Beginner's Mind

What patterns and habits are helping you achieve your goals? Which ones are getting in the way? How often do you change up your routines? Sometimes the repetitive choices we have become accustomed to need some adjustments. Choose your oscillations wisely. 

Following up on the concept of authenticity, its complete lack might be most exemplified in the fake friend. Not to be confused with a chapter friend, situational friend, or friend associate. Real relationships require trust and reciprocity, two concepts that can unfortunately be weaponized by manipulative people. 

Being a more authentic human has been all the rage for a while now--but what does that really mean? The Professor discusses authenticity and its caveats while asking his listeners who really deserves that from us. What happens when keeping it real goes right?

After testing positive for both Covid and the flu, the Professor had some anecdotal evidence to share--mostly relating to his symptoms and the overall experience of being sick with Omicron. 

The world of youth sports can be a real test for even the most patient, level headed parents and kids. After spending the last 12 months coaching his son in 3 different sports, the Professor highlights two key points of focus that can be used by both children and adults: attitude and effort. While many things are out of our hands, the perspective we utilize to assess our situation and the work ethic we're willing to put towards our goals are largely in our control. 

How do we make sense of all the tragedy in the world? How can we get anything done with all the madness going on? Sometimes we have to put blinders on, narrow our focus, and create a bubble that works for us. 

After taking a break to reassess and recalibrate what’s important, the Professor is back with a new season of episodes. Since you can’t do it all, and you especially can’t do it all today, each of us has to figure out what our priorities are if we hope to progress towards them. Spending some time figuring out our why and our what can help save us a lot of wasted energy on things that aren’t important. Actualizing our vision involves aligning our big goals with our everyday little habits.

Part 4 of the Professor's series on Biostatistics. Epidemiologists know that if we can hold on a little longer, we can beat this thing. Remember that even if you're vaccinated, kids everywhere aren't. If we jump the gun and try to get back to normal too soon, we'll end up making this drag out even longer--and endanger millions of people in the process. 

Trying something new puts you in the beginner category. While new beginnings are beautiful, they can also be frustrating, confusing, and disappointing, especially when expectations aren't realistic. Embracing the idea of a child's mind--one of curiosity, wonder, and fresh perspective--in both our personal and professional lives can bring new opportunities and help us break out of rigid thought processes and preconceptions. 

Staying at home with our kids in online learning scenarios allows us a special window into the teaching environments and curriculum that otherwise wouldn't have been available. After listening in on his son's 4th grade class for the past year, Shreve shares some principles that we can all apply.