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
Thursday, December 20, 2012
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.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Preview: The Program
In the next week I will be taking some time to reflect on a great experience I recently had observing an elite military-based team building and leadership regiment known simply as "The Program". Over a two-day intensive course, a team of college hockey players were put through a series of brutally intense and structured exercises geared towards building not just team cohesion, but "I've got your back on the field of battle no matter what gets in our way" team cohesion. In terms of leadership, The Program isn't teaching how to express your emotions effectively so that you teammates can relate to you better, it is teaching how to give and receive orders in an efficient manner that does not compromise the mission regardless of physical exertion or bodily stress. It was some powerful stuff to watch.
The personnel brought in were highly decorated military elite special forces officers who have a resume of training, deployments and experiences that make your jaw drop as you try to comprehend the situations they have faced in battle. As an independent observer of sport psychology, I was able to learn a lot about how this group uses the tried and true methods of the military to teach important lessons to elite teams. I look forward to sharing this experience on this blog in the coming week. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here is the website from "The Program" and it offers a video/ taste of what these teams go through.
The Program
The personnel brought in were highly decorated military elite special forces officers who have a resume of training, deployments and experiences that make your jaw drop as you try to comprehend the situations they have faced in battle. As an independent observer of sport psychology, I was able to learn a lot about how this group uses the tried and true methods of the military to teach important lessons to elite teams. I look forward to sharing this experience on this blog in the coming week. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here is the website from "The Program" and it offers a video/ taste of what these teams go through.
The Program
Monday, September 10, 2012
"The Idea"
It has been argued that the Idea is the most powerful force known to mankind. That is a powerful statement but it holds a lot of truth when the concept is examined further. A simple idea has the power to inspire millions and change the shape of the world through cultural evolution and change. The Idea is responsible for every political revolution that has ever taken place, as well as every intellectual achievement. Ideas have the ability to spread from one mind to another and implant themselves in a new host, bringing on an incredible amount of perceptual change. Very little is scientifically known about Ideas, but the concept alone is absolutely fascinating. Where do ideas come from? How do we come up with "good ideas?" As humans, we constantly strive for creative, innovative, and "game-changing" Ideas that will bring us distinction through their influence. The entire purpose of the creative process is to foster an environment for the best ideas to manifest themselves in our minds where they can be expressed in a glorious release through a variety of mediums. Ideas can be expressed through any variety of communicative strategy and accomplish its mission of implanting itself within a new host. To describe it like that makes it sound like a virus, and in a way it is.
In order to condense this post and not ramble about the profound philosophical and psychological principles (lot of "p's" right there) of the Idea, I will get to the point... We are all looking for that one Idea that is going to inspire and change the course of our life. The most important thing to do is to be receptive for each new idea when they are ready to reveal themselves. Think of the Idea as a physical entity of elusive nature. While it wants to be expressed through your creative work, it long lingers just out of conscious reach. Keep an open mind, (and always have a notebook near by) so that when the idea is good and ready it can be received with open arms. Here is a great new commercial on TV for Dodge that describes this creative process perfectly. As Jack London says, "you can't wait for inspiration. Sometimes you have to go after it with a club." By fighting through the bad Ideas, you are clearing the path and preparing yourself for the one idea that is going to count the most. The search for the Great Idea is a defining journey of the human experience. It often takes time, dedication, and commitment to knowing a breakthrough is right around the corner. Once you get the idea, then the real work begins because it is your responsibility to nurture the Idea and bring it into fruition... a process that can define a person's life-work. In conclusion, have another cup of coffee, and enjoy your search for the Idea that will change the world. It's out there.
Dodge Dart - "The Idea" (commercial)
In order to condense this post and not ramble about the profound philosophical and psychological principles (lot of "p's" right there) of the Idea, I will get to the point... We are all looking for that one Idea that is going to inspire and change the course of our life. The most important thing to do is to be receptive for each new idea when they are ready to reveal themselves. Think of the Idea as a physical entity of elusive nature. While it wants to be expressed through your creative work, it long lingers just out of conscious reach. Keep an open mind, (and always have a notebook near by) so that when the idea is good and ready it can be received with open arms. Here is a great new commercial on TV for Dodge that describes this creative process perfectly. As Jack London says, "you can't wait for inspiration. Sometimes you have to go after it with a club." By fighting through the bad Ideas, you are clearing the path and preparing yourself for the one idea that is going to count the most. The search for the Great Idea is a defining journey of the human experience. It often takes time, dedication, and commitment to knowing a breakthrough is right around the corner. Once you get the idea, then the real work begins because it is your responsibility to nurture the Idea and bring it into fruition... a process that can define a person's life-work. In conclusion, have another cup of coffee, and enjoy your search for the Idea that will change the world. It's out there.
Dodge Dart - "The Idea" (commercial)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Passionate Person Profile of the Day: #1
Today marks the first post of many to come in The Sporting Mind: Sport Psychology Solution's very own blog space. This blog will be used to highlight interesting, amazing, inspiring, and fascinating information about the world (first and foremost) and also the world of sport psychology. The purpose of the blog is to be a resource for athletes, parents, and others interested in this wonderful field. The Sporting Mind offers a much different brand of sport psychology than others out there and hopefully that is reflected by the creative posts that can be found here. This blog will celebrate the innovative, the passionate, the remarkable and the resilient people out there from all walks of life. You don't have to be a super star athlete to accomplish great things or to inspire the world. The internet is an amazing tool that literally allows anyone to be the next "feel good" story for the world to cheer for. There are millions of examples of inspiration out there and this blog hopes to pull but a few out and apply them to the work being done through the Sporting Mind. Any and all feedback is welcome, enjoy!
"A Man's Work Defines Him"
It is fitting to begin this blog during the twilight hours after watching an extremely inspiring video from www.wimp.com (video attached). "Adam's Rib" highlights a canoe builder, presumably from Canada, who is the definition of a passionate individual. Thanks to brilliant cinematography, this bio captures a young man consumed in his task of building custom water crafts for summer camps. The company he owns and operates is called Gull Lakes Boat Works, and it is truly the work that defines him. I encourage any one reading this to watch the short video and get a glimpse of beautiful craftsmanship, as well as what it means when they say "put your blood, sweat and tears into it." His work is solitary, it is incredibly time consuming, and it requires every ounce of his attention and focus. The defining moments of this video (aside from the beautiful background harmonica) are when this builder becomes introspective, trying to understand himself why he spends hours sculpting boats from scratch. "This is the mark that I was here. That I existed." It is almost haunting to hear him say this. Each craft that leaves that small workshop is a piece of him. As long as that canoe finds a home on a small wooded lake in the quiet spaces of Canada (or wherever his boats are needed), his legacy lives on. Not because Gull Lake's name is printed on the inside, or because the money earned provided him longevity... the canoe is a manifestation of a man's passion in the physical form... and that is beautiful. I challenge any one reading this to think about what their legacy is, and best of luck on your journey. What sign will you leave that you existed?
How One Man's Work Defines Him: "Adam's Rib"
"A Man's Work Defines Him"
It is fitting to begin this blog during the twilight hours after watching an extremely inspiring video from www.wimp.com (video attached). "Adam's Rib" highlights a canoe builder, presumably from Canada, who is the definition of a passionate individual. Thanks to brilliant cinematography, this bio captures a young man consumed in his task of building custom water crafts for summer camps. The company he owns and operates is called Gull Lakes Boat Works, and it is truly the work that defines him. I encourage any one reading this to watch the short video and get a glimpse of beautiful craftsmanship, as well as what it means when they say "put your blood, sweat and tears into it." His work is solitary, it is incredibly time consuming, and it requires every ounce of his attention and focus. The defining moments of this video (aside from the beautiful background harmonica) are when this builder becomes introspective, trying to understand himself why he spends hours sculpting boats from scratch. "This is the mark that I was here. That I existed." It is almost haunting to hear him say this. Each craft that leaves that small workshop is a piece of him. As long as that canoe finds a home on a small wooded lake in the quiet spaces of Canada (or wherever his boats are needed), his legacy lives on. Not because Gull Lake's name is printed on the inside, or because the money earned provided him longevity... the canoe is a manifestation of a man's passion in the physical form... and that is beautiful. I challenge any one reading this to think about what their legacy is, and best of luck on your journey. What sign will you leave that you existed?
How One Man's Work Defines Him: "Adam's Rib"
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