Comments for 6IXTH MAN CHARACTER http://www.6ixthman.com PERFORMANCE DRIVEN BY TRUTH Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:27:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on THE DELUSION SERIES: EPISODE 1 by Amber http://www.6ixthman.com/the-delusion-series-episode-1/comment-page-1/#comment-5293 Amber Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:27:30 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4240#comment-5293 I agree that in America people delude themselves all the time, and often think of their capacity to do so as a virtue. We tell people that they can do anything that they put their mind to, that any dream is within their grasp. The truth is, to be successful you need to balance your enthusiasm towards achieving a dream with a hard look at reality concerning what it takes to reach that dream (or if reaching the dream is even possible). It's not good enough to desire something without anchoring yourself to a plan, floating mindlessly along until fate grants you that you desire. Simply put, there is too much dreaming (and delusion) and not enough reality. When dreams don't come true, particularly for young people, it creates a real sense of resentment and anger. I think we need to change this culture and start putting more emphasis on reality and hard work, which is where the real virtue lies... I agree that in America people delude themselves all the time, and often think of their capacity to do so as a virtue. We tell people that they can do anything that they put their mind to, that any dream is within their grasp. The truth is, to be successful you need to balance your enthusiasm towards achieving a dream with a hard look at reality concerning what it takes to reach that dream (or if reaching the dream is even possible). It’s not good enough to desire something without anchoring yourself to a plan, floating mindlessly along until fate grants you that you desire. Simply put, there is too much dreaming (and delusion) and not enough reality. When dreams don’t come true, particularly for young people, it creates a real sense of resentment and anger. I think we need to change this culture and start putting more emphasis on reality and hard work, which is where the real virtue lies…

]]> Comment on JEREMY LIN AND THE RANK OF UNDERDOG by norman http://www.6ixthman.com/jeremy-lin-and-the-rank-of-underdog/comment-page-1/#comment-5252 norman Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:39:22 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4236#comment-5252 Thanks for readin' eh. Thanks for readin’ eh.

]]> Comment on JEREMY LIN AND THE RANK OF UNDERDOG by Jared http://www.6ixthman.com/jeremy-lin-and-the-rank-of-underdog/comment-page-1/#comment-5233 Jared Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:21:16 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4236#comment-5233 I like your thoughts on making sure that we need to be ready to attempt something big or we have nothing in common with him. Good reminder man. I like your thoughts on making sure that we need to be ready to attempt something big or we have nothing in common with him. Good reminder man.

]]> Comment on ARE YOU A SORE LOSER? by norman http://www.6ixthman.com/are-you-a-sore-loser-a-kobe-bryant-lesson/comment-page-1/#comment-4602 norman Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:22:47 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=3922#comment-4602 I had to go back and read this comment from one Brit Coach. So true is it that there is a learned helplessness in our global culture. I used to think it was just us Americans that taught our children to blame others for things inside their control. At any rate, as a teacher/coach/mentor/and student of life I am finding that responsibility is a daily bout. It is riddled with the truth that we hate to confront. More and more I realize that we are not who we wish we were in the moment of trial. But the weakness that threatens our character is simply fear. We're afraid of being caught, afraid of committing to better habits and afraid of owning the consequence for actions we know are beneath us. We look around for allies when failure looms overhead. "It's not my fault," we say panning our audience for would-be supporters. But kudos to you Brit Coach for keeping it real and talking to those kids. I reckon you'd have the same talk with your daughters and will continue to be that voice in your community. I applaud your efforts. I'm runnin' with you on your squad. I had to go back and read this comment from one Brit Coach. So true is it that there is a learned helplessness in our global culture. I used to think it was just us Americans that taught our children to blame others for things inside their control. At any rate, as a teacher/coach/mentor/and student of life I am finding that responsibility is a daily bout. It is riddled with the truth that we hate to confront. More and more I realize that we are not who we wish we were in the moment of trial. But the weakness that threatens our character is simply fear. We’re afraid of being caught, afraid of committing to better habits and afraid of owning the consequence for actions we know are beneath us. We look around for allies when failure looms overhead. “It’s not my fault,” we say panning our audience for would-be supporters. But kudos to you Brit Coach for keeping it real and talking to those kids. I reckon you’d have the same talk with your daughters and will continue to be that voice in your community. I applaud your efforts. I’m runnin’ with you on your squad.

]]> Comment on SHOOTOUT WITH GOD by norman http://www.6ixthman.com/shootout-with-god/comment-page-1/#comment-3373 norman Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:27:46 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4172#comment-3373 There's always a "next" with God I've found Gina. I'm excited that you're ready to get back in the fray and see where your fire is. You need stimuli to be passionate and I'm sure you'll find them. I'm sure as your family dynamics change and the girls get older it may cause you to reflect on the challenging opportunities God set before you years back. There’s always a “next” with God I’ve found Gina. I’m excited that you’re ready to get back in the fray and see where your fire is. You need stimuli to be passionate and I’m sure you’ll find them. I’m sure as your family dynamics change and the girls get older it may cause you to reflect on the challenging opportunities God set before you years back.

]]> Comment on SHOOTOUT WITH GOD by Gina F http://www.6ixthman.com/shootout-with-god/comment-page-1/#comment-3363 Gina F Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:15:22 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4172#comment-3363 Coach Norman, You been a fly on the wall of my life? Wow. Battle with mediocrity is raging here, I am way stuck on repeat! God is not relenting... counting the cost but obviously not ticked enough yet. When I homeschooled and coached the Varsity Girls at CHS I had fire and vision... I need that fire back for my life (post homeschooling and coaching). God is talking to me loud and clear... God help me persevere and breakthrough! And you too my brother :) Firmly in His grip (albeit with no small struggle), "Coach" G Coach Norman,

You been a fly on the wall of my life? Wow. Battle with mediocrity is raging here, I am way stuck on repeat! God is not relenting… counting the cost but obviously not ticked enough yet. When I homeschooled and coached the Varsity Girls at CHS I had fire and vision… I need that fire back for my life (post homeschooling and coaching).

God is talking to me loud and clear… God help me persevere and breakthrough! And you too my brother :)

Firmly in His grip (albeit with no small struggle),
“Coach” G

]]> Comment on GENIUSES by Sandeep http://www.6ixthman.com/geniuses/comment-page-1/#comment-1818 Sandeep Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:57:33 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4047#comment-1818 Great stuff as per usual Norm! Really got me thinking! :) Great stuff as per usual Norm! Really got me thinking! :)

]]> Comment on CALCULATING by norman http://www.6ixthman.com/calculating/comment-page-1/#comment-1705 norman Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:19:23 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4033#comment-1705 I'm feelin' you on all you said. The rub of the modern pro athletic construct is that it seems to present this either-or fallacy to guys too young or too impetuous to sort out their real choices upon making the jump from college or wherever to the millions. They feel that either I go get this money or it will evade me and the rainbow with the gold in it will be in another guy's yard tomorrow. I can't fault a man trying to better his family or advance himself with his gift but the first rule of ball handling for me was to dribble with your head up. And G. Oden is a classic scenario that most dudes like him have to fear. Shaun Livingston is fortunate to still have a job in the league as is Gilbert Arenas, both one injury away from a grim confrontation with average Joe life. I would hope that the lockout, this time around, features some teachable moments for players. Owners have been business men for years. Players haven't and it often shows in their naivete. I'm looking forward to an intervention.... I’m feelin’ you on all you said. The rub of the modern pro athletic construct is that it seems to present this either-or fallacy to guys too young or too impetuous to sort out their real choices upon making the jump from college or wherever to the millions. They feel that either I go get this money or it will evade me and the rainbow with the gold in it will be in another guy’s yard tomorrow. I can’t fault a man trying to better his family or advance himself with his gift but the first rule of ball handling for me was to dribble with your head up. And G. Oden is a classic scenario that most dudes like him have to fear. Shaun Livingston is fortunate to still have a job in the league as is Gilbert Arenas, both one injury away from a grim confrontation with average Joe life. I would hope that the lockout, this time around, features some teachable moments for players. Owners have been business men for years. Players haven’t and it often shows in their naivete. I’m looking forward to an intervention….

]]> Comment on CALCULATING by lakurluv http://www.6ixthman.com/calculating/comment-page-1/#comment-1702 lakurluv Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:00:56 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=4033#comment-1702 Good Read. I just wanted to comment and say that I believe this is the downside to many athletes good fortune and that there is a bad one. As quickly as they earn their millions of dollars from paychecks and endorsements, they easily forget how soon it could all end with an injury or a lockout. The funny thing to me is that it almost seems that the players think they are above economics; like if they can't take a pay-cut like the rest of the world. Oh yeah it's obvious that the owners have created their own "Frankenstein" (Kenny the Jet), and with most of the players coming from environments some would deem "GHETTO", the players don't care, their mindset is that of entitlement anyway and I would venture to say they don't even know any better...It's almost as if they are one-upping the owners on the "who's doing who" side of things. Lebron said it after his Loss in the Finals, "He has his life and they (we or whoever he's talking about) have ours" I guess? You're right though, most are unprepared for life outside of the leather laced ball whatever size it may be, and truth be told some of those guys are pretty smart, but uneducated...Not in school so much as life... Good Read. I just wanted to comment and say that I believe this is the downside to many athletes good fortune and that there is a bad one. As quickly as they earn their millions of dollars from paychecks and endorsements, they easily forget how soon it could all end with an injury or a lockout.
The funny thing to me is that it almost seems that the players think they are above economics; like if they can’t take a pay-cut like the rest of the world. Oh yeah it’s obvious that the owners have created their own “Frankenstein” (Kenny the Jet), and with most of the players coming from environments some would deem “GHETTO”, the players don’t care, their mindset is that of entitlement anyway and I would venture to say they don’t even know any better…It’s almost as if they are one-upping the owners on the “who’s doing who” side of things.
Lebron said it after his Loss in the Finals, “He has his life and they (we or whoever he’s talking about) have ours” I guess?
You’re right though, most are unprepared for life outside of the leather laced ball whatever size it may be, and truth be told some of those guys are pretty smart, but uneducated…Not in school so much as life…

]]> Comment on ARE YOU A SORE LOSER? by Brit Coach http://www.6ixthman.com/are-you-a-sore-loser-a-kobe-bryant-lesson/comment-page-1/#comment-1642 Brit Coach Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:34:46 +0000 http://www.6ixthman.com/?p=3922#comment-1642 I watched a basketball final today between 2 school teams of 14 year old kids. The final was a mixed event with the rules dictating that 3 boys and 2 girls be on court for each team throughout. The history between these 2 teams (boys only) is ongoing as they often meet each other in local school finals. As expected, the game was close and the presence of the female team members changed the team dynamics somewhat for the better. The boys were less aggresive, or at least more controlled with their aggression. The game endedand the teams were separated by just 1 point. A great display by both teams in a tournament organised and officiated by older kids volunteering from a local college. Both teams returned to their benches at the end and I witnessed celebration by the winners on one side, and also a heated exchange from the players and coach at the other side. I wandered over and listened closer to hear the 2 'better' male players venting their frustration siting biased refereeing and inconsistent calls as the reason for their loss. This plea to their coach lasted 2 or 3 minutes as she patiently listened and tried to calm them down, whilst their team mates tried to stay positive as their view was that they lost a tightly fought game and that is sometimes what happens. I felt the need to speak to the 2 players as their coach looked a little lost at the barrage of complaints. I complimented them on a great performance along with their team mates and pointed out that the officials were neutral, and I also advised that they shouldn't focus on such negatives and their loss was all a matter of perspective. I suggested that they might want to reflect on turnovers, a foot placed out of bounds, or even a missed free throw or 3 and these were a contributor to a close loss. It made them quieten down for a while but I just know their conversation continued as they left the hall. As adults we really must encourage our students to take ownership of their lives and actions. Our society does seem to promote a blame culture which seems to enable young people deal with failure easier. My 4 year old daughter sometimes says " It wasn't my fault it was yours!" which she picks up from others at school I am sure. As adults and mentors we must convince our kids to focus on the positive and reflect on the negative. I watched a basketball final today between 2 school teams of 14 year old kids. The final was a mixed event with the rules dictating that 3 boys and 2 girls be on court for each team throughout. The history between these 2 teams (boys only) is ongoing as they often meet each other in local school finals. As expected, the game was close and the presence of the female team members changed the team dynamics somewhat for the better. The boys were less aggresive, or at least more controlled with their aggression. The game endedand the teams were separated by just 1 point. A great display by both teams in a tournament organised and officiated by older kids volunteering from a local college. Both teams returned to their benches at the end and I witnessed celebration by the winners on one side, and also a heated exchange from the players and coach at the other side. I wandered over and listened closer to hear the 2 ‘better’ male players venting their frustration siting biased refereeing and inconsistent calls as the reason for their loss. This plea to their coach lasted 2 or 3 minutes as she patiently listened and tried to calm them down, whilst their team mates tried to stay positive as their view was that they lost a tightly fought game and that is sometimes what happens. I felt the need to speak to the 2 players as their coach looked a little lost at the barrage of complaints. I complimented them on a great performance along with their team mates and pointed out that the officials were neutral, and I also advised that they shouldn’t focus on such negatives and their loss was all a matter of perspective. I suggested that they might want to reflect on turnovers, a foot placed out of bounds, or even a missed free throw or 3 and these were a contributor to a close loss. It made them quieten down for a while but I just know their conversation continued as they left the hall.
As adults we really must encourage our students to take ownership of their lives and actions. Our society does seem to promote a blame culture which seems to enable young people deal with failure easier. My 4 year old daughter sometimes says ” It wasn’t my fault it was yours!” which she picks up from others at school I am sure. As adults and mentors we must convince our kids to focus on the positive and reflect on the negative.

]]>