Quality is much better than quantity...one home run is much better than two doubles (Steve Jobs)

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Steve Jobs' baseball analogy is very apt. I agree with him.

It's better to get one home run success, than two almost successes. A double, or two-base hit, in baseball is making it to second base, so, in effect - half way, but without any end result.

In the business world, it often appears that it is all about quantity; about making sales, to the exclusion of all else. As many sales as possible. obviously. Sales figures equal rewards in many businesses. More more more.

In education there is a lot of satisfaction around quality: around getting a student their stretch goal; or watching a student have an important learning moment. That might be an 'achieve' grade in a unit standard, or a sporting success, or even an 'oh, I get it' moment.

Yesterday, at our school assembly, a student with a severe genetic disorder read a poem and that moment was a brilliant home run that I will remember for a long time, but it won't figure on any stats.

It is more human to laugh at life than to lament it (Seneca)

While visiting Havelock North and browsing in Wardini's bookstore with my father-in-law on the weekend, I picked up a copy of The Daily Stoic. 

You can read up on the stoics here if you are so inclined.

Yes, I'm a sucker for these daily meditation type books. This one has a quote and a brief commentary for each day of the year.

The Seneca quote I've used above is lifted from a lengthier passage discussing the impulse to either laugh or cry at events.

I'm pretty sure I've explained before how my tendency to laugh or smile at events (and people) can get me into sticky situations. I really can't help it, and most times it defuses the situation. Most times.

I would much rather be that way. It's something I have no control over though - it's just me.

While undergoing that stress with the scanner last week, there wasn't much else to do but see the funny side. The randomness of the fault was a real cosmic joke. 

As my colleague, Lise and I tried in vain to troubleshoot the printer's stubborn refusal to scan documents correctly it eventually became apparent that we had to smile and walk away. Or cry.

Crying wasn't an option!

If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything (Gordon A. Eadie)

I revisited a post this week which looked at ten must-know career skills.

These were the ten skills/things: 

1. Constantly adapt to technology
2. Embrace diversity
3. Be a life-long learner
4. Practice impeccable integrity
5. Be a self-starter
6. Demonstrate personal discipline
7. Prioritise and evaluate daily
8. Be adaptable
9. Think creatively and innovatively
10. Have the 'can-do' attitude.

Number 4 is my favourite thing - integrity. 

I also love that it uses impeccable as an adjective (impeccable: in accordance with the highest standards of propriety; faultless)

Once you lose that, it's a slippery slope going downhill fast.

Aspire to serve, you will serve enthusiastically (Hsing Yun)

 

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

A few crucial reminders came this week via Hsing Yun's 366 Days of Wisdom.

The aspire to serve one above, plus:

Aspire to walk, you will go far.

+

The secret to good health is to eat less and walk more.

+

The secret to Dharma joy is to let go and be at ease.

The first cut is the deepest (Cat Stevens)

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This quote from James Clear almost works for me:

"First or last?

Sometimes the first move is the most important. The first set in the gym. Now you're working out. The first sentence. Now you're writing. The first call. Now you're in the game.

Other times, the last move is the most important. The last brick. Now the building is built. The last line of code. Now the app works. The last round of revisions. Now you can ship it.

What do you need to focus on right now? First or last? Do you need to start or finish?"

I get it but I don't think it's an either/or situation.

The first and last track on a record are equally important but for different reasons. One sets up the mood, grabs attention, hooks the listener and the other seals the deal, finishes on a climax, leaves you breathless with wonder and exhilaration or wanting more.

Take the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album for instance. The first track could only be Sgt. Pepper's. The last could only be A Day In The Life.

In my opinion, the same holds true for books, films, poems, essays and projects that are undertaken.

The start has to be planned, worked on, drafted, polished for maximum impact and the conclusion has to satisfy in some way.

Literature and film are full of things that have a weak start or ending. 

Both are crucial.

As I was motorvatin' over the hill I saw Maybellene in a Coupé De Ville (Chuck Berry)

Photo by Hannah Wei on Unsplash

According to Jere Brophy, motivation to learn is a competence acquired "through general experience but stimulated most directly through modeling, communication of expectations, and direct instruction or socialization by significant others (especially parents and teachers)."

We are currently exploring plans for teaching staff to be more of a presence in our Learning Centres: venue for where Year 9 to 13 students do their zoom lessons and study. We also have separate Learning Centres for primary students and middle school students (Years 7 and 8).

It means that all teachers will need to take their non-contact (a.k.a. release) periods in one of those Learning Centres wherever appropriate - sometimes confidential work or work involving specialist technology may mean a different choice of venue.

The decision has been made at a higher level than me, and I dare say there are other potential factors involved, but it also seems that Brophy's thoughts are an important component.

I want to fly like Superman (The Kinks)

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Retirement has been on my mind of late, especially as a member of the public yesterday made a telling statement.

Before and after school, I do a duty at the gate - to get there I have to walk down part of a public walkway. Because I'm there every day I see some regular dog walkers, bikers, and others doing their perambulations of the Sports Park next to the campus. We nod at each other, say - good morning, or chat.

Yesterday I walked back to the campus with a lady who chatted to me about her recent biking adventures with her husband.

 When we got to the gate leading to the campus she said - have a great day. I said - you too!

She said - I'm retired, I can do what I want. It's so great.

Grrr. Frussin russin!! I could have killed her!