We made it to Friday of what I always think of as the first real week of school as it is the first full week in September. So back from hiatus is Five Reads for Friday. I hope you take a moment to read these.
It is totally a cliche, but the only thing we truly have control over is our attitude every day. Here is some interesting research on Can Do Attitudes. The Bulletproof Musician is also one of my favorite blogs on performance.
The Performance Benefits of A Can Do Attitude -- The Bulletproof Musician
I don't like getting criticized but it actually happens a lot. That's why I like this post. If you want your work to matter, its going to get criticized. Our job is to figure out the critical gems that really matter and forget about the rest as just noise.
The Paradox of the Flawless Record -- Seth Godin
Heat was the theme this week. We had to cancel a Volleyball match. We ran a cross country meet on the hottest day I remember. I got a number of emails about how we could make the gym cooler. I am all for that. Air Conditioning has certainly made a big difference in all of our lives. But my first months of life were June, July and August spent in a house without air conditioning in Washington DC. I dare anyone to tell me this week was hotter than my first 3 months of life. One of our issues appears to be that we are now so comfortable because just about every where we go is air conditioned that we struggle much more with heat. I'm not arguing for less air conditioning but it is interesting to consider.
Too Much Air Conditioning is Warping Your Mind -- NY Mag
The first great Kenyan runner to go to college in this country was Henry Rono. In 1978, Rono ran world records in the 3000m, the 5000m, the 10000m and the 3K steeplechase over an 81 day stretch. No runner has ever been so dominant over that spread of events again. Rono, though, had lots of struggles. His running career was compromised by not being able to compete in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics due to boycotts. By 1981 he began a long struggle with alcholism. I ran against Rono in a 10k in Baltimore in 1988 and finished just behind him. He was far from the same person he had been 10 years earlier. Here is a recent interview with Rono who now lives in Albuquerque New Mexico and continues to contribute to the running community.
Henry Rono Interview -- Gary Cohen Running
I actually despise this idea advocated in the next article -- that sports is all about finding the right coach and waiting. However, I have to admit there is a lot of truth to it. But is everything we do as coaches about winning national titles? I think if you look at anything in sports that really matters and lasts the tests of time it takes a lot longer than 3 years. My prime example is it took the great John Wooden 15 years at UCLA alone -- 31 years of coaching overall -- to win his first national championship as a coach. So I always say buyer beware on these quick turnarounds -- watch Last Chance U on Netflix to see a quick turnaround that might make your skin crawl. Yes it can be done in 3 years. What I like about this article is the issue of changing team culture. I do think it takes about 3 years to make a significant difference in team or work place culture. To me that is as important a lesson as winning titles.
Want A National Title? Hire a Coach...Wait Three Years -- NYT
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