Books Are Great

Cliches, turns of phrase and common expressions can all be poked fun at. We are happy to use them in lieu of finding our own, original words; but do they actually get the job done?
Benno Nelson joins this special guest-hosted episode to discuss words, phrases and their purposes in the context of this lovely little work from the turn of the 20th century.

The path to mastery includes many plateaus, short bursts of improvement and requires a lifetime of vision.
George Leonard teaches us to love the plateaus. He teaches us to develop the vision. We concentrate on steady improvement, understanding that there will be setbacks and frustrations. By enjoying the process, enjoying each practice, loving the minute details that are involved, we become masters.
Masters stay on the mat longer than anyone else. Masters enjoy drilling the fundamentals. Masters keep moving forward even without seeing the outward effects of improvement.

1. Lead from the inside out
2. Bench the Ego
3. Let each player discover his own destiny
4. The road to freedom
5. Turn the mundane into the sacred
6. One breath = One Mind
7. The key to success is compassion
8. Keep your eye on the spirit, not the scoreboard
9. Sometimes you have to pull out the big stick
10. When in doubt, do nothing
11. Forget the ring

Seneca was born in Spain, lived much of his life in Rome, and was the advisor to several emperors. He was exiled, fell deathly ill, brought back to advise again, and eventually died under Nero.
As one of the original stoic thinkers, his wisdom is timeless. His advice hasn't gone stale in the 2,000 years since it was written.
Seneca spent a lifetime working out the best ways to think, to live and to get meaning from life.
This episode deals with life, death, illness, boredom and acceptance.

Exhibit a ferocious and intelligently applied work ethic directed at continual improvement
Demonstrate respect for each person in the organization
Be deeply committed to learning and teaching
Be fair
Demonstrate character
Honor the direct connection between details and improvement, relentlessly seek the latter
Show self-control, especially under pressure
Demonstrate and prize loyalty
Use positive language and have a positive attitude
Take pride in my effort as an entity separate from the result of that effort
Be willing to go the extra distance for the organization
Deal appropriately with victory and defeat, adulation and humiliation
Promote internal communication that is both open and substantive
Seek poise in myself and those I lead
Put the team's welfare and priorities ahead of my own
Maintain an ongoing level of concentration and focus that is abnormally high
Make sacrifice and commitment the organization's trademark