How many professional football teams have achieved a perfect season (no losses)? One. The 1972 Miami Dolphins. And even that had an asterisk: they lost 3 preseason games. Dozens of college teams have achieved perfect seasons. Dozens. I’m sure there are lots of sport-specific reasons […]
Year: 2017
Is this going to be on the exam?
When a student asks me, “is this going to be on the test?” I feel a twinge of sadness. Sadness that we’ve put students in a place where they have to be so worried about grades. Sadness that students who ask this question are missing […]
Nobody Cares About Your Grades (but you still need to earn good ones)
What did it take to get into college? A high GPA, and high SAT score, and a few extra-curriculars thrown in for good measure. That’s the screening process. Yet, only 40-70% of students (depending on socioeconomic factors) graduate college. If the goal is to admit only […]
The Two Meanings of “I’ll Do Better Next Time”
“I am an Intentional Learner. I know that I will perform as I practice, and so I practice well. I am not waiting for certification. My results are my certification.” “I’ll do better next time.” I have an image in my head of what it […]
Opening Doors
“I am an Intentional Learner. I may not know my dream yet, but I know where my current path leads. I am not burying my head in the sand, hoping that if I follow the herd good things will happen. I embrace the future I […]
Punching the Clock
“I am an Intentional Learner. I affirm that my ability to breathe does not entitle me to an income. My ability to create something that changes a person’s life leads to payment proportional to the impact. I am not paid by the hour, I am […]
The Market Will Judge You
“I am an Intentional Learner. I learn to add incredible value, not to make grades. I add value by meeting people’s needs. My grades are a reflection of my performance, not the reason for it.” The problem with judging someone based on measurements is that […]
36,500 Days and $2 million
“I am an Intentional Learner. I own my time and my money. I realize that both are finite and I decide how I spend them. I do not allow either to limit my future.” Time and money feel infinite. When we misuse them, it’s easy […]
Participation Trophy
“I am an Intentional Learner. I believe that my life is my fault. I may have started from a different point than everyone else. My path may be easier or harder than everyone else’s. But I will not let my past dictate my future. I […]
Mind the Gap
“I am an Intentional Learner. I see a gap between what I learn in school and what I need to succeed. I don’t wait for the system to fix itself, I leverage its strengths and overcome its weaknesses.” To succeed, you’ll need to develop skills […]
