. I began teaching when I was twenty-five and my students were thirteen years old. Now I’m forty-something and those youngsters are in their thirties. There’s not as much difference between forty-something and thirty, as between twenty five and twelve. I believe your students ‘catch up’ with you and quite often end up knowing more than you do. It’s wonderful to witness that continuous growth at the same time as you’re taking on another group of learners. You can see and feel your students grow, and that finally is the
reason to teach and the reward of teaching.
To all the staff at Western Cape Sport School, whether you were here or not whether you felt the need to strike or not... Your time and effort placed in educating the learners is appreciated by me and the community we serve.
Even more radically, some news paper writers have suggested that young people may be their own best teachers. For example, they say research on the process of acquiring a language indicates that we learn, not by being taught by others, but from everyday experience – by listening to others, trying out patterns of words, and eventually discarding ones that don’t seem to work.
Teachers are ordinary but unique people who become teachers for different reasons, have different teaching objectives, and work in different circumstances, against a background of unequal educational provision.
I believe the impulse to teach is fundamentally humane and represents a desire to share what you value and to empower others. I began teaching when I was twenty-five and my students were thirteen years old. Now I’m forty-something and those youngsters are in their thirties. There’s not as much difference between forty-something and thirty, as between twenty five and twelve. I believe your students ‘catch up’ with you and quite often end up knowing more than you do. It’s wonderful to witness that continuous growth at the same time as you’re taking on another group of learners. You can see and feel your students grow, and that finally is the
reason to teach and the reward of teaching.
To all the staff at Western Cape Sport School, whether you were here or not whether you felt the need to strike or not... Your time and effort placed in educating the learners is appreciated by me and the community we serve.
Putting in the hours!
I went to a press conference yesterday with the coach, captain and chairman of Ajax Cape Town football club. They were asked what it would take to get more local players into the big European leagues. Straight away they said that all of their players were keen to make the step up, but that this was going to require far more hard work to be put in to get up to the required level. They felt that perhaps the work ethic was not quite there to match their ‘desire’. This got me thinking about how often we hear people in sport, as well as in business talking about how hard work eventually pays off. Now don’t get me wrong, not everyone who works hard will be successful, but very few people who don’t work hard ARE successful. Interview after interview, and biography after biography talk about how hard people have worked for their success, yet it seems that not everyone takes that advice and does the same themselves.
My view on hard work is that it gives you two vital attributes. Firstly, it gives you the increased skill, fitness, strength levels that are required in your specific field. Muscle memory improves and bodies become more susceptible to the demands of the game. Secondly, and I believe even more importantly, through increased practice, comes increased confidence. I have spoken before about how confidence stems from past positive results, as well as from preparation (which if perceived well results in feeling of readiness). There is the view that attitude determines how you prepare, and how you prepare then determines how confident you are, which then determines how well you play. Through this increased hard work that is put in, self-perception and inner dialogue becomes better and more positive. This internal dialogue reinforcing how much work you have put in and how much it will help you will begin to result in confidence. This dialogue will often only take place once you have put in those hard yards! I don’t even need to say how much confidence plays a role in performance, as everyone knows that feeling relaxed, free of fear and ready for the task at hand will improve performance.
I look at people like Morne Steyn and Jonny Wilkinson in rugby, they have been known to be the first at practice and the last to leave. Vijay Singh, a top golfer has still managed to stay at the top of his game for a long period of time due to his propensity for hours on the practice range. Tiger Woods too has been known to spend hours in the gym to get an extra edge. Even Ronaldo and Beckham, people whom you may perceive as being super-talented have been known to be some of the hardest workers on their games. They have honed their skills as best possible, but have also built up a resilience and confidence in their own games due to the knowledge that the hours put in will pay off for them when it counts. In rugby, I always say it is important to be the fittest side, but what is more important is that you know that you are the fittest side so when the game gets tight, you have a confidence in your fitness as a result of the hard work you have put in, which could result in the excellent results you desire.
Hard work therefore cannot be shirked as it is plain to see how important it is in both the skills and attributes gained physically, but also in its immense value mentally. The confidence from hard work will also only transpire if the individual is comfortable with the work they have put in and backs that up with positive dialogue. What must exist for this though- is self-motivation to put the work in. But that’s another story for another day!!
My view on hard work is that it gives you two vital attributes. Firstly, it gives you the increased skill, fitness, strength levels that are required in your specific field. Muscle memory improves and bodies become more susceptible to the demands of the game. Secondly, and I believe even more importantly, through increased practice, comes increased confidence. I have spoken before about how confidence stems from past positive results, as well as from preparation (which if perceived well results in feeling of readiness). There is the view that attitude determines how you prepare, and how you prepare then determines how confident you are, which then determines how well you play. Through this increased hard work that is put in, self-perception and inner dialogue becomes better and more positive. This internal dialogue reinforcing how much work you have put in and how much it will help you will begin to result in confidence. This dialogue will often only take place once you have put in those hard yards! I don’t even need to say how much confidence plays a role in performance, as everyone knows that feeling relaxed, free of fear and ready for the task at hand will improve performance.
I look at people like Morne Steyn and Jonny Wilkinson in rugby, they have been known to be the first at practice and the last to leave. Vijay Singh, a top golfer has still managed to stay at the top of his game for a long period of time due to his propensity for hours on the practice range. Tiger Woods too has been known to spend hours in the gym to get an extra edge. Even Ronaldo and Beckham, people whom you may perceive as being super-talented have been known to be some of the hardest workers on their games. They have honed their skills as best possible, but have also built up a resilience and confidence in their own games due to the knowledge that the hours put in will pay off for them when it counts. In rugby, I always say it is important to be the fittest side, but what is more important is that you know that you are the fittest side so when the game gets tight, you have a confidence in your fitness as a result of the hard work you have put in, which could result in the excellent results you desire.
Hard work therefore cannot be shirked as it is plain to see how important it is in both the skills and attributes gained physically, but also in its immense value mentally. The confidence from hard work will also only transpire if the individual is comfortable with the work they have put in and backs that up with positive dialogue. What must exist for this though- is self-motivation to put the work in. But that’s another story for another day!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Creating your best self as an athlete.
It is easier than you think.
When you invoke the creative powers of visualization, you are using your imagination to make-over yourself, literally.
With the seed of your imagination, you can transform any element of your performance - your skills,your Game Face, even your confidence.
As the saying goes, "Little hinges swing big doors." Of course, creating your best self does not mean manufacturing something fake.
It means finding your authentic athletic self and allowing it to be expressed.
A classic example is how you handle your biggest competitors.
A lot of aspiring athletes think they need to trash talk and get into the heads of their competitors to win.
But this rarely brings out their best self. Instead I like the technique used by U.S.
Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton (recently seen on TV show The Apprentice).
In figure skating it's common for skaters to get aggressive during practices.
They'll get into their competitors' way on the ice or even jump right next to them.
Scott didn't do those things. He knew they wouldn't bring out his best, most authentic self.
Instead he used a subtler approach. He never wanted any competitor to see him miss a
jump. If he was warming up or doing a run-through, it had to be perfect.
This put terrible pressure on his opponents, making them think they HAD to skate perfectly
all the time or lose to Scott.
At the same time, it forced Scott to BRING IT whenever he was in a competing environment.
You've probably already guessed that visualization is the best way to find your genuine athletic self. In Scott's case, he found the flawlees self he wanted to project and made it his mission to do it.
By harnessing the power of visualization, you can do the same. It doesn't matter if you're young or old, or what level you're competing at.
When you invoke the creative powers of visualization, you are using your imagination to make-over yourself, literally.
With the seed of your imagination, you can transform any element of your performance - your skills,your Game Face, even your confidence.
As the saying goes, "Little hinges swing big doors." Of course, creating your best self does not mean manufacturing something fake.
It means finding your authentic athletic self and allowing it to be expressed.
A classic example is how you handle your biggest competitors.
A lot of aspiring athletes think they need to trash talk and get into the heads of their competitors to win.
But this rarely brings out their best self. Instead I like the technique used by U.S.
Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton (recently seen on TV show The Apprentice).
In figure skating it's common for skaters to get aggressive during practices.
They'll get into their competitors' way on the ice or even jump right next to them.
Scott didn't do those things. He knew they wouldn't bring out his best, most authentic self.
Instead he used a subtler approach. He never wanted any competitor to see him miss a
jump. If he was warming up or doing a run-through, it had to be perfect.
This put terrible pressure on his opponents, making them think they HAD to skate perfectly
all the time or lose to Scott.
At the same time, it forced Scott to BRING IT whenever he was in a competing environment.
You've probably already guessed that visualization is the best way to find your genuine athletic self. In Scott's case, he found the flawlees self he wanted to project and made it his mission to do it.
By harnessing the power of visualization, you can do the same. It doesn't matter if you're young or old, or what level you're competing at.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Carpe Diem Classics
Motivational Music Mix
The Bottom Line When life gets the better of you, you cannot give up. I suggest you do what I do -- listen to kickass music.
Have you ever been punched in the face with life's clenched fist? Have you ever doubted yourself? Have you ever had others view you as inconsequential?
Of course you have. After all, you are a member of the human race. You wouldn't ever be able to attain genuine happiness unless you have overcome obstacles or tragedies of some sort. Some people say "that which doesn't kill you only makes you wish that it had." I say "poppycock."
If you persevere in the face of adversity, then you become stronger, pure and simple. It has been my experience that adversity looms around every corner. Hell, sometimes it chases you like a shadow.
What do you do when this happens? You keep going. What if you find it harder and harder to do so? You still keep going. What if you have trouble finding motivation? Then, you listen to these songs (or perhaps others that tickle your particular fancy) and you find inspiration.
Track One: I'm Winning by Santana
You cannot win in life until you have lost first. Everybody loses at some point. The trick is to use defeats or failures to your advantage. Learn from them. This song embodies a spirit that victory is always within grasp, and I find it nearly impossible not to be emotionally stirred by it.
Sample Lyrics
I had a dream but it turned to dust,
What I thought was love that must have been lust,
I was living in style when the walls fell in,
When I played my hand I looked like a joker,
Turn around, Fate must have woke her
'Cause Lady Luck she was waiting outside the door.
I'm winning, I'm winning,
I'm winning and I don't intend on losing again.
Track Two: All-Star by Smashmouth
This undeniably catchy song has been featured in many films as a sort of anthem for losers (i.e. Mystery Men, Shrek) and that's no accident. The song has a positive confidence-affirming aspect to it that suggests that everybody is an all-star of some sort.
Sample Lyrics
So much to do, so much to see,
So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
You'll never know if you don't go,
You'll never shine if you don't glow.
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play,
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid.
And all that glitters is gold.
Only shooting stars break the mold.
Track Three: End of the Line by Traveling Wilburys
What do you get when you combine Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison and Tom Petty? A great rock band capable of pop-flavored gems that make you feel good. I love this song because it lets you know things are all right, even when it seems that they are not.
Sample Lyrics
Well, it's all right, even if they say you're wrong,
Well, it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong.
Well, it's all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay,
Well, it's all right, every day is just one day.
Track Four: Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead
Along the same lines as track three, this song harbors the theme that even the good things in life are accompanied by bad things...but that's OK because "I will get by. I will survive." This is a great message that should be recalled from time to time, which is easy to do considering that this song is an unforgettable head-bopping, toe-tapping groove.
Sample Lyrics
I see you got your fist out,
Say your peace and get out.
I guess I get the gist of it, but it's all right.
Sorry that you feel that way,
The only thing there is to say
Is every silver lining's got a touch of grey.
I will get by. I will get by. I will get by.
I will survive.
Track Five: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by The Beatles
This is probably the ultimate feel-good song in rock-n-roll, and I know several people who dislike The Beatles, yet somehow love this song. Why? Because it is impossible not to smile when you sing along. Yes, it is easy to believe life goes on as you hum the chorus over and over.
Sample Lyrics
Ob-la-di ob-la-da, life goes on,
Bra-la-la, how the life goes on.
Ob-la-di ob-la-da, life goes on,
Bra-la-la, how the life goes on.
Track Six: I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty
Maybe it's just me, but I find it cool that somebody like Tom Petty, who doesn't have a good singing voice, can inspire so many with his songs. The funny thing is, Tom Petty isn't a deep lyricist. He projects simple messages with simple words...and it works perfectly. This spirit of this song is very inspiring, and sometimes, that is all you need, even when you feel like the whole world is against you.
Sample Lyrics
Well, I won't back down,
No I won't back down,
You can stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won't back down.
Gonna stand my ground,
Won't be turned around,
And I'll keep this world from dragging me down.
Track Seven: We Are The Champions by Queen
This is an obvious choice, certainly, but I cannot imagine making an inspirational mix tape without this inclusion. This is the quintessential fight-back-against-all-odds song that has inspired sports teams all over the country. This song has always made me feel as though I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
Sample Lyrics
I've paid my dues time after time,
I've done my sentence, but committed no crime,
And bad mistakes -- I've made a few,
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through.
We are the champions, my friend,
And we'll keep on fighting to the end.
Track Eight: Jump by Van Halen
I suppose if you are feeling like a failure, then the last thing you should listen to is somebody screaming "jump." However, this song is as anti-suicidal as they come. Like the tracks from Tom Petty and Queen, this song inhabits the "never give up, never surrender" attitude that we all have needed at one time or another.
Sample Lyrics
I get up
And nothing gets me down,
You got it tough,
I've seen the toughest around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel,
You've got to roll with the punches
To get to what's real.
Track Nine: Fly By Night by Rush
Ah, there is nothing like a little power rock from Rush to brighten up your mood. There are so many great Rush songs that have motivated me over the years, but I think this song works the best because of one line: "My life begins today." I like the idea that life is always beginning for each of us because we are constantly changing. When things are at their worst, then you need only to remember that time heals all wounds. Sure, it also wounds all heals, but it will also heal those formerly-healed wounds once again.
Sample Lyrics
Start a new chapter, I find what I'm after
Is changing every day.
The change of a season's enough of a reason
To want to get away.
Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive,
The hours drift away.
Leaving my homeland, playing a lone hand
My life begins today.
Track Ten: Last Chance by Shooting Star
I saved my favorite song for last. Of course, it is also the most obscure tune in the list. Shooting Star rocked airwaves in the 1980s with this electrically-charged song, full of rip-roaring guitar, piano and drum solos, and also ripe with a great philosophy: You need to seize the day before it is too late. After all, today may be your last chance to live. The best line in the song underlines the notion that we cannot afford to feel sorry for ourselves: "The enemy is in your heart, self-respect robbed by self-pity." Amen.
Sample Lyrics
Stand up on your feet
'Cause your life is as short as Hell.
You could be dead tomorrow...
Today may be your last chance to believe in yourself,
Your last chance to yell,
Your last chance to be good to yourself,
Your last chance to drink from life's well.
Secret Track: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
OK. Since this is my mix tape, I am throwing in a secret eleventh track. If you need to find the will to survive and keep going, then who better to listen to than a group that called itself "Survivor"? I was very young and impressionable when this theme song for Rocky III hit theaters, and this song burned itself into my memory. I still get chills when I hear it, believing that I, too, can defeat Clubber Lang (a.k.a. Mr. T.).
Sample Lyrics
Rising up back on the street,
Did my time, took my chances.
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet,
Just a man and his will to survive.
So many times it happens too fast,
You trade your passion for glory.
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past,
You must fight just to keep them alive.
End Thoughts
Now, I realize that good music doesn't solve problems, but it can help you get in the right frame of mind that is necessary to face them. We all get frustrated and end up off course at some point. When that happens, we have music (specifically, some of the songs that I listed here) to remind us that everybody struggles.
Certain songs remind us that we are never alone and that is sometimes enough to give us strength to keep going until the next day...which keeps us going to the next day...and the next...and the next.
The Bottom Line When life gets the better of you, you cannot give up. I suggest you do what I do -- listen to kickass music.
Have you ever been punched in the face with life's clenched fist? Have you ever doubted yourself? Have you ever had others view you as inconsequential?
Of course you have. After all, you are a member of the human race. You wouldn't ever be able to attain genuine happiness unless you have overcome obstacles or tragedies of some sort. Some people say "that which doesn't kill you only makes you wish that it had." I say "poppycock."
If you persevere in the face of adversity, then you become stronger, pure and simple. It has been my experience that adversity looms around every corner. Hell, sometimes it chases you like a shadow.
What do you do when this happens? You keep going. What if you find it harder and harder to do so? You still keep going. What if you have trouble finding motivation? Then, you listen to these songs (or perhaps others that tickle your particular fancy) and you find inspiration.
Track One: I'm Winning by Santana
You cannot win in life until you have lost first. Everybody loses at some point. The trick is to use defeats or failures to your advantage. Learn from them. This song embodies a spirit that victory is always within grasp, and I find it nearly impossible not to be emotionally stirred by it.
Sample Lyrics
I had a dream but it turned to dust,
What I thought was love that must have been lust,
I was living in style when the walls fell in,
When I played my hand I looked like a joker,
Turn around, Fate must have woke her
'Cause Lady Luck she was waiting outside the door.
I'm winning, I'm winning,
I'm winning and I don't intend on losing again.
Track Two: All-Star by Smashmouth
This undeniably catchy song has been featured in many films as a sort of anthem for losers (i.e. Mystery Men, Shrek) and that's no accident. The song has a positive confidence-affirming aspect to it that suggests that everybody is an all-star of some sort.
Sample Lyrics
So much to do, so much to see,
So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
You'll never know if you don't go,
You'll never shine if you don't glow.
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play,
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid.
And all that glitters is gold.
Only shooting stars break the mold.
Track Three: End of the Line by Traveling Wilburys
What do you get when you combine Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison and Tom Petty? A great rock band capable of pop-flavored gems that make you feel good. I love this song because it lets you know things are all right, even when it seems that they are not.
Sample Lyrics
Well, it's all right, even if they say you're wrong,
Well, it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong.
Well, it's all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay,
Well, it's all right, every day is just one day.
Track Four: Touch of Grey by The Grateful Dead
Along the same lines as track three, this song harbors the theme that even the good things in life are accompanied by bad things...but that's OK because "I will get by. I will survive." This is a great message that should be recalled from time to time, which is easy to do considering that this song is an unforgettable head-bopping, toe-tapping groove.
Sample Lyrics
I see you got your fist out,
Say your peace and get out.
I guess I get the gist of it, but it's all right.
Sorry that you feel that way,
The only thing there is to say
Is every silver lining's got a touch of grey.
I will get by. I will get by. I will get by.
I will survive.
Track Five: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by The Beatles
This is probably the ultimate feel-good song in rock-n-roll, and I know several people who dislike The Beatles, yet somehow love this song. Why? Because it is impossible not to smile when you sing along. Yes, it is easy to believe life goes on as you hum the chorus over and over.
Sample Lyrics
Ob-la-di ob-la-da, life goes on,
Bra-la-la, how the life goes on.
Ob-la-di ob-la-da, life goes on,
Bra-la-la, how the life goes on.
Track Six: I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty
Maybe it's just me, but I find it cool that somebody like Tom Petty, who doesn't have a good singing voice, can inspire so many with his songs. The funny thing is, Tom Petty isn't a deep lyricist. He projects simple messages with simple words...and it works perfectly. This spirit of this song is very inspiring, and sometimes, that is all you need, even when you feel like the whole world is against you.
Sample Lyrics
Well, I won't back down,
No I won't back down,
You can stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won't back down.
Gonna stand my ground,
Won't be turned around,
And I'll keep this world from dragging me down.
Track Seven: We Are The Champions by Queen
This is an obvious choice, certainly, but I cannot imagine making an inspirational mix tape without this inclusion. This is the quintessential fight-back-against-all-odds song that has inspired sports teams all over the country. This song has always made me feel as though I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
Sample Lyrics
I've paid my dues time after time,
I've done my sentence, but committed no crime,
And bad mistakes -- I've made a few,
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through.
We are the champions, my friend,
And we'll keep on fighting to the end.
Track Eight: Jump by Van Halen
I suppose if you are feeling like a failure, then the last thing you should listen to is somebody screaming "jump." However, this song is as anti-suicidal as they come. Like the tracks from Tom Petty and Queen, this song inhabits the "never give up, never surrender" attitude that we all have needed at one time or another.
Sample Lyrics
I get up
And nothing gets me down,
You got it tough,
I've seen the toughest around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel,
You've got to roll with the punches
To get to what's real.
Track Nine: Fly By Night by Rush
Ah, there is nothing like a little power rock from Rush to brighten up your mood. There are so many great Rush songs that have motivated me over the years, but I think this song works the best because of one line: "My life begins today." I like the idea that life is always beginning for each of us because we are constantly changing. When things are at their worst, then you need only to remember that time heals all wounds. Sure, it also wounds all heals, but it will also heal those formerly-healed wounds once again.
Sample Lyrics
Start a new chapter, I find what I'm after
Is changing every day.
The change of a season's enough of a reason
To want to get away.
Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive,
The hours drift away.
Leaving my homeland, playing a lone hand
My life begins today.
Track Ten: Last Chance by Shooting Star
I saved my favorite song for last. Of course, it is also the most obscure tune in the list. Shooting Star rocked airwaves in the 1980s with this electrically-charged song, full of rip-roaring guitar, piano and drum solos, and also ripe with a great philosophy: You need to seize the day before it is too late. After all, today may be your last chance to live. The best line in the song underlines the notion that we cannot afford to feel sorry for ourselves: "The enemy is in your heart, self-respect robbed by self-pity." Amen.
Sample Lyrics
Stand up on your feet
'Cause your life is as short as Hell.
You could be dead tomorrow...
Today may be your last chance to believe in yourself,
Your last chance to yell,
Your last chance to be good to yourself,
Your last chance to drink from life's well.
Secret Track: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
OK. Since this is my mix tape, I am throwing in a secret eleventh track. If you need to find the will to survive and keep going, then who better to listen to than a group that called itself "Survivor"? I was very young and impressionable when this theme song for Rocky III hit theaters, and this song burned itself into my memory. I still get chills when I hear it, believing that I, too, can defeat Clubber Lang (a.k.a. Mr. T.).
Sample Lyrics
Rising up back on the street,
Did my time, took my chances.
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet,
Just a man and his will to survive.
So many times it happens too fast,
You trade your passion for glory.
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past,
You must fight just to keep them alive.
End Thoughts
Now, I realize that good music doesn't solve problems, but it can help you get in the right frame of mind that is necessary to face them. We all get frustrated and end up off course at some point. When that happens, we have music (specifically, some of the songs that I listed here) to remind us that everybody struggles.
Certain songs remind us that we are never alone and that is sometimes enough to give us strength to keep going until the next day...which keeps us going to the next day...and the next...and the next.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Many athletes fail because they are big babies
Before you accuse me of being harsh, let me explain.
Most athletes have a program in their minds about what's supposed to happen
in a competition -- and when things don't go their way, they get very
upset.
They are so busy feeling sorry for themselves, they lose their concentration.
I learned this from a surprising source: a very rich professional gambler.
I'm talking about the kind of guy who needs mental toughness because he lives in Clairemont and routinely bets R60,000 a hand in blackjack.
The Gambler says:
"I am often surprised at how easily people get upset. They get upset if they don't hit the jackpot.
When they hit a secondary jackpot, they get upset that they didn't hit the top jackpot. And when they hit the top jackpot, unless it's something in the millions, they get upset about why they didn't hit it sooner."
According to The Gambler, successful gamblers make their money by out-waiting the casino. If they lose a spin in roulette, they double their bet.
If they lose a second time, they increase their bet. If they lose a third time, they bet even more.
They know that statistically, it's impossible to lose every spin. Eventually, their numbers are going to hit.
So they wait...and beat the odds.
Gamblers who posses this level of patience are the best of the best.*
Patience Leads To Concentration Champions are a lot like great gamblers.
They use the mental toughness weapon of PATIENCE. They use it to create
superior concentration, even when the competition is falling apart around them.
They don't expect to win every point or smoke their opponent by a mile. They don't pity themselves when they make a mistake...they don't worry about not getting to a shot....and they don't constantly obsess over fluctuations in their game.
Most athletes have a program in their minds about what's supposed to happen
in a competition -- and when things don't go their way, they get very
upset.
They are so busy feeling sorry for themselves, they lose their concentration.
I learned this from a surprising source: a very rich professional gambler.
I'm talking about the kind of guy who needs mental toughness because he lives in Clairemont and routinely bets R60,000 a hand in blackjack.
The Gambler says:
"I am often surprised at how easily people get upset. They get upset if they don't hit the jackpot.
When they hit a secondary jackpot, they get upset that they didn't hit the top jackpot. And when they hit the top jackpot, unless it's something in the millions, they get upset about why they didn't hit it sooner."
According to The Gambler, successful gamblers make their money by out-waiting the casino. If they lose a spin in roulette, they double their bet.
If they lose a second time, they increase their bet. If they lose a third time, they bet even more.
They know that statistically, it's impossible to lose every spin. Eventually, their numbers are going to hit.
So they wait...and beat the odds.
Gamblers who posses this level of patience are the best of the best.*
Patience Leads To Concentration Champions are a lot like great gamblers.
They use the mental toughness weapon of PATIENCE. They use it to create
superior concentration, even when the competition is falling apart around them.
They don't expect to win every point or smoke their opponent by a mile. They don't pity themselves when they make a mistake...they don't worry about not getting to a shot....and they don't constantly obsess over fluctuations in their game.
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