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Grit, Positive Attitude & Marginal Gains Grit and a positive attitude are crucial factors in achieving excellence in basketball. Grit means overcoming limitations and setbacks, persisting despite adversity, and constantly striving to improve by 1% each day through collecting marginal gains. It means refusing to give up and gathering extra effort when feeling drained. Double-loop Learning Double-loop learning is a crucial principle that goes hand in hand with grit. It focuses on reflecting on both external and internal factors to fully comprehend how to achieve goals. This reflective…

Lack of Stable & Affordable Housing The lack of stable and affordable housing in urban centres of Canada can lead to several related issues that contribute to substance abuse. Economic stress resulting from housing instability can make individuals more susceptible to turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. Hopelessness & Despair Moreover, the inability to afford housing can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, further worsening substance abuse problems. Homelessness, which often stems from the lack of affordable housing, presents challenges such as trauma,…

When a volunteer high school basketball coach plays politics... The coach has his negative biases, discriminations, and personal agendas. Such coaches showcasing favouritism over factors like merit, skill development, and fair competition breed whole team negativity and lack of trust in the coaches and in the basketball program. The best and most skilled players feel: sidelined undervalued unfairly treated Negatively affect morale Reduce or destroy motivation When a player is an elite hard-worker and excels in certain areas, they are considered the elite player on the team. Here are…

Teams Achieve Better Outcomes Teams are a big deal in organizations for many reasons. They bring us together with different skills, knowledge, and expertise, which makes problem-solving and decision-making much more effective. When we support each other's strengths and compensate for weaknesses, we can achieve better outcomes than doing it alone. More Productive Plus, teams are more productive because they assign us tasks based on our strengths. This way, the work is completed faster and with better quality. Working with others also encourages creativity and innovation, which is useful…

Educators' Resistance A number of significant challenges need to be addressed in research and development within the field of education. Allocating funds for studies, equipment, and personnel often diverts resources from other crucial educational areas, posing a financial challenge. However, advancements in teaching and learning hold immense potential to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices despite educators' resistance to embracing new methodologies or technologies developed through R&D. Socioeconomic Status & Demographics Problems related to student privacy, informed…

Thucydides's trap is a geopolitical theory based on an inevitable conflict due to competition and power dominance. Who? Which countries? USA & alliances/allies China & alliances/allies Why would this occur? Power Shifts Competition for Resources Security Dilemma such as arms race Nationalism and Identity historical grievances Ideological Differences liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes influence/values Historical Precedents maybe a self-fulfilling prophecy Where would this take place? Taiwan - territory of China or an independent nation Asia-Pacific Region such as…

I was reflecting on some of Peter Drucker's books. It is crucial to recognize and understand organizational politics within structures. Organizations and businesses are made up of individuals with objectives and spheres of influence. Your success largely relies on identifying and engaging with key decision-makers, understanding their goals, and finding ways to align them with yours. Effectively impacting organizational settings is a skill that can be learned. It involves strategies such as actively seeking input, framing ideas constructively, leveraging social dynamics, and carefully…

Such an outstanding read. 12 really well-thought-out points or rules in life that we all live through. These 12 rules are: Be confident in yourself. Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. Make friends with people who want the best for you. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. Take ownership in parenting your children; invest in them. Be honest and self-critical before you criticize the world. Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient). Tell the truth – or, at least, don't lie. Assume that the person you are listening to might know…

Over the next 365 days, I've dedicated 20 minutes daily to riding the Airdyne bike, often called "The Misery Bike" by some.  High-intensity Interval Trainer What sets this machine apart is its fluid motion and steady, fan-based resistance, making it a low-impact cardio workout. As a total body machine, Airdyne bikes are challenging, intense, and painful, and they build willpower. Rather than viewing it solely as a cardio machine, I perceive Airdyne bikes more as high-intensity interval trainers.  Outperforms Cycling or Treadmill Workouts When it comes to calorie burn, the Airdyne bike…

I just read an outstanding article from The Walrus Magazine, "Are Workplaces Inherently Toxic? Bullying. Harassment. Horrible bosses. How dream jobs turn into nightmares," by Samia Madwar. Here are some critical takes: Harmful Mental & Physical Well-being Toxic workplaces can be incredibly harmful environments where employees face high levels of stress, negativity, and dysfunction, affecting their mental and physical well-being. Poor Communication This toxicity often stems from poor communication between management and staff and among staff, which leads to misunderstandings and…

Over the years in a dedicated sport, the hours add up if a student-athlete continues within the chosen sport: 20-50 hours of training/practicing/game play = ages 7-11 100s of hours of training/practicing/game play = ages 11-14 1000-10,000 hours of training/practicing/game play by ages 14-19 As research shows from the work of psychologist Anders Ericsson and author Malcolm Gladwell, high school student-athlete development of basketball skills, such student-athletes can become elite in their sport if the following is pursued: The cornerstone of student-athlete development lies in…

10,000 hours to master mid-range shooting in basketball, a goal that could potentially bring great rewards, requires a significant investment of time. This is where Malcolm Gladwell's concept, popularized in his book 'Outliers,' comes into play. It suggests that deliberate training, when applied consistently over a long period, can lead to mastery in any field, including basketball. Reinforce Muscle Memory I structure extensive daily training for my boy, Parker, which requires setting clear goals, breaking sessions into focused segments, and maintaining consistent training to reinforce…

This book is a wonderful, insightful read. It made me think about how the education sector, especially high school and college/university, will need to innovate or face many disruptive innovators' dilemmas. Educational Disruptive Innovation High schools and colleges have the potential to revolutionize education through disruptive innovation. By focusing on simplicity, affordability, and accessibility, these institutions can make education more inclusive and reach the underserved or marginalized. This could involve the development of low-cost educational materials, such as open…

Thinking back on many years living in government housing in Abbotsfield, I realize these were tough socioeconomic times. We lived an impoverished existence, just trying to eat and survive. "Living a dream" has the opposite meaning of "Living THE Dream." For some individuals, saying they are "Living THE Dream" typically implies experiencing an unfulfilling or unexciting lifestyle, often involving doing something uninspiring. These individuals are not satisfied or optimistic. Teaching and coaching are about enjoying life to the fullest, feeling contentment and satisfaction, and doing good…

In Canada, more than 30% of the healthcare system is privatized, with provincial and federal governments gradually allowing American healthcare companies to enter the market. However, despite having a universal healthcare system, Canada faces significant challenges. According to a study comparing 30 countries with universal healthcare, Canada ranked poorly in several key areas. It ranked 28th for the number of doctors, 23rd for somatic care beds, and 23rd for psychiatric beds. Additionally, in 2019, Canada ranked 25th for the number of MRI machines and 26th for CT scanners per million…