As I reflected on a couple of my mis-steps recently, I was reminded of a Josh Waitzkin quote – “It is rarely a mysterious technique that drives us to the top, but rather a profound mastery of what may well be a basic skill set.” Powerful. (H/T: “The Art of Learning” by Josh Waitzkin)
Here are 5 books I read this year that might change how you see the world – 1. Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg (my review/notes, Amazon): Putting this book into practice will be my most important theme in 2019. Since the last 7 weeks, it has already made an impact on how I think about communication … Continue reading 5 books that might change your mind – 2018 edition
I’ve been sharing passages and lessons I’ve been mulling from Josh Waitzkin’s “The Art of Learning” over the past few weeks. This is the final passage and it is about the importance of including your own flair in the learning journey. Learners and performers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are aggressive, others are … Continue reading Your own flair
I’ve been sharing “meditations” from Josh Waitzkin’s “The Art of Learning” in the past few weeks. I’m down to my last two passages. Today’s note is about Tai Chi and breathing. In William Chen’s Tai Chi form, expansive (outward or upward) movements occur with an in-breath, so the body and mind wake up, energize into … Continue reading Tai Chi and breathing
I’ve been mulling a passage from Josh Waitzkin’s Art of Learning and thought I’d share it in full. In every discipline, the ability to be clearheaded, present, cool under fire is much of what separates the best from the mediocre. In competition, the dynamic is often painfully transparent. If one player is serenely present while … Continue reading Presence must be like breathing
A woman was about to cross the 33rd street in New York City. As she was about to cross, she looked the wrong way and took a step forward. But, a bicyclist she didn’t see swerved and narrowly missed her. She fell. Instead of taking a step back to the pavement, however, she began screaming … Continue reading Downward Spirals
When a performer first starts out in a new system or level of play, they have to take apart their game and learn a new set of skills. If the performer is expected to perform brilliantly in her first few games in a new system, she will definitely disappoint. Josh Waitzkin (in his book, “The Art … Continue reading Investing in Loss
In his book, “The Art of Learning,” Josh Waitzkin shares his mom’s thought on the two ways of taming a stallion. The first is the “shock and awe” method. Tie it up and freak it out by shaking paper bags, rattling cans, and driving it crazy till it submits to any noise. Make it endure … Continue reading Two ways of taming a stallion
I’ve updated my book reviews blog with reviews and notes from 8 books from the first half of the year. Of these, “The Art of Learning” was my absolute favorite. There were many lessons that stuck chords deep within. But, “The Art of Learning” may not be the book you are seeking right now. And, if … Continue reading The Art of Learning and other great books
A Learning a Day 