Last week I spoke of Sacrifice. Upon further reflection, I really need to elaborate about Sacrifice.
It’s simple really, there is a mathematical equation to success; you follow it, you succeed; you don’t, and you won’t.
The amount of work to become a professional in anything is 10,000 hours. Be it musicians, artists, athletes, writers, chess players, or master criminals…the equation is ALWAYS the same.
3 hours x 7 days a week (or roughly 20 hours a week) for 10 years = 10,000 hours or a professional in your craft (Caldwell 2008).
Now that we know the equation, lets take a look at famous people who have used it (whether they knew it or not).
One of the top selling bands of all time, the Beatles would travel to Hamburg, Germany to play in Strip Clubs. On their first trip they played a 106 nights, for 5 to 6 hours a night. Their second trip, 92 nights. Their third 48 but for a total of 172 hours on stage. Their final two times totaling over 90 hours performing. It was said that they preformed over 270 times in a year and a half. By the time they burst onto the scene in 1964 the Beatles had preformed over 1,200 times live, which is nothing short of astonishing. For, most bands don’t perform live 1,200 times in their entire career. But this is their 10,000 hours; this is what set them apart (Caldwell 2008).
Bill Gates, one of the wealthiest men on the planet, started Microsoft. However, when he was in high school, his teacher gave him and several students a pass to use the University of Washington’s Computer lab. Which was at the time, the most advanced computer lab in the country. Being a few miles from his house, young Bill would spend 5 days a week in that lab after school, often times staying in there until 3 or 4 am. 5 nights a week, from 4pm-4am from his freshmen year in high school until his senior year…10,000 hours (Caldwell 2008).
Are you beginning to see the pattern here? When understood, it seems so simple. There truly is a recipe for success. So learn it, apply it…and you shall achieve for dreams.
Colin Matteson
University of Alaska Basketball
Colin_Matteson@msn.com
206.697.2498
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tapout Thursdays
I can't tell you how to create success out of wishful thinking, or how much luck it will take to really capitalize on an idea. All i do know is that if you never take the first step you'll never know what could have been. If you're passionate about something, TRULY passionate, why NOT take a little risk and see how far you can take it?
What started out as a passion turned into an idea. The idea turned into a phone call, and the call turned out to be a position on a radio show. Now you can hear my voice at 5:07 pm on 1380 KRKO's brand new Tapout Thursdays.
Caleb and I analyze Mixed Martial Arts. We've done it for years for fun simply because we're passionate about it. A few months ago we struck an idea: "Hey, let's make a show out of it... it'll be like.... Pardon the interruption or something! We'll talk about the UFC events and pick who we think is gunna win... I mean since we do it already we might as well film it haha"
3 filmed events and 2,000 youtube views later I'm on the phone with Jeff "The Fish" Aaron, host of 3 to 6 with The Fish on KRKO am sports radio.
What started out as a passion turned into an idea. The idea turned into a phone call, and the call turned out to be a position on a radio show. Now you can hear my voice at 5:07 pm on 1380 KRKO's brand new Tapout Thursdays.
Caleb and I just as easily could have left the idea as an idea...
-Koa
On Creativity
I've been stuck on this video all week, because it definitely hit me close to home.
Growing up, when ever anybody asked my why I twitch so much, why I can't NOT shake my leg when I'm sitting down, why, when not asleep, I always have to be moving or pacing, I always responded with the same thing. I told them "well I have ADHD"
And they'd say "wait... really?"
I'd respond "Well about as much as half the kids in the country being put on Ritalin for it"
I was able to develop an opinion at an early age about how we all can channel our energy. For me, it was my hobbies. My drawing, my guitar playing, my photography. It's not necessarily easy for a lot of people to channel that energy into their studies in a classroom type setting. But what if we were all, at an early age, able to focus our creative energy into the path of least resistance?
-V
www.VerzolaPhotography.com
Growing up, when ever anybody asked my why I twitch so much, why I can't NOT shake my leg when I'm sitting down, why, when not asleep, I always have to be moving or pacing, I always responded with the same thing. I told them "well I have ADHD"
And they'd say "wait... really?"
I'd respond "Well about as much as half the kids in the country being put on Ritalin for it"
I was able to develop an opinion at an early age about how we all can channel our energy. For me, it was my hobbies. My drawing, my guitar playing, my photography. It's not necessarily easy for a lot of people to channel that energy into their studies in a classroom type setting. But what if we were all, at an early age, able to focus our creative energy into the path of least resistance?
-V
www.VerzolaPhotography.com
Fight Swine With Style
hey all...i don't know much about this swine flu thing, but what i do know is that it is bringing out the creativity in the surgical mask folks. who knew a mask would be the big accessory for summer '09? not even galliano nor giles had any idea...there was no way of predicting it.
what i do know is that these are fabulous ways in which to avoid it. we're talking glitter and mustaches...what could be better? true, death maybe around the corner, but let's all take a moment to thank the pigs for the opportunity to partake!
also, these. bring out your inner beast to keep from being infected my one. these are the peak of functionality and style! and who are we kidding...i don't think there's anyone who didn't want to be some kind of animal when they were a kid. this is a perfect opportunity to live the dream.
i am not surprised in the least, but it never ceases to amaze me how we are still trying to make a profit- even in the face of a global epidemic. i've caught wind that the vaccines are on backorder, or something like that, but it pretty much equals danger for man kind. if there's no cure, we might as well laugh our way to our graves :)
...please stay healthy long enough to live to see next week's blog. peace.
-kate g
Be Nice
well as i see it power is not givin it is taken. but that doesnt mean you have to be mean in business. you can always be a nice, humble, caring person and still be a titan in business. but heres and example of someone taking control but still being humble... let me introduce BIG SEAN...
if you dont know who this kid is or ever heard his name... you will this year. he signed to GOOD music (kanye wests record label) about 2 years ago and hes dropping his debut album this year. anyway watch and get inspired.
-steviegunz
if you dont know who this kid is or ever heard his name... you will this year. he signed to GOOD music (kanye wests record label) about 2 years ago and hes dropping his debut album this year. anyway watch and get inspired.
-steviegunz
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sacrifice: Part 1
There are so many facets of this lifestyle that makes us what we are. Many things that force us to stand out.
As of late I’ve been thinking about Sacrifice, which in essence is the walk behind the talk. People say what sounds good, and then there’s the truth. People look at athletes, musicians, and artists, and think I want what they have. What those people see is the end result; all they see is the success. They don’t see the thousands of hours of work put in. They don’t see the blood, sweat and tears, that go into being successful.
Recently I was at a hip-hop show, listening to the opening artists, and as I was sitting there bobbing my head to beat, I looked around. What I saw was sacrifice. This man on the stage was playing for a crowd of four people at a no-name bar in Fairbanks, Alaska. While many people would laugh at this man, call him a fool, or dismiss him as a nobody. I admired him. For I have been there, and I understood, this is what it takes to make it. He poured out his heart into a hour and fifteen minute set, and stood around until the bar closed selling CD’s and merchandise.
Watching this man, reminded me of all that I have sacrificed. The thousands of hours I’ve spent alone in the gym, shooting, and dribbling until I couldn’t lift my arms. The lonely nights spent working on my game and perfecting my craft while everyone was out partying. Playing hundreds of games in empty gyms for just family and friends.
I do all of this because I understand that this is what it takes. I will continue to do this, to work tirelessly in pursuit of my dreams. This is sacrifice.
Colin Matteson
University of Alaska
Colin_Matteson@msn.com
206.697.2498
As of late I’ve been thinking about Sacrifice, which in essence is the walk behind the talk. People say what sounds good, and then there’s the truth. People look at athletes, musicians, and artists, and think I want what they have. What those people see is the end result; all they see is the success. They don’t see the thousands of hours of work put in. They don’t see the blood, sweat and tears, that go into being successful.
Recently I was at a hip-hop show, listening to the opening artists, and as I was sitting there bobbing my head to beat, I looked around. What I saw was sacrifice. This man on the stage was playing for a crowd of four people at a no-name bar in Fairbanks, Alaska. While many people would laugh at this man, call him a fool, or dismiss him as a nobody. I admired him. For I have been there, and I understood, this is what it takes to make it. He poured out his heart into a hour and fifteen minute set, and stood around until the bar closed selling CD’s and merchandise.
Watching this man, reminded me of all that I have sacrificed. The thousands of hours I’ve spent alone in the gym, shooting, and dribbling until I couldn’t lift my arms. The lonely nights spent working on my game and perfecting my craft while everyone was out partying. Playing hundreds of games in empty gyms for just family and friends.
I do all of this because I understand that this is what it takes. I will continue to do this, to work tirelessly in pursuit of my dreams. This is sacrifice.
Colin Matteson
University of Alaska
Colin_Matteson@msn.com
206.697.2498
“I love and accept everything about myself and my life now.”
I’ve recently thought a lot about personal definition; about how and with what we define ourselves and how that fits into how others view us. I believe that there are two sides to every person’s psyche- a perceptive self who is the person you feel you are in your mind, and a projected self who is the person you are understood to be to people around you. The perceptive self is aware of morals and values, while the projected self is understood through your attitudes and actions.
Our perceptive self and our projected self are two very different things and we are constantly in an inner struggle trying to balance the two. I believe that the imbalance of the two is the source of unhappiness for a large majority of people. Have you ever thought though what would happen if your perceptive self was in alignment with your projected self? If you were exactly who you wanted to be? If who you were inside was exactly who everyone saw you as? You would be absolutely satisfied with yourself and your surroundings and your circumstance. You would be totally at peace. There would be no need for jealousy, hostility or greed. You would be able to live free of peer pressure and focus on more important things. This week, I challenge you to align “yourselves” and remember that every day is a new day.
A silly song can always lighten the mood! Enjoy ☺
Kate Giampaolo
707.498.8529
Marche_707@hotmail.com
Our perceptive self and our projected self are two very different things and we are constantly in an inner struggle trying to balance the two. I believe that the imbalance of the two is the source of unhappiness for a large majority of people. Have you ever thought though what would happen if your perceptive self was in alignment with your projected self? If you were exactly who you wanted to be? If who you were inside was exactly who everyone saw you as? You would be absolutely satisfied with yourself and your surroundings and your circumstance. You would be totally at peace. There would be no need for jealousy, hostility or greed. You would be able to live free of peer pressure and focus on more important things. This week, I challenge you to align “yourselves” and remember that every day is a new day.
A silly song can always lighten the mood! Enjoy ☺
Kate Giampaolo
707.498.8529
Marche_707@hotmail.com
All About Production
There is one phrase that continued to chase me this week. That phrase goes like this: “If you don’t go make this happen, then it won’t happen.” This phrase entitles an unwritten law of production.
People can survive primitively by doing every day tasks like brushing their teeth, making/eating food in order to have energy and fuel to keep their body going and, showering in order to take away old cells. Those type of tasks are going to happen no matter what. These examples should provide a clear definition of the difference between primitive production and business production.
Business production is all up in your business. What tasks do you perform in exchange for money or satisfaction? If you want more of that money or satisfaction, then you should go and get it.
Obviously there are obstacles, people saying “No.”, missing resources, and a lack of drive. This is your awakening to make things happen. Part of being productive is assessing those obstacles and figuring out how to avoid and deter them.
Get off your ass and go make it happen. Because if you don’t, then it wont.
-J
www.SpencerJacobsen.com
People can survive primitively by doing every day tasks like brushing their teeth, making/eating food in order to have energy and fuel to keep their body going and, showering in order to take away old cells. Those type of tasks are going to happen no matter what. These examples should provide a clear definition of the difference between primitive production and business production.
Business production is all up in your business. What tasks do you perform in exchange for money or satisfaction? If you want more of that money or satisfaction, then you should go and get it.
Obviously there are obstacles, people saying “No.”, missing resources, and a lack of drive. This is your awakening to make things happen. Part of being productive is assessing those obstacles and figuring out how to avoid and deter them.
Get off your ass and go make it happen. Because if you don’t, then it wont.
-J
www.SpencerJacobsen.com
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