Education vs. Learning

I wasn't always an avid reader. In fact I used to quite literally hate it. But around my junior year of college, all of the sudden I found out there is this wealth of knowledge and interest, mindtrips lets call them. A 'mind trip' would be anything that completely turns your head upside down and makes you stop everything you're doing to say...wow.

I had been turned on to some really good resources of which changed my life in many ways. But the point is books are incredible, they are cheap, and packed fulla learnin (to speak in my native tongue. Just kidding, but only a little).

But to be honest I went through college, it was okay. I don't really want to speak bad about it., college definitely has it's purpose, but I'm also not one to hold back his opinion. It taught me how not to drink, act, or eat, and that you can borrow absurd amounts of money to do close to nothing for four years. But someone will hand you a job because of a little piece of paper.

I'm not against all education, but what I am for, with every part of me is learning. I don't know how many books I've read in the last 3 years but I know I learned more from just one of them than I learned from 4 years of college. Think I'm exaggerating? I'm not.

You're trying to get into better shape? Find a book that inspires you. Want a better life? Pick up something on life style design or that you are passionate about. You want better relationships? Pick up something on self help? Because it's not you it's me? Yeah right. It's always the person in the mirror.

What I've found that works for me, is I go to people I know of that are in positions I'd like to be and find what they recommend and I buy it. Don't ask questions, just do, and follow through.

Here's one to start you out. It might seem stupid but to be honest I wish someone would've given this book to me when I was 14 or so. It's called The Inner Game of Tennis. Although I'm not a tennis player I still think it is a great book for any athlete in any sport, and Pete Carroll says so too.

It's actually extremely good. Short read, which is nice for young athletes with the attention span of zilch. There are a couple chapters devoted to tennis technique, so you can probably skip those if you're not interested in tennis, but otherwise it's a great book to keep around and read regularly.

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Attitude: you cannot be a badass without it.

I remember being in college and hearing other guys say how they'd take plays off in high school. Well my main sports were football, wrestling, and baseball (yeah I ran track too), non of those are sports where you can take a play off during the game.

I had a great attitude when it came to sports. Truthfully I didn't really know any different. I had a heavy go hard or don't show up mentality. That type of crazy kinda runs in the family.

This is my mom. She's a badass.

Attitude is huge, in any sport and in life. You have to have that edge, where there is only one way to go, and that's hard. I tell you what, when I played I had one speed. Like I said I was probably too stupid to know any different but I guarantee you one thing, you put everything you have into every play and your opponents are gonna remember playing you. They'll respect you, they'll probably even fear you.

This is probably the coolest part of this whole movie, but if you haven't seen it I suggest you do.

Facing the Giants

You want your team to play better, you want to be a better athlete, or you want to help your kids be the athlete's they want to be I suggest you work on your attitude. You can't control anyone else's and you can't teach something until you've mastered it yourself. Get your attitude set the right way and reap the benefits.

Till next time, keep being a badass.