The White House is pushing to dedicate an additional billion dollars to fund artificial intelligence research, effectively doubling the budget for that purpose outside of Defense Department spending, Reuters reported today, citing people briefed on the plan. Investment in quantum computing would also receive a major boost.

The 2021 budget proposal would reportedly increase AI R&D funding to nearly $2 billion, and quantum to about $860 million, over the next two years.

The U.S. is engaged in what some describe as a race with China in the field of AI, though unlike most races this one has no real finish line. Instead, any serious lead means opportunities in business and military applications that may grow to become the next globe-spanning monopoly, a la Google or Facebook which themselves, as quasi-sovereign powers, invest heavily in the field for their own purposes.

Simply doubling the budget isnt a magic bullet to take the lead, if anyone can be said to have it, but deploying AI to new fields is not without cost and an increase in grants and other direct funding will almost certainly enable the technology to be applied more widely. Machine learning has proven to be useful for a huge variety of purposes and for many researchers and labs is a natural next step but expertise and processing power cost money.

Its not clear how the funds would be disbursed; Its possible existing programs like federal Small Business Innovation Research awards could be expanded with this topic in mind, or direct funding to research centers like the National Labs could be increased.

Research into quantum computing and related fields is likewise costly. Googles milestone last fall of achieving quantum superiority, or so the claim goes, is only the beginning for the science and neither the hardware nor software involved have much in the way of precedents.

Furthermore quantum computers as they exist today and for the foreseeable future have very few valuable applications, meaning pursuing them is only an investment in the most optimistic sense. However, government funding via SBIR and grants like those are intended to de-risk exactly this kind of research.

The proposed budget for NASA is also expected to receive a large increase in order to accelerate and reinforce various efforts within the Artemis Moon landing program. It was not immediately clear how these funds would be raised or from where they would be reallocated.

Read this article:

White House reportedly aims to double AI research budget to $2B - TechCrunch

Lead story - Quantum computing - risks, opportunities and use cases - by Chris Middleton

MyPOV: Master-of-the-edgy-think-piece Chris Middleton unfurled a meaty two-parter on the realities of quantum computing. As a quantum computing fan boy and a proud quantum-changes-everything association member curmudgeon, I was glad to see Chris take this on.

In Quantum tech - big opportunities from (very, very) little things, he reminds us that pigeonholing quantum as "computing" is a mistake:

Quantum technology embraces a host of different systems, each of which could form a fast-expanding sector of its own if investors shift their focus away from computing. These include quantum timing, metrology, and navigation, such as the development of hyper-accurate, portable atomic clocks.

Each use case carries its own risks/opportunities, and need for transparency, particularly when you combine quantum and "AI." However, based on the recent sessions he attended, Chris says we should think of quantum as enhancing our tool kit rather than replacing classic computing outright. He concludes:

In business and technology, we see a world of big objects and quantifiable opportunities, and it is far from clear how the quantum realm relates to it though it is clear that it does. In short, investors, policymakers, and business leaders need something tangible and relatable before they reach for their credit cards.

Translation quantum computing is so 2021 (or maybe 2025). But I find middle ground with the hypesters: we'd better start talking about the implications now. Quantum computing has a far greater inevitability than say, enterprise blockchains.

Diginomica picks - my top stories on diginomica this week

Vendor analysis, diginomica style. Bears might be hibernating, but enterprise software vendors sure aren't napping:

Koch buys Infor: When Infor's CFO Kevin Samuelson took over the CEO role from Charles Phillips, many felt that the pending Infor IPO was in play. Well, many were wrong. Derek was on the case:

Infor to be acquired by Koch Industries - whats the likely impact? and the follow-on: Infor answers questions on Koch acquisition. The big question here, to me, isn't why Koch versus IPO. It's CloudSuite SaaS adoption. And which industries can Infor address via SaaS industry ERP? Derek's pieces give us important clues - and we'll we watching.

Google breaks out cloud earnings: ordinarily, earning reports are not watershed moments. But this was the first time "Alphabet" broke out Google Cloud (and YouTube) numbers. Google is obviously wary of the AWS and Azure comparisons. But it's not easy to break it all out anyhow (Google added GSuite revenues in also). Stuart parses it out inGoogle's 'challenger' cloud business hits $10 billion annual run rate as Alphabet breaks out the numbers for the first time.

SAP extends Business Suite maintenance to 2030 (with caveats): Arguably the biggest SAP story since the leadership change. Den had some questions stuck in his craw things to say, so he unfurled a two-parter:

MyPOV: a smart move - though an expected one - for the SAP new leadership team, with the user groups heavily involved in pushing the case. However, the next smart moves will be a lot tougher.

More vendor analysis:

And if that's not enough, Brian's got a Zoho review, I filed an Acumatica use case on SaaS best-of-breed, and Stuart crunched a landmark Zendesk earnings report.

Jon's grab bag - My annual productivity post is up and out; plus I took gratuitous shots at linkbaity Slack-has-ruined-work headlines (Personal productivity 2020 - Slack and Microsoft Teams didn't ruin work - but they didn't fix work either).

Neil explains the inexplicable in The problem of AI explainability - can we overcome it? Finally, I'm glad Jerry addressed the Clearview AI bottom-feeders in Clearview AI - super crime fighter or the death of privacy as we know it? There's a special place in my personal Hades for greedy entrepreneurs who steal faces, drape their motives in totally bogus 1st amendment claims, and plan to sell said data to authoritarian regimes. These bozos make robocallers look like human rights activists.

Lead story - analyzing the wreckage of the Iowa caucus tech fail

MyPOV: This could probably just be the whiffs section. The Iowa caucus app failure is very much like this: if you and I wrote down a step-by-step plan on how to screw up a mission-critical app launch, with everything from poor user engagement to technical failure to lack of contingencies to hacking vulnerabilities (which fortunately were not exploited), we've have this mess.

Hits/misses reader Clive reckons this is the best post-mortem: Shadow Inc. CEO Iowa Interview: 'We Feel Really Terrible' . First off, don't feel terrible, just go away. Shovel snow, or get involved in a local recycling initiative. Make a pinball app. Just stay away from the future of democracy from now on. Then there's this doozy: An 'Off-the-Shelf, Skeleton Project': Experts Analyze the App That Broke Iowa. Tell me if this sounds like something that would go smoothly:

To properly login and submit results, caucus chairs had to enter a precinct ID number, a PIN code, and a two-factor identification code, each of which were six-digits long.

Then there's the IDP, which was warned not to use the app by at least one party, and went headlong into their own abyss. Fortunately, there are a few lessons we can extract. Such as this one from Greg Miller, co-founder of the Open Source Election Technology Institute, which warned the IDP not to use the app weeks ago:

Our message is that apps like this should be developed in the sunlight and part of an open bug bounty.

An ironic message for an app developer named Shadow...

Honorable mention

I got a terrifying college flashback when I saw this one: Note targeting 'selfish' bongo player at Glastonbury Tor demands he stops playing. This prankster brought us back to the future though: Berlin artist uses 99 phones to trick Google into traffic jam alert.

In my line of work, we joke about PR hacks over-achievers pogo sticks pros "circling back", as if a second blast will somehow polish the turd of a crummy pitch as it slinkers by - well, this takes the noxious act of circling back to another level: Family Gets 55,000 Duplicate Letters from Loan Company. But hey, it's not all crash-and-burn here:

I can't let this slide another week:

I think we all realize by now that "free" services are all about data hucksters gorging themselves on the sweet nectar of our personal lives selling us out to the highest bidder. But when an anti-virus company gets it on the action, surely the Idiocracy has been achieved: "To make matters worse, Avast seems to maintain a lukewarm stance on the issue."

I'd like to invite the Avast team to step into my fiery cauldron. The only thing that's lukewarm is your grasping business model and your mediocre adware, err, I mean, anti-virus protection. Just one question: who protects us from you? As for Liz:

I'm with ya, Ms. Miller. Hopefully this is the next best thing....

If you find an #ensw piece that qualifies for hits and misses - in a good or bad way - let me know in the comments as Clive (almost) always does. Most Enterprise hits and misses articles are selected from my curated @jonerpnewsfeed. 'myPOV' is borrowed with reluctant permission from the ubiquitous Ray Wang.

See more here:

Enterprise hits and misses - quantum gets real, Koch buys Infor, and Shadow's failed app gets lit up - Diginomica

The mysterious quantum realm, or at least a Hollywood version of it, made its way into pop culture via the recent superhero film, Ant-Man. The hero shrinks down to a subatomic level even smaller than atoms and encounters a bizarre world that warps space and time in unpredictable ways.

At such miniscule scales, the fundamental laws of physics simply break down. But scientists have found ways to store information in individual electrons, making quantum communications possible. Or, they can measure the positions of atoms in incredibly precise ways to design navigation systems.

Were working on a navigation system based on quantum physics, that will be so accurate that you dont need any more GPS, explains Marko Erman, the Global Chief Scientific Officer of French defence and aerospace giant, Thales. He shares the real-world potential of this mysterious, but exciting field.

Beyond the electrons

Quantum physics will shape Thales trajectory over the coming years, says Erman. At least two-thirds of their business will be impacted in some way by new quantum devices and systems in the next 5-10 years, he announced in November at the Saclay research and technology cluster in the south of Paris.

Quantum sensors, quantum communications and quantum computing are the three main areas of focus in Thales research collaborations with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Universit Paris-Saclay. It is theoretically possible to build sensors that are ten thousand times more accurate; develop new energy sources; and create ultra-secure communications.

When people built atomic clocks, they never thought about global positioning systems. They didnt make the connection, says Erman. He was referring to quantum positioning, which can determine the position of a moving object with an almost absolute precision. Imagine being able to navigate submarines or underground vehicles without a satellite connection. Its possible, below seawater, Erman continues.

This technology has potential in the air too. If the GPS is not working on a plane, the pilot would be able to land at the destination with an accuracy of up to 20 kilometres, based only on the onboard inertia system, according to Erman. With a quantum positioning system however, it can land with the precision of within a metre. And in the military, quantum sensors within radar systems could help pilots detect suspicious flying objects or drones much more accurately in crowded airspace.

There are also quantum applications in the medical field. Take cancer treatment, for example. Current therapies can be destructive towards healthy cells, and not very targeted. Quantum devices could turn this on its head, and allow doctors to zoom in on individual diseased cells. I think the next phase of bio science is personalisation and going down to the cellular level; this would not be possible without quantum devices, Erman explains.

The burgeoning quantum innovation space holds great potential to transform the world as we know it. Right now, it is not particularly constrained by much regulation, Erman notes. Unlike genetics or artificial intelligence, which have a lot of debate about the societal impact and ethics, quantum escapes from that.

Research in Asia

Besides its huge focus on quantum innovation, Thales is continuing to build on research in its traditional verticals. Singapore is Thales only Asia research hub, where the company works with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on space research such as nanosatellite technology.

The city was chosen as it is very dynamic, is very high tech oriented, according to Erman. Whats more, the government wants to push innovation and there are problems that are unique because of the size, the mission, he continues. Its an interesting place to be.

Singapore is also where you have land, air, sea, and you can basically address all aspects in one place, adds Herve Jarry, Chief Technical Officer of Thales Solutions Asia. I think also with the proximity of people, different agencies, it is quite easy to interact.

In September 2019, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has announced a S$30 million Joint Aviation Innovation Research Lab with Thales to build advanced air traffic management technologies. These are meant to augment air traffic controllers abilities in a stressful environment, Jarry explains.

Weve been doing some work for instance with the ATM Lab in NTU on the interactions with different sensors and heartbeat, ECG, and so on, Jarry continues. The work will also look at how to reduce the cognitive load on air traffic controllers so they can handle more objects, he adds. Other research areas in Singapore include artificial intelligence and digital identity, Jarry goes on to say.

In the lonely spaces between protons and neurons, there exists a strange quantum world which does not always make much sense. But what does make sense is how it can improve communication, health, transport, and more, in ways we cant fathom today. As Erman puts it: Its beyond imagination.

Excerpt from:

Is quantum innovation the future of tech? - GovInsider

Peter Wittek was announced missing on September 29. PHOTO COURTESY OF SRIRAM KRISHNAN/GOFUNDME

On February 3, the Rotman School of Management and the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) held a ceremony in honour of Assistant Professor Peter Wittek, who went missing in India in late September. Wittek was a leading expert in quantum machine learning, and his work at the CDL as a founding academic director sought to lead the charge in the commercialization of these technologies.

An avid mountaineer, Wittek was part of a six-person team that was attempting to summit Mount Trishul, a 7,120 metre-high peak in the Himalaya mountain range of India. On September 29, the Indian National Disaster Response Force received an SOS distress signal that originated from Witteks camp. Search and rescue operations were unsuccessful, and it is believed that Witteks camp was caught in an avalanche. His body has yet to be found.

In a statement to U of T News, Professor Ken Corts, Acting Dean of the Rotman School of Management, said that Peters loss is keenly felt. Wittek is remembered by Corts as an exceptional contributor to Rotman and U of T and a wonderful colleague.

Over a hundred U of T students, staff, and faculty, as well as members of the artificial intelligence (AI) community attended his ceremony on Monday. A number of speakers who were close to Wittek shared stories of his brilliance and generosity of spirit.

Witteks brother, Gergo Oberfrank, came from Hungary to attend the ceremony. He expressed the anguish that he and his family feel at the possibility that they will never find Witteks body. Oberfrank began his speech by saying goodbye to not only a brother for [him], but a father figure too. The two had an 11-year age difference, and Wittek was his biggest role model.

Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Multiverse Computing Samuel Mugel also spoke about looking up to Wittek, even before he met him. Mugel recounted his time starting out in the field of quantum computing, saying, What I found difficult was that I didnt really have many role models [that were both] entrepreneurs and scientists and this is really the position that Peter started to take for me because I saw him as someone that really managed to find the balance between an entrepreneurs career [while] simultaneously [pursuing] fundamental research.

CDL Founder Ajay Agrawal also marvelled at Witteks eagerness to pursue the entrepreneurial side of cutting-edge technologies. I knew that he was a scholar and he had tendencies as a theorist. And I know that theorists can be resistant to thinking about such crass things as commercialization, Agrawal remarked with a bit of wryness in his voice.

This seems to be the crux of what made Wittek such a consequential academic and caused his fame in the field of quantum machine learning to be so enduring. He was both interested in the way nature works, [and] in understanding the underlying science, but also interested in commercialization, noted Agrawal.

Wittek was not only influential for his work in the field as a whole, but also for providing critical advice and guidance to a number of budding researchers and entrepreneurs. Mugel noted that Wittek was the one who had encouraged him to apply for the CDL Quantum Stream.

I think there [are] an awful lot of people here who can tell you something similar that Peter turned up at a key turn in their life and with advice or a push in the right direction, helped us in these really difficult decisions. Multiverse Computing is now a cutting-edge provider of quantum computing and AI software for the financial industry.

Khalid Kurji, a senior venture manager at the CDL, spoke on behalf of the team behind the Quantum Machine Learning Stream, of which Wittek was a crucial part. Kurji spoke on Witteks cosmopolitan outlook, remarking that his teams aspirations to lead globally could only become a reality because our academic director [Wittek] considered the entire planet his neighbourhood and treated every single person as if they grew up next door to him.

To Kurji, Witteks defining characteristic was his generosity. He gave the full of himself of his enthusiasm and intellect into everything he did.

Agrawal also shared this sentiment, and, as evidence, pointed out the surprising number of students who have emailed to express their gratitude for having had Wittek in their lives. I think people have a need to tell somebody how much someone has touched their life, changed the trajectory of their life, Agrawal reflected.

Agrawal also shared the story of how he first met Wittek. After reading Witteks book, Quantum Machine Learning: What Quantum Computing Means to Data Mining, Agrawal sent him an email with a few questions. Very often when I send the author a question about their book, they either dont reply or if they do reply they might send a very quick one-sentence response.

On the screen behind him, Agrawal projected an image of Witteks response to his question. The email was too long to fit on a single slide, and had to be shown in two parts. He had received it 48 minutes after his initial email. Its remarkable how much you can tell about a person from the very first interaction, Agrawal noted.

Im an economist; I was not in his community. And I was surprised that he would take the time to send me such a thorough response and then ask me if I had more questions. And I thought, This is my kind of person.

Tags: memorial, missing, Peter Wittek

See more here:

Memorial ceremony held for Peter Wittek, U of T professor who went missing in India - Varsity

Here are a list of the best motivational & inspirational quotes about life and success that will help boost your confidence & uplift your spirit so you believe in yourself, stay positive, keep going, and never give up.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, student, athlete, parent, business person, fitness enthusiast, or just want to improve your life in some way, these super deep quotes and words of encouragement will motivate and inspire you to stay positive so you can become successful and achieve great things in your life.

On this page your will find 100 motivational quotes, lines, phrases, thoughts, and sayings (with images and pictures) that will touch upon success, strength, courage, confidence, happiness, money, goals, hard times, following your dreams, achievement, overcoming adversity, self esteem, positive thinking, fear of failure, hard work, meaning of life, purpose, passion, determination, discipline, focus, self empowerment, greatness, and more!

Tough times dont last. Tough people do. Robert H. Schuller

Keep going. Everything you need will come to you at the perfect time.

You have to be at your strongest when youre feeling at your weakest.

Never give up. Great things take time. Be patient.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. Confucius

You have to be at your strongest when youre feeling at your weakest.

Courage is one step ahead of fear. Coleman Young

If you feel like giving up, just look back on how far you are already.

Look in the mirror. Thats your competition.

Focus on your goal. Dont look in any direction but ahead.

Everything youve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. George Addair

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. Lance Armstrong

The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow. Unknown

We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. Kenji Miyazawa

A problem is a chance for you to do your best. Duke Ellington

Hard times dont create heroes. It is during the hard times when the hero within us is revealed. Bob Riley

Remember its just a bad day, not a bad life.

Whatever is worrying you right now, forget about it. Take a deep breath, stay positive and know that things will get better. Unknown

Its not about perfect. Its about effort. Jillian Michaels

Believe you can and youre halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt

Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.

You are so much more than what you are going through. John Tew

Passion first and everything will fall into place. Holly Holm

You dont gain anything from stressing. Remember that.

You have to be at your strongest when youre feeling at your weakest.

Difficult roads always lead to beautiful destinations. Zig Ziglar

Staying positive does not mean that things will turn out okay. Rather it is knowing that you will be okay no matter how things turn out. Unknown

Success is what happens after you have survived all of your disappointments.

Goals may give focus, but dreams give power. John Maxwell

Dont wish it were easier. Wish you were better. Jim Rohn

Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.

Hustle until you no longer have to introduce yourself.

Success is what happens after you have survived all of your disappointments.

You dont always get what you wish for. But you always get what you work for.

You dont find will power, you create it.

Once you choose hope, anythings possible. Christopher Reeve

Push yourself because no one else is going to do it.

You cannot fail at being yourself. Wayne Dyer

Dont wait for opportunity. Create it.

You are the only one who can limit your greatness. Unknown

The first and greatest victory is to conquer self. Plato

Results happen over time, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent, and be patient.

With confidence you have won before you have started. Marcus Garvey

Success is what comes after you stop making excuses. Luis Galarza

You dont want to look back and know you could have done better.

The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it. J.M. Barrie

Be so good they cant ignore you. Steve Martin

You will never always be motivated. You have to learn to be disciplined.

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. Norman Vincent Peale

When you know what you want, and want it bad enough, youll find a way to get it. Jim Rohn

The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do. Swati Sharma

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. Jim Rohn

Never stop trying. Never stop believing. Never give up. Your day will come. Unknown

Results happen over time, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent, and be patient. Unknown

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Confucius

Success is what happens after you have survived all of your disappointments. Unknown

Dont try to be perfect. Just try to be better than you were yesterday. Unknown

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe

Dont stop until youre proud.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. Mahatma Gandhi

Im not telling you it is going to be easy, Im telling you its going to be worth it. Art Williams

If you want it, youll find a way. If you dont, youll find an excuse.

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. Newt Gingrich

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Aristotle Onassis

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. Vince Lombardi

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated. Maya Angelou

Strength doesnt come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldnt. Rikki Rogers

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. Muhammad Ali

We dont develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. Barbara De Angelis

When you fear your struggles, your struggles consume you. When you face your struggles, you overcome them.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela

Keep going. Everything you need will come to you at the perfect time.

Set a goal so big that you cant achieve it until you grow into the person who can. Unknown

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney

The path to success is to take massive, determined action. Tony Robbins

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.

Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power. William James

If it doesnt challenge you, it wont change you.

The struggle youre in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Unknown

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Charles R. Swindoll

Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine. Roy T. Bennett

Strength is the product of struggle. You must do what others dont to achieve what others wont. Henry Rollins

Dont think about what might go wrong. Think about what might go right. Unknown

Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end. Roy T. Bennett

You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life. Unknown

Make the most of yourself.for that is all there is of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. E.E. Cummings

Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. Unknown

Dont let your fear decide your future. Shalane Flanagan

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

You were put on this Earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously. Steve Maraboli

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Dont downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny. John Assaraf

Dont be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart. Roy T. Bennett

Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how youre going to live your life. Joel Osteen

If you believe it will work out, youll see opportunities. If you believe it wont, you will see obstacles. Wayne Dyer

Link:
100 Inspirational Motivational Quotes For Success In Life (2020)

In Georgia Tech's previous outing against Louisville back on January 23rd, Moses Wright didn't have the most efficient outing against the Cardinals. And he knows it.

"Honestly I didn't think I played up to my standard against Louisville," the junior forward admitted. "I felt like there were a couple plays here and there that I could have done differently"

While he did end up finishing with 11 points, it was also coupled by committing 3 turnovers and matching his rebounding season low of 3. He credits a combination of effort and execution as to how he performed against the Cards, and he's vowing to flip the script come Wednesday.

'I'm going to give it my all against Louisville"

With reserve big man Evan Cole's status still listed as "questionable" vs. Louisville per Josh Pastner, they'll need all the effort they can get out of the 4 and 5 spots.

But it's not just against the Cards that he will have the motivation to reverse a prior performance. While the notion of a revenge game against Louisville would be appealing to most, Wright still has loftier goals once the final horn sounds on late Wednesday night.

"We're all playing for that postseason, because we still don't know what's going to happen," Wright said. "We're all still fighting. we're not going to just fold."

Given the circumstances that Tech finds themselves in, throwing in the towel would be a somewhat viable or acceptable option to many. Not only are they 2 games under .500 with just 7 regular season games to go, they also have the ominous NCAA cloud hanging over their heads as well.

This past offseason, the NCAA Committee on Infractions slapped Georgia Tech with a postseason ban for the 2020 season, among other penalties. Georgia Tech filed an appeal, and is eligible for the postseason while the appeals process is ongoing.

Despite the adversities they face, Wright and Co. remain as focused as ever and believe they should be a team to watch out for if they find themselves in the Big Dance or at least the NIT.

"I definitely think that if we get that postseason opportunity, we're definitely gonna make a run. There's not doubt in my mind about that," he said.

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top righthand corner of the page. Also be sure to like us on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook - @GeorgiaTechSI

Twitter - @GeorgiaTechSI and Matthew McGavic at @GeneralWasp

Excerpt from:
Moses Wright Not Lacking Any Motivation Ahead of Louisville Rematch - Sports Illustrated

The process of committing to a new habit rarely goes exactly as planned. Most of us will fluctuate in our motivation levels or face setbacks that can send us off track. And thats OK, as long as we recommit and keep going.

We asked our Thrive community to share the ways they rebuild their motivation when it begins to dwindle, and how they recommit to a habit when they fall off the wagon. Which of these tips will you try the next time you start to lose motivation?

Take a moment to reset

I hit the reset button to recommit. For me, this means going for a walk outside, calling a friend, journaling, taking a nap, drinking a glass of water, or doing a short meditation. The simple act of giving myself some breathing room allows me to shift my perspective and come back re-energized and recommitted.

Lisa Abramson, executive coach, Menlo Park, CA

Remember your original why

When I start to feel my motivation slipping away on a goal that Ive been focused on for a while, I stop and ask myself, Is this something I actually want? We often pick goals and put things on our vision board that we think we should want, so it helps to ask yourself if you truly want what you think you should be motivated about. This doesnt mean that you have to abandon the goal if your answer is no. Instead, I ask myself how I can tweak the goal so that I can renew my energy and excitement about it again.

Cassie MacKenzie, life coach, St Petersburg, FL

Acknowledge the progress youve already made

I rebuild motivation by looking for evidence of all the things Ive done so far. Even if Ive fallen off track, Ive usually made at least a little bit of positive movement toward my goal and sometimes a lot that didnt give myself credit for! Next, I recalibrate. I ask myself, Whats the next little step I could take?

Erin Davis, womens health coach, Orlando, FL

Try again

I am currently committing to a Microstep of decluttering my home for fifteen minutes each day. At first, if I skipped a day, I would try to make it up the following day by doing thirty minutes. But I realized that I would feel overwhelmed, and instead would skip the next day as well. Now, if I miss a day, I dont chase my losses. I just accept it, and start fresh the following day by setting my alarm fifteen minutes earlier so I get the decluttering done before work.

Donna West, coastal facilities manager, Perth, Australia

Reassess your timeline

When my motivation begins to dwindle, I find that its a good time for an honest reassessment of the habits that Ive set up to achieve my goal. I set a four-week weight loss goal, but felt that I was working out too often and wasnt eating enough, so I was very tired. I decided to stretch that goal to eight weeks instead, and I was much happier. I was able to reassess, pivot, and reach my goal.

Alisha C. Taylor, engineering program manager and coach, Greenville, SC

Create a concrete plan

To rebuild motivation, I separate the planning from the doing. I find that when I plan in advance and create a list that is truly executable, I dont need to rely on motivation or internal reserves. I just execute the list according to how Ive time-blocked it. We are more likely to be caught up in the moment of what we want to be doing versus what we should be doing.

Alexis Haselberger, time management and productivity coach, San Francisco, CA

Ask yourself if youd be OK with giving up

When I feel my motivation dwindling, I ask myself a simple question: Will I feel OK if I abandon this idea in my life? If the answer is yes, then I consider that I may be ready for a new direction. If I know that I will not feel OK letting it go, I realize that I have a deeper level of commitment. I have found this very empowering during times in my life when I have felt like giving up. Uncovering this deeper commitment has reignited my drive on countless occasions.

Elizabeth Bishop, educator and consultant, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tap into the after feeling

I try to work out in the morning, but I often find its easy to skip it because sleeping in seems so much better in the moment. I know I will be so much happier throughout the day if I just got up and worked out, so to get myself out of that unmotivated state, I try to tap into the feeling I get after just working out, and I immediately start feeling energy. As soon as I feel a glimpse of motivation, I sit up, drink some water to help get rid of the grogginess, and go.

Jon Vassallo, general manager and director of partnerships, Toronto, ON, Canada

Create a daily list

When my motivation begins to wither away, I know that it is time for me to take a look at the bigger picture. I will make a list first thing in the morning of what good I want to accomplish that day. I then look at how my work will help me obtain that goal. After writing those things down, I take a walk. I then repeat the exercise, but this time, I make a plan of action.

Danny Trifone, director of content, San Diego, CA

Reach out to a friend

To rebuild motivation when it starts to dwindle, I start by reaching out to my community. Its helpful to reach out to those that you love the ones that lift you up and support you in times of need. Helping and serving others is the greatest gift that we have. It gives us a sense of higher purpose, and the motivation to go on when we think we cannot.

Tara Laval, yoga and meditation instructor, Tampa, FL

Recite your go-to mantra

If I ever feel like I need a burst of inspiration, I recite mantras in my head to put myself into a better mindset. These might include phrases I have recently read that have resonated with me, or ones I have used for a long time. I have at least five that I often turn to, whether at work, in the gym, or when Im going to sleep. They help me stay focused and on track.

Jodie Cook, social media agency owner, Birmingham, UK

Talk to your fear

My motivation most often wavers when Im afraid. As the founder of a new social enterprise, Im constantly stretching myself past my comfort zone. Recognizing fear is often the hardest part, but it helps rebuild motivation. Tune into your belly full of butterflies, sweaty palms, tight heart and say, Its fear! I find it helpful to tell myself, I know youre trying to keep me safe, but you cant be running the show here. Move to the backseat. If you thought talking to fear like a friend was weird, just wait.

Shannon Mannon, founder of 3-Minute Storyteller, Phoenixville, PA

Identify why you veered off track

Rebuilding motivation when Ive fallen off track can definitely be difficult, but I find that it helps me to acknowledge how I got off track in the first place. If I can control the reason I was derailed, I try to reevaluate how I can commit to my goal. Most of the time, this requires me to put my goal on the calendar and commit to the steps that need to occur to get there. If I block out the time and set up digital reminders, Im more likely to stick to my schedule and feel prepared for the task at hand.

Kaleen Skersies, real estate development, Seattle, WA.

Remember how you felt when you first committed

I find the best way to get back on track is to revisit why I wanted this in the first place, and reflect on how good it felt when I was putting it into action. I journal a lot, and I find that reading my original motives for starting this new habit helps me to recommit and start taking action.

Heather Chapplain, sustainable style coach and designer, Toronto, Canada

Do you have a go-to tip that helps you recommit when you lose motivation? Share it with us in the comments!

Follow us here and subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving.

Stay up to date or catch-up on all our podcasts with Arianna Huffington here.

The rest is here:
Rebuilding Motivation: How to Get Back on Track and Reach Your Goals - Thrive Global

Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.

Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons one has to behave in a particular way. Its a critical component in our drive to achieve and the main element that enables all of us to reach our goals. Our mental energy is never static and just as our happiness waxes and wanes so too can our motivation. And keeping that energy on a high vibration is essential in accomplishing greatness.

We sat down with Sid Khattria, the CEO and Co-Founder of Vertoe, to discuss how he manages to stay motivated as he continues to grow his business. His company came out of Techstars a NYC accelerator in the winter of 2018 and has since grown to a leader in the short-term storage space with a presence in 50 major cities and over 600 locations and heres what hes learned.

Why is motivation important for an entrepreneur?

Creatinga successful business from scratch is arguably one of the hardest things you can do as a professional endeavor and unless you have a deeper motivation that aligns well with your passion, chances are that you will run out of steam and give up on your vision and dream midway. Entrepreneurship presents a series of non-stop challenges in life and way more failures, setbacks and rejection than youre used to and a deeper motivation helps you stay resilient and persisttowards your goals.

What are the types of entrepreneur motivations?

This is a deep question. I feel people have various motivations that make them take on entrepreneurship. To name a few, some love solving big problems, some want to create something they are passionate about, some are in it for the money and fame and some just do it to overcome their family and personal situation or as a combination of one or more of these factors. Personally, I love creating technology that helps as many people as possible along with securing a great future for my family and that drives me to come to work and stay motivated every day.

How do I sustain my motivation when starting a business?

You have to constantly remind yourself on why you started this business and not get bogged by day to day challenges you face and lose sight of the deeper reasons you decided to take the leap of faith as an entrepreneur.

What should I practice as a business owner in order to stay positive and on my path?

Personal well-being is key. You need to bake in little joys for yourself every day and every week and not get burnt out by the stress of running a business. This could be exercising every day, sleeping well, pursuing some hobbythats unrelated to your business a few times a week, traveling every few months. You should know how to disconnect and come back with a fresh mind.

What should I do if I run into a problem in order to protect my head space?

The best thing is to take a pause and not act in the heat of the moment. Its critical that you dont let emotions take over and can peacefully understand the problem and how best to solve it. Talking a short walk outside or sleeping on it for a day or two helps a lot as it clears your mind helps you disconnect, clear your mind and take better decisions. Practicing meditation also helps do the same.

What makes a great entrepreneur?

Great entrepreneurs have a vision that no one else saw and had the motivation to will that into reality. This is not just about the glory but the boring day to day grind to put in the hard work, intellect and a fantastic team to achieve your goal.

See the original post here:
How To Stay Motivated When Starting a Business - Thrive Global

Claim your complimentary free how to guide today, before the offer expires.

How to fix your motivation problems

Lack of motivation can crush you, literally cripple you from taking action. If youre sick of suffering from a lack of motivation, youre in luck, because youre about to learn the 8 major reasons why youre short on the motivational energy you need to successfully accomplish your goals And exactly how to fix each of them.

By the time youre done reading this, youll have the knowledge you need to unleash the motivational powerhouse within you.

Download today!

Complete and verifiable information is required in order to receive this offer. If you have previously made use of these free offers, you will not need to re-register. While supplies last! Please ensure you read the terms and conditions to claim this offer.

>> 8 Things That Cause Your Lack of Motivation (And How to Fix Them) - free how-to guide << Offered by Dan Bokhari, view their other free resources. Limited time offer.

That's OK, there are other free eBooks on offer you can check out here, but be aware that these are all time-limited offers. If you are uncomfortable sharing your details with a third-party sponsor, we understand. Or via our preferred partner:

How can I disable these posts? Click here.

Disclosure: A valid email address is required to fulfill your request. Complete and verifiable information is required in order to receive this offer. By submitting a request, your information is subject to TradePub.com's Privacy Policy.

Original post:
8 Things That Cause Your Lack of Motivation (And How to Fix Them) - free how-to guide - Neowin

June 1st, 2019 is a day that the Georgia Tech baseball program would unquestionably like to forget, but it is also one that is important to remember.

For shortstop Luke Waddell, it's a day that brings back memories that are both remarkable yet haunting at the same time.The 3rd ranked Yellow Jackets had been awarded NCAA Tournament hosting rights for the first time since 2011, and fans flocked to Russ Chandler Stadium en masse.

"Those crowds for that regional game, it just makes you want to get there." Waddell said.

To the dismay of the junior infielder and Yellow Jackets fans alike, the opportunity to advance beyond that opening weekend of the tournament slipped away from their grasp. Possessing a 5-2 lead over Auburn heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers mounted a 4 run rally, culminating with a 3-run walk-off home run from outfielder Stephen Williams to win the game 6-5.

The very next day, a 4-1 Auburn victory eliminated Georgia Tech from the NCAA Tournament.

While the home run to shift momentum in favor of Auburn was not given up by Waddell himself, he still bears personal responsibility. A routine ground ball to start the inning was bobbled by Waddell, with the error allowing the Tigers to begin their rally towards victory.

"I've thought about it a lot over the summer," he said.

Memories of the error add to a list of items that have motivated him ahead of the start of the 2020 season. A draft eligible sophomore, he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in round 32 of the 2019 MLB Draft, but opted to come back to The Flats for his junior season.

More notably, he also made the cut for the 2019 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during the offseason. His batting average of .320 was the third highest on the team, and it came against some of the best international collegiate players in the world. His time with the CNT also allowed him to further work on his leadership abilities

"It was a great experience," Waddell said. "I learned a lot from [Coach Dan McDonnell] about leadership. I want to try and bring some of that here as well."

If he didn't have enough of a fire underneath him, it was undoubtedly further amplified by head coach Danny Hall. Included in the workout plan for the first official day of practice last month was a picture of Stephen Williams about to complete his trip around the bases.

Hall said it struck a nerve with most guys on the team, and understandably so. As you can imagine, Waddell had a more profound reaction to seeing it than most others did.

"I see that picture and think It's a terrible picture". I hate that picture"

However the painful memories of that costly error and what transpired afterwards are quickly supplanted by more positive and reinforcing ones.

"But then I think about hosting that regional, and you want to host a regional again," he said.

One thing is certain. For better or for worse, the vocal defensive leader of the clubhouse is certainly not lacking any motivation to elevate the Yellow Jackets back into the national conversation. While he admittedly wants to take the process slowly and approach it from a game-by-game standpoint, he didn't shy away from stating their ultimate goal.

"Our goal is Omaha."

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top righthand corner of the page. Also be sure to like us on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook - @GeorgiaTechSI

Twitter - @GeorgiaTechSI and Matthew McGavic at @GeneralWasp

Read the original here:
Luke Waddell's Memories Of The Past Serve As Motivation For The Future - Sports Illustrated