Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
OH HOW FAR WE'VE COME
Take a moment to look back at how far the sports we love have come. While today they look so different, I like to think about how much they've stayed the same...
Gives "warmups" a whole new meaning
The thrill of a buzzer-beater
The STEEL is real
Performing under pressure even without a Nike deal
Friday, February 1, 2013
READY TO PLAY
Here are some athletes getting ready to perform at the highest level. Every player has a different "temperature" that unlocks their peak performance? Do you know yours?
Ray Lewis - Football
Flames, music, dancing...HIGH ENERGY
This choreographed grass grabbing takes focus from the game... LOW FOCUS
Ryan Miller - Ice Hockey
Quiet reflection on an empty sheet of ice ... LOW ENERGY
Feeling each save he's going to make for the Sabers that night ... HIGH FOCUS
Aaron Rodgers - Football
Calm, relaxed, and a pirate patch? ... LOW ENERGY
Keeping things light before the game with a team tradition photo-bomb ... LOW FOCUS
Bradley Wiggins - Cycling
Like a bullet ready to get shot out of a gun, the engine is hot ... HIGH ENERGY
Zeroed in on the course and the internal war waged during the time trial ... HIGH FOCUS
...
Too much energy Owen, too much!!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Daily Motivation: 12-20-2012
Today's motivation comes from a creative quote from one of history's greatest geniuses and creative minds.
In our present time it is difficult to comprehend the depth of Mozart's musical genius, but it is impossible to ignore. Still regarded as one of, if not the, top composers of all time, Mozart was a master of his trade as a teenager. As a prime example of a prodigy, it begs the question "where does that level of genius come from?" And more importantly, "how can I reach that level?"
A young man wrote to Mzart and said, "Herr Mozart, I am thinking of writing symphonies. Can you give me suggestions as to how to get started?"
Mozart responded, "A symphony is a very complex musical form, perhaps you should begin with some simple lieder (simplistic form of song) and work your way up to a symphony."
"But Herr Mozart, you were writing symphonies when you were 8 years old."
"But I never asked anybody how."
A man can be an artist in anything. Painting, music, food, and even athletics. Unfortunately, society often fools people to think that they can never be a great artist because it doesn't expose the individual to the right opportunity or it tricks them to think that you can't be great unless you are a musician or an athlete. Greatness is too often measured only by dollar signs and potential influence over others. The irony is though, that the halls of greatness are lined with men who did not care for money. They cared only for their craft and the art it allowed them to bring into the world. Mozart was one of these men, who never asked how to be a great musician and simply was. He was fortunate to find his calling early, and the product of that discovery yielded some of music's greatest gifts. All people should be motivated to find their calling because all people are artists. They simply need to find their craft.
"Neither lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to making of geniuses. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius."- Mozart
In our present time it is difficult to comprehend the depth of Mozart's musical genius, but it is impossible to ignore. Still regarded as one of, if not the, top composers of all time, Mozart was a master of his trade as a teenager. As a prime example of a prodigy, it begs the question "where does that level of genius come from?" And more importantly, "how can I reach that level?"
A young man wrote to Mzart and said, "Herr Mozart, I am thinking of writing symphonies. Can you give me suggestions as to how to get started?"
Mozart responded, "A symphony is a very complex musical form, perhaps you should begin with some simple lieder (simplistic form of song) and work your way up to a symphony."
"But Herr Mozart, you were writing symphonies when you were 8 years old."
"But I never asked anybody how."
A man can be an artist in anything. Painting, music, food, and even athletics. Unfortunately, society often fools people to think that they can never be a great artist because it doesn't expose the individual to the right opportunity or it tricks them to think that you can't be great unless you are a musician or an athlete. Greatness is too often measured only by dollar signs and potential influence over others. The irony is though, that the halls of greatness are lined with men who did not care for money. They cared only for their craft and the art it allowed them to bring into the world. Mozart was one of these men, who never asked how to be a great musician and simply was. He was fortunate to find his calling early, and the product of that discovery yielded some of music's greatest gifts. All people should be motivated to find their calling because all people are artists. They simply need to find their craft.
"Neither lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to making of geniuses. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius."- Mozart
Monday, October 1, 2012
"The Program" part I: First Impression
I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to observe a collegiate sports team go through something known simply as "The Program". The Program is a leadership development company that uses military-type exercises to build better leaders and more cohesive teams. Over the course of 2 days (or more, depending on the coach's preference), teams are tested physically but also mentally in order to develop into a cohesive unit with clear direction.
The two instructors sent in to work with this group were very esteemed military servicemen, who's experience on the battlefield is jaw-dropping. One, a long time Navy seal with 6 combat deployments to the most hostile environments on the planet. The other, a member of the British Special Forces and Green Beret. From their resumes alone, these men are tough. Members of the military elite are trained to endure the most stressful, chaotic, and demanding situations imaginable, all the while maintaining precise focus and undaunted concentration at the task at hand. While fortunately few people will ever find themselves making important decisions while being shot at, there are valuable lessons for everyone to be learned from these brave individuals.
Following introductions and a brief lecture to the team (set to go through the rigorous Program), I accompanied the coaches and instructors from the meeting room to the University's pool where the first activity was taking place. The instructors were making small talk about their military backgrounds and also reflecting on there reactions to September 11th which held it's 11th anniversary recently. While walking through the parking lot approaching the pool, one of the instructors did something that defined the entire Program experience for me. Mid-sentence, he diverted his path, walked over to a discarded wrapper sitting underneath a car tire, picked it up, and walked the distance to a not-very-nearby trash can. That was it. That was all that happened. No mention was made of it, and everyone just continued the conversation.
The reason that I've taken the time to write about this seemingly insignificant event is, it exemplifies the level of character these two instructors possess. He didn't ask who had dropped the wrapper, or assume that some one else would pick it up, or dismiss it because it didn't effect his life. He picked it up because it was the right thing to do. To live a life full of decisions made for the benefit of others is a worthy and righteous cause. This selflessness would go on to be a core tenet of The Program, but I am glad I had a chance to see it embodied by some one who truly lives by that principle. The two keys to being a great leader (according to The Program) are to accomplish the mission, and to make every decision with the best interest of the warrior to your left and to your right in mind. If you ever get a chance to spend time with truly great leaders, you will see that leadership is not reserved for competition or adverse situations. Rather, leadership is a principle to live by.
The two instructors sent in to work with this group were very esteemed military servicemen, who's experience on the battlefield is jaw-dropping. One, a long time Navy seal with 6 combat deployments to the most hostile environments on the planet. The other, a member of the British Special Forces and Green Beret. From their resumes alone, these men are tough. Members of the military elite are trained to endure the most stressful, chaotic, and demanding situations imaginable, all the while maintaining precise focus and undaunted concentration at the task at hand. While fortunately few people will ever find themselves making important decisions while being shot at, there are valuable lessons for everyone to be learned from these brave individuals.
Following introductions and a brief lecture to the team (set to go through the rigorous Program), I accompanied the coaches and instructors from the meeting room to the University's pool where the first activity was taking place. The instructors were making small talk about their military backgrounds and also reflecting on there reactions to September 11th which held it's 11th anniversary recently. While walking through the parking lot approaching the pool, one of the instructors did something that defined the entire Program experience for me. Mid-sentence, he diverted his path, walked over to a discarded wrapper sitting underneath a car tire, picked it up, and walked the distance to a not-very-nearby trash can. That was it. That was all that happened. No mention was made of it, and everyone just continued the conversation.
The reason that I've taken the time to write about this seemingly insignificant event is, it exemplifies the level of character these two instructors possess. He didn't ask who had dropped the wrapper, or assume that some one else would pick it up, or dismiss it because it didn't effect his life. He picked it up because it was the right thing to do. To live a life full of decisions made for the benefit of others is a worthy and righteous cause. This selflessness would go on to be a core tenet of The Program, but I am glad I had a chance to see it embodied by some one who truly lives by that principle. The two keys to being a great leader (according to The Program) are to accomplish the mission, and to make every decision with the best interest of the warrior to your left and to your right in mind. If you ever get a chance to spend time with truly great leaders, you will see that leadership is not reserved for competition or adverse situations. Rather, leadership is a principle to live by.
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