Here are 3 quotes, the most interesting thing I learned this week, 1 essay, and 1 question to reflect on.

3 Quotes

“A man can achieve much as long as he prepares himself daily… Know that your study will last for as long as you are breathing.” Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure

“I had trained dogs and horses by traditional methods, but dolphins were a different proposition; you cannot use a leash or a bridle or even your fist on an animal that just swims away. Positive reinforcement – primarily a bucket of fish – was the only tool we had.” – Karen Pryor, Don’t Shoot the Dog

“Rule your mind or it will rule you.” – Horace

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned this Week

Not many people are outside running in the hottest part of the day. Not many people are in the hotel gym at 6pm or 6am. As you age, you realize that no one is coming to save you. You must learn to save yourself. Running sprints has been a way to sneak in a quick workout. But inadvertently I have improved my conditioning on my longer runs. The more sprints I do, the faster my overall pace increases on the longer runs.

Back in the day, it’s rumored that the Spartans would hold 400m sprints with their full battle rattle. Armored warriors running as fast as they could, competing or training or simply pushing themselves to the limit. Regardless of the reason, it was good for humans then and it is still good for humans now.

Strong minds

“Our characters are the result of our conduct.” – Aristotle

Aristotle was a student of Plato’s in what some say was the first university in the western world. Plato’s Academy which was founded in 377 BC on the outskirts of Athens. Aristotle would move from student to teacher over a span of 20 years. He never stopped learning. Later he would start his own school known as Lyceum. 

Strong minds never stop training. Strong minds always are challenging themselves with new perspectives. 

While positive reinforcement is a great training aid for animals, students, athletes, and warres. Reinforcements are relative, not absolute. It is a matter of perspective.

Rain can be a positive reinforcement for ducks, but a negative reinforcement to cats. Food is hardly positive reinforcement if you’re full. 

In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz reminds us that he first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. The words you tell yourself matter.

There is power in using positive words in our own mind. Imagine how much better you would perform if you gave yourself grace. Often we are taught to be nice to others. To be kind. But what about ourselves? 

Your opinion is nothing but your point of view. It is not necessarily true. Your opinion comes from your beliefs, your ego, and your dreams.

As humans, we have the same kind of brain, the same kind of bodies. How we train and how we speak to ourselves will determine who we become.

The mind and body are not separate pursuits but one in the same. To be great at your job you must take care of your mind and your body. To be strong, agile, and quick, you must take care of your job to have the space to train your mind and body. 

Positive reinforcement through daily habits and practices will determine who you become. 

1 Question to Reflect on

What conduct are you practice daily to have a strong mind in a strong body?

The Real Con 97