Lifelong Learning (Cross Post)

 "Be a learn-it-all not a know-it-all."

What and whom do you think about when you picture, "lifelong learner?" Make it ourselves.

Billionaire Steve Forbes reads at least fifty pages a day. Kevin Eastman reads two hours a day. Warren Buffett spends half his work day reading about companies. 

It's not just business people who read. Basketball 'bookworms' include Coach George Raveling, Mike Neighbors of Arkansas Women's basketball, Gregg Popovich, and Steve Kerr. 

Invest in ourselves. Have a plan. 

• Take breaks. Twenty-five minutes on, five minutes off. 
• Test ourselves. What did I just read? What are the key points. 
• Use 'spaced repetition'. Don't cram. Go back to a subject at intervals. 
• Think about analogies and derivatives. 
• What would I do under these circumstances?
• Consider how our communication impacts others. 

What not to do.

• Don't tell ourselves, "it's too hard." 
• Don't stop at problem discovery. Seek solutions.
• Don't be on an island. Leaders are communicators. 

Have a learning plan. 

• Set aside time for learning.
• Use learning resources about basketball and life. 
• Read every day. 
• Keep a journal (blog or diary).
• Study video.  

Ask better questions?

• What do we do to win?
• How do we not lose? Avoid bad plays.
• How can I teach better? 

Summary: 

- Become our vision of the learner.

- Set aside time. 

- Reflect on what we learn. 

- Stories are often good ways to share lessons. 

- Teach players what to avoid to prevent losing (bad plays).

Lagniappe (something extra). Mental toughness is a difference maker. Physical condition and mindfulness are two paths. 

Research shows athletes can fail to reach their potential for many reasons.. Injuries, systematic failures, physical limitations BUT the most common reason seems to be the lack of mental strength to handle adversity

Don’t let your mind stop you from reaching your full potential

— Laken James (@lakenjames5) October 31, 2022

Lagniappe 2. Be coachable. 

Uncoachable vs. Coachable

Uncoachable players:
-Take it personally
-Feel they’re being singled out
-Become very defensive

Coachable players:
-Open to feedback/criticism
-Want to be coached
-See it as a way to get better

— Drew Maddux (@DrewMaddux) November 1, 2022