Vicki Davis

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Posts tagged success

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notmyvirginears: A diver has a very personal moment of dejection at the bottom of the pool during the 2012 CCCA Swimming and Diving State Championships at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium on Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Monterey Park, CA. (Photo by Suzanne Tylander © 2012) This particular photo represents an emotional moment rarely caught underwater. This particular diver was expected to win the entire event. The diver knew as soon as he hit the water his form was flawed and that he might have just lost it all. I was fortunate enough to witness this moment as it was unfolding underwater. I captured the sequence of emotion just a split second after he hit the water and began to sink to the bottom with a sense of defeat written in his body language This was the image I chose from the series. I have felt this emotion and disappointment before as many athletes do. My chance to capture it underwater was rare but beautiful. It is a moment no competitive athlete wants to relive but something important that many of us can relate to. It is raw and human and real. Life is so like this. But we swim up to dive another day or we literally drown in self pity.

notmyvirginears:

A diver has a very personal moment of dejection at the bottom of the pool during the 2012 CCCA Swimming and Diving State Championships at East Los Angeles College Swim Stadium on Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Monterey Park, CA. (Photo by Suzanne Tylander © 2012) This particular photo represents an emotional moment rarely caught underwater. This particular diver was expected to win the entire event. The diver knew as soon as he hit the water his form was flawed and that he might have just lost it all. I was fortunate enough to witness this moment as it was unfolding underwater. I captured the sequence of emotion just a split second after he hit the water and began to sink to the bottom with a sense of defeat written in his body language This was the image I chose from the series. I have felt this emotion and disappointment before as many athletes do. My chance to capture it underwater was rare but beautiful. It is a moment no competitive athlete wants to relive but something important that many of us can relate to. It is raw and human and real.

Life is so like this. But we swim up to dive another day or we literally drown in self pity.

(via driftingfocus)

Filed under encouragement dreams goals dissapointment hope failure success persistence

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College GPA Linked to Single Personality Trait

New research suggests conscientious students are more likely to have higher grade point averages.

And all of the personality tests found the other four personality traits [agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience] were not linked to grade point average.

“But because college admissions generally does not select directly or heavily on personality traits, admitted students who score higher on measures of conscientiousness will tend to excel in academic pursuits above and beyond what their high-school grade point averages or achievement test scores would suggest by themselves.”

Conscientiousness is correlated to GPa more than any other trait. Let me ask this, then. Is teaching kids that they never deserve a zero the right thing? Some advocate this stance. While I rarely have to give zeroes, I question a lack of accountability some advocate. I am sharing this with my students tomorrow.

(via gjmueller)

Filed under education character success college research

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neurosciencestuff: A ‘can do’ attitude is the key to a healthy lifestyle, University of Melbourne economists have determined. Researchers from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research analysed data on the diet, exercise and personality type of more than 7,000 people. The study found those who believe their life can be changed by their own actions ate healthier food, exercised more, smoked less and avoided binge drinking. Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark, Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, said those who have a greater faith in ‘luck’ or ‘fate’ are more likely to live an unhealthy life. “Our research shows a direct link between the type of personality a person has and a healthy lifestyle,“ she said. Professor Cobb-Clark hoped the study would help inform public health policies on conditions such as obesity. “The main policy response to the obesity epidemic has been the provision of better information, but information alone is insufficient to change people’s eating habits,” she said. “Understanding the psychological underpinning of a person’s eating patterns and exercise habits is central to understanding obesity.” The study also found men and women hold different views on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Men wanted physical results from their healthy choices, while women were more receptive to the everyday enjoyment of leading a healthy lifestyle. Professor Cobb-Clarke said the research demonstrated the need for more targeted policy responses. “What works well for women may not work well for men,” she said. “Gender specific policy initiatives which respond to these objectives may be particularly helpful in promoting healthy lifestyles.” Your “can” is the secret to whether you CAN. Can you do it? Those who think they can, can. If you think you can’t, you’re right too. As the old adage says, whether you think you can or think you can’t - you’re right.

neurosciencestuff:

A ‘can do’ attitude is the key to a healthy lifestyle, University of Melbourne economists have determined.

Researchers from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research analysed data on the diet, exercise and personality type of more than 7,000 people. The study found those who believe their life can be changed by their own actions ate healthier food, exercised more, smoked less and avoided binge drinking.

Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark, Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, said those who have a greater faith in ‘luck’ or ‘fate’ are more likely to live an unhealthy life. “Our research shows a direct link between the type of personality a person has and a healthy lifestyle,“ she said.

Professor Cobb-Clark hoped the study would help inform public health policies on conditions such as obesity. “The main policy response to the obesity epidemic has been the provision of better information, but information alone is insufficient to change people’s eating habits,” she said.

“Understanding the psychological underpinning of a person’s eating patterns and exercise habits is central to understanding obesity.” The study also found men and women hold different views on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Men wanted physical results from their healthy choices, while women were more receptive to the everyday enjoyment of leading a healthy lifestyle. Professor Cobb-Clarke said the research demonstrated the need for more targeted policy responses. “What works well for women may not work well for men,” she said. “Gender specific policy initiatives which respond to these objectives may be particularly helpful in promoting healthy lifestyles.”

Your “can” is the secret to whether you CAN. Can you do it? Those who think they can, can. If you think you can’t, you’re right too. As the old adage says, whether you think you can or think you can’t - you’re right.

(via jekoh)

Filed under attitude belief faith success encouragement positive thinking inspiration

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Friday on Office Hours: Why do some kids succeed and others fail?

I am going to be getting this book, which was a topic of discussion last week with Dan Pink. He says that the author (aptly with the last name of ‘Tough’) says:
“The book takes on what Tough calls the “cognitive hypothesis,” the idea that success hinges on mental processing speed and traditional brainpower. Instead, citing lots of interesting research, Tough shows that “non-cognitive skills” – perseverance, optimism, self-control, and so on – are actually what matter most.”

Perseverence, optimism, self control. These are things I drill into my students. “No Whining” signs grace the walls. “Never never never give up” is on my fridge at home. I’m going to read this and perhaps share it with my parents at school. Wow.

Filed under education news success tumblr

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Is This Your Kid? The Top Half of the Bell Curve | CSD Blogs and Opinions

My Dad sent me this great article about the bell curve for kids and it may not be what you think. Professionalism, grades, attitude, emotional intelligence, these are all important things, according to this author.

“The top 40% of students have a natural curiosity for learning, and they seek classes, teachers, and experiences that will expand their horizons. The top part of the bell curve will seek out friends and acquaintances who are very studious in their work ethic. They show up on time, follow directions, get along with people and do what they say they are going to do. They will balance class work with outside activities. Many will be proactive in developing internships or learning experiences that will move them to the next level.”

Filed under success education students parenting