Aaron Judge has had the best selling jersey in baseball for three straight seasons. Mike Trout is the most talented player most of us have ever seen. Juan Soto had a star-making World Series run with the Nationals. Baseball is flush with dynamic, exciting players, and yet the biggest star of them all may be budding in the Bronx.

Over the past two winters, Gerrit Cole has come into his own, both as a pitcher and a really famous one. His signing with the New York Yankees, the most recognizable and successful brand in North American sports, straps a rocket to his own brand and, in my view, catapults him into the conversation for the biggest superstar in the game.

There are a few qualities that go into making a star player, and the first is on-field performance. Cole has that in spades, redefining what a dominant pitcher looks like in this era of baseball. A sizable contract is more of a signal of a star than an inherent quality, but Coles got that too.

There also needs to be a certain chip on a guys shoulder, to engender the kind of emotional reaction fans need to rally behind, or in opposition to, a star player - Judge playing New York, New York in Boston during the ALDS or Juan Sotos shimmy in the box, that sort of thing. Cole made headlines after the World Series by sporting a Boras Corp hat rather than the conventional Astros cap, the exact type of flash that inspires praise and silly condemnation in response, a crucial element of stardom.

The last ingredient in a star is a certain level of self-awareness. Stars know theyre stars - its impossible to not be aware youre one of the absolute best at your job, or to not see your jersey worn by thousands at a stadium. Yet self-awareness is often the most difficult tool for a star to fashion; and often is the difference between stars and villains. Derek Jeter and David Ortiz were incredibly self-aware as players, while Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds werent. The differences in perception between these players, despite the villains being objectively better baseball players, boils down in a lot of ways to that level of self-awareness.

I think thats what struck me most about learning more about Gerrit Cole; he genuinely seems to understand himself as a person and how he fits in the wider spectrum of baseball. This is a guy who bet on himself by telegraphing he wouldnt sign after being drafted out of high school, who went to the Houston Astros with eyes and mind wide open to changing, and talks about the game in a way that few players do:

Coles helped out a lot by his particular role in baseball. Starting pitchers are often the main character of a baseball game, dominating the pregame conversations, the focus of almost every camera closeup, and a pitchers performance will often dictate how we talk about the results of a game. Position players may play every day, but as weve seen with Mike Trout, the best of them all may only touch the ball once a game. Great starters have always been a vehicle to drive the conversations around baseball, and Coles no exception.

I said before, both on these pages and in private, that acquiring Cole has been my favorite Yankee move in ages, even more than Giancarlo Stanton. Theres nobody better in the game right now, and nobody that better suits what the Yankees need. Theres also nobody better fitted to become the biggest star in baseball - Cole perfectly balances on-field dominance with the behavior fans gravitate toward. My expectations for him are sky-high, and I cant believe were so far from spring training.

See original here:
Gerrit Cole is poised to become baseballs biggest star with the Yankees - Pinstripe Alley

The "Couch Dance"

In Jagged Little Pill, she's a member of the incredibly dancy chorus, though she's featured prominently in Act II's "couch dance," in which Lang embodies Elizabeth Stanley's Mary Jane, a seemingly perfect Connecticut mother and wife, who's consumed by her addiction to prescription pills. In the scene, she overdoses on opioids in her home. That's when Lang appears from behind the couch wearing Mary Jane's same black pants and denim shirt. Set to Morissette's haunting "Uninvited," Lang's limp body slides along, around and off the couch, sometimes interacting with Mary Jane who is eventually found unconscious on the floor.

Lang, who's in her mid-30s, describes the movement as "liquid, falling, release" and "a full surrender." Her mastery of the scene becomes all the more impressive when you learn that she had a hip replacement nine month ago. "That sort of fluidity, and with my background, age and experience, it's where I feel most comfortable," says Lang. "The show's more hard-hitting and get-your-legs-up stuff, which I used to be so good at in my 20s, is harder."

Shape-Shifting Throughout the Show

How does she shift between such different modes of dancing, and tap into the headspace of Mary Jane, as well as another character, a teen named Bella who's dealing with sexual trauma? "I track both of those characters through the show. You'll notice little parts where I'm standing behind Mary Jane. That gives me information that then serves me later."

Lang also credits her study of acting for helping her to connect with a difficult emotion quickly. "That's a practice and something I've really worked on. There are little things that help me: The chord progression in 'Uninvited' is so damn spooky. Every night I hear that, I have imagery, an inner landscape going on. And the minute that I look at Mary Jane, I enter that space, like, 'Boom. I'm here.'

"That's what's so exciting about being a dancer. You're able to mold and meld like you're a shape-shifter. There's so much joy in that."

But now, Lang is a mother who plays a mother in the "couch dance." "Being a mom is so deeply profound," she says. "All I know is I want to give any character I play, but especially MJ, as much complexity as possible. Being a mom is so layered. It's beautiful, powerful, life-changing, challenging, grueling, not valued, sometimes disgusting, magical, ambivalent, boring, beyond fun. It's all the things!"

As for what's next in Lang's career, she says, "I try not to get too boxed in. We love labels in our culture, but I think most dancers are actually quite versatile. We have the capacity to do all kinds of things, and I have to be honest: I just love dance. I love performing."

She hopes to bring Cherkaoui and Paulus' spirit of rigor and generosity to her own work. "I want to continue to create that environment for others."

See original here:
This Dancer Is Training the Corporate World How to Move - Dance Magazine

Editor:

I like and admire Greta Thunberg. I'm also worried about her future.

Greta is a bright and well-spoken 16 year-old girl, with documented behavioral and cognitive challenges that register on the autism scale. She meets these disadvantages with dignity and self-awareness. I consider her a victor over adversity, and a champion for others like her.

So why should I worry about her? Because I see her being fed into what I call the "Celebrity Meatgrinder."

I don't know who's handling her, coaching her, or holding her out of school. I don't know who made the decision to send her on a 15-day, 3,500 nautical-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean through rough seas - in an open sailboat with no kitchen, shower or toilet - to attend a scientific conference and be feted like a Kardashian. I strongly suspect some people are profiting off her notoriety. Further, I doubt that her long-term interests are being served by people and groups promoting their political and/or showbiz agendas through her.

Few people - and fewer children - escape happy or whole from the "Celebrity Meatgrinder." We know how it works; they build you up, then tear you down. It starts with red carpets and magazine covers (she is now Time Magazine's 2019 "Person of the Year"), then ends with tabloids, court cases and "where are they now?"

Maybe I'm worrying over nothing. Perhaps young Greta, for all the hurdles she faces, really is the one calling the shots - a pint-sized cross between Svengali and Machiavelli. Maybe she's writing the speeches, managing the media, arranging the travel, setting up the press conferences and interviews, and leading the negotiations with book publishers.

Instead, I fear she is being used as a stage prop - a willing but perhaps too-trusting pawn in a dangerous game she may not fully understand. If so, I truly pity her manipulators.

If she wants it, I hope Greta Thunberg regains her chance to be a child, before she faces adulthood as a faded sideshow attraction.

David Christovich, Woodstock

Read the rest here:
Letter to the Editor: Concerning Greta Thunberg | Nvdaily | nvdaily.com - Northern Virginia Daily

Most believe that happiness is just a feeling you sometimes stumble upon if youre one of the lucky ones. But what if it were possible to actually unlock it and have it readily available to you by using specific keys to a happy life?

It turns out there are very specific things you can do to experience more happiness in your life. But before getting into the keys to a happy life, lets explore what happiness truly is and why its so important.

What is happiness?

Happiness is often thought of as any positive emotion.Words that people will often use to describe being happyinclude bliss, joy, gratitude, contentment, delight and enjoyment.

Yet these terms arent specific enough for happiness researchers because they want something they can measure.Researchers tend to define happiness as subjective well-being.And this means that the more satisfied people describe themselves as being along with the amount of positive emotion they experience, the greater their subjective well-being and the greater their happiness.

What this points out is that happiness is about much more than a fleeting or temporary emotion. Happiness is about the experience of more positive than negative emotions and an overall sense of satisfaction with your life.

Why being happy is important

It turns out that there are more benefits to happiness than just a general sense of feeling good.

There isscientific evidence to suggest that being happy may make you healthier.

It also suggests that youll be moresuccessful across multiple areas of your lifebesides your health. These areas include marriage, friendship, work performance, community involvement and mental health.

The same research even shows that happiness precedes many different types of success. In other words, we start to achieve more of our goals and find greater satisfaction in our lives when were happy.

Why your keys to a happy life will be uniquely yours

Whats interesting is that there isnt just one way to find happiness. Happiness, just like every other emotion is a personal experience.

Despite its personal nature, we can often recognize happiness in others just as they can recognize it in us.

The problem is there isnt a one-size-fits all formula for happiness. Thats because it is a subjective experience. What makes you happy may not make me happy.

For example, I love to find interesting bugs in my yard. Ill take pictures and watch how they behave. Im thrilled when I find one Ive not seen before. (Below is a picture of a rhinoceros beetle that I found on my back porch.)

Despite how much happiness I feel when I find an interesting bug, some of my friends arent so happy to see the pictures or hear the stories I tell about the creatures. (Maybe you dont like seeing the picture of the rhinoceros beetle either.)

Because we are all unique, what exactly brings us joy will be unique too. However, there are some similarities in what tends to bring people happiness.

What are some areas to examine to see if you can dial up your happiness?

The following seven categories capture some of the most common ways people report finding happiness.

1. Decide you want to be happyIt might sound silly, but sometimes simply deciding you want to be happy and then following that decision up with appropriate action can make you happy. It doesnt mean that youre flipping some kind of happiness switch by deciding to be happy. It does mean that youre paying attention to your thoughts and attitude. Happiness is easier to attain when you have a positive attitude and tend to be a glass half full kind of person. Its also easier when you can manage your emotions and thoughts so you can redirect them toward happiness when its appropriate. When you decide to be happy, youre taking responsibility for your happiness. Youre not letting someone else have control over whether youre feeling contentment or happiness, but if they contribute to it thats icing on the cake. Taking this responsibility on means that youre going to do whats necessary to experience more joy in your life. Youll look for ways to increase the pleasure you experience in each and every day.

2. Expect to be happyOur perceptions color everything about our experiences. Have you ever noticed that when you expect to have a bad day, you usually do? Well, the same thing happens when we expect to be happy. Positive expectations can help form our experiences into good ones. Of course, unexpected things can still happen, but when we choose to expect that well be happy we tend to gravitate toward happiness. One of the easiest ways to condition yourself to be happy is to look for joy in each day. It may be just a fleeting glimpse of a cloud that reminds you of a tree or a flower, but when you take the time every day to notice when you have a positive emotion, youll start building your expectation of happiness.

3. Be gratefulAn attitude of gratitude, practicing appreciation, and accepting what is can all influence how happy we feel.Research in positive psychologyhas verified that there is a positive association between being grateful and happiness. Part of focusing on gratitude means that youre not complaining orfocusing on worry without searching for the cause of the worryso you can resolve it. Being grateful doesnt mean that youre always on the lookout for something amazing to be thankful for. You can be thankful for the little things. You can be grateful for a good stretch, seeing someone you love smile or even just the feel of the sunlight on your face. Gratitude can also easily flow from everyday victories. Maybe you need to celebrate that you got the dishes washed or loaded in the dishwasher. Maybe its time for a high five with your puppy when they understand what Sit means. Maybe you deserve to celebrate the prospect of the day when you first open your eyes in the morning.

4. ForgiveMost get forgiveness and condoning poor behavior confused. Forgiveness is about letting go of an experience and choosing to move on from it. It is not about condoning or approving of poor behavior in any way. When we can forgive our shame, guilt, anger, resentment and any trauma we may have experienced, we tend to feel lighter and happier. Shame, guilt, anger, resentment, and trauma weigh us down and keep us from being our best. When we can accept and forgive ourselves and others for imperfection, we can be more present. And when were able to focus more on the present moment its easier to find the joy inherent in it.

5. Be ConnectedFeeling connected is empowering. And there are all kinds of ways to feel connected. You can feel connected to yourself, to others and even to the ineffable life force that flows through us all. Some call this sense of connection love. You also can feel connected to your purpose and passion. Most of us feel a great sense of contentment when were connected to our passion and purpose in life. You can achieve connectedness by increasing your self-awareness, practicing self-care, meditating, spending more time in nature and contributing to the world in some way. Eleanor Roosevelt said, Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Happiness can be found through actively choosing to connect.

6. Be YouIts nearly impossible to be happy when you dont allow yourself to be who you truly are. When you try to mold yourself into who someone else wants you to be, or who you think you should be youre disrespecting yourself. And its pretty hard to be happy when youre disrespecting yourself and pretending to be someone youre not. When we truly embrace our imperfections and unique perspective, we become confident. Confidence then allows us to more fully explore our world and our place in it. And the exploration allows us to expand our limits and be even more fully ourselves. Think of it as a confidence-happiness cycle. As we get to know ourselves even better, we feel more confident and experience more contentment. And the more easily we can recognize our keys to a happy life.

7. Share Your HappinessHave you ever noticed that it tends to be easier to match someones emotions instead ofbringing the joy with you? But what if you do choose to share your happiness even with a smile. Doesnt that make you happier too? Sharing your happiness is one fairly easy way to expand your happiness and that of those you encounter. You can share it through a great story, a hug, a kind word, or even a smile.

These seven paths to finding happiness are just the beginning. You may find your keys to a happy life within this list or just be inspired to search in another direction. Finding happiness requires action and you wont find your sustained sense of wellbeing without taking action.

What if it doesnt work?

However, finding happiness isnt always easy. Sometimes we have challenges that we need support to overcome. Sometimes that support and encouragement can come from family, friends or a life coach.

But if you find that you have difficulty finding or sustaining happiness no matter what you do, it might be a good idea to talk with a therapist. Therapists are trained to help people find the support they need to begin finding their keys to a happy life.

The good thing is that we all have the capacity to experience happiness as more than just a fleeting emotion. We just need to find our unique keys to unlocking our wellbeing and contentment.

Originally Published onDr.KarenFinn.com

Previously Published on Goodmenproject.com

See original here:
How To Discover Your Keys To A Happy Life - Thrive Global

Intermittent Fasting

One of the top diet search terms for 2019 was intermittent fasting.

"In the most basic terms, there are two main versions; time restricted eating (TRE), which is eating during only an 8-hour or 10-hour period or a 5:2 approach where women eat only 500 calories split between two meals, two times a week. Men get 600," said Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian and manager of wellness nutrition services at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Ohio.

"The benefits are expansive, including longer life, weight loss, and chronic disease risk reduction," she told Healthline.

Hunnes says other possible positives to intermittent fasting include benefits to the gastro-intestinal system by giving it time to rest and lowering inflammation throughout the body.

But fasting isn't appropriate for everyone.

"Intermittent fasting is not a good plan for pregnant women or those with certain health conditions such as diabetes," Wright said. "Additionally, one study found that intermittent fasting can harm heart health. Additionally, after losing weight with intermittent fasting, the body may gain back the weight more quickly because the body viewed fasting as starvation."

No Carbs, No Sugar

Earlier this year, singer Jennifer Lopez announced she was attempting a 10-day challenge of no carbohydrates and no sugar.

Days into her diet, Lopez encouraged her followers to join her.

However, experts say some carbs are necessary.

"Our brains depend on glucose derived from carbohydrates for healthy functioning as do our muscles," said Hunnes. "This type of diet is not healthy. Of course, limiting or avoiding sugar is healthy, but limiting all carbohydrates is not."

Wright agrees.

"Carbohydrates are critical for health. However, the problem for many people is the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed. Emphasizing complex carbohydrates such as whole grain pastas, rice, beans, vegetables, and fruit rather than simple sugars such as soda and candy is crucial," she said.

"Besides energy to fuel the body, carbohydrates also provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber," Wright added. "Carbohydrates are essential and should not be eliminated from the diet. Rather, choose healthy carbohydrates and control the portions. Excessive carbohydrates can add unwanted calories and cause high blood sugars for diabetics."

Wright suggests an appropriate carbohydrate portion would be half to one cup of pasta rather than an entire plate or one-third to two-thirds of a cup of rice rather than a whole bowl.

Keto Ultra Diet

Last year, the high fat, low carb Keto Diet topped Google's trending diet searches.

This year, a variation of the diet called "Keto Ultra," which includes supplements, made the top 10 most searched diets.

"The ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates and very high in fat, putting the body into ketosis the burning of fat instead of glucose for fuel," Wright said. "The Keto Diet has been shown to reduce weight because with any diet that restricts entire food groups, it's possible that reduced dietary variety leads to reduced calorie intake. A side effect of ketosis is decreased hunger, which also contributes to weight loss."

But the diet comes with risks.

"Because carbohydrate-containing foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are eliminated, a ketogenic diet can contribute to certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies and may negatively impact gut health," Wright said. "People following a ketogenic diet have also been shown to lose muscle mass, which is especially problematic for older adults."

Hunnes argues a keto-based diet is not healthy.

"I do not think this is a healthy choice since evolutionarily speaking, we thrive on glucose as our major energy source. A high-fat, high-protein diet is not healthy for us at all. I, in as strong of terms as possible, do not recommend a ketogenic diet," she said.

Both Wright and Hunnes note that the only people who could truly benefit from a keto-based diet are children who experience seizures and follow the diet under medical recommendations from their doctor.

"The ketogenic diet has been shown to successfully treat severe epilepsy in infants and children under medical supervision," Wright said.

The Sirtfood Diet

A diet popularized for its inclusion of dark chocolate and red wine was highly searched for in 2019.

The creators behind the Sirtfood Diet argue that "sirtfoods" can prevent disease and result in fat loss by activating a "skinny gene."

"The sirtfood diet includes foods that contain seven proteins shown to decrease inflammation. Sirtfoods include red wine, dark chocolate, kale, berries, and soy," Wright said.

Some of the other sirtfoods encouraged in this diet include strawberries, onions, blueberries, walnuts, coffee, and medjool dates.

But although the creators of the diet say eating such foods will activate a skinny gene, experts say there is no proof to back the claims.

"There is no evidence that the sirtfoods can turn on a skinny gene. The anti-inflammatory foods combined with calorie restrictions are more of the factors contributing to weight loss," Wright said.

Hunnes agrees.

"Anything that sounds too good to be true often is," she said.

New Year's Resolutions

As 2019 draws to a close and people begin making goals and resolutions for the new year, all of the experts who spoke with Healthline advise focusing on making sustainable lifestyle changes, rather than following extreme diets.

"Start before New Year's. Don't make that date an artificial time to start good habits and be aware that the best diet for you is the diet that you can stay on long term," Kirkpatrick said.

"Get away from the term diet and think of a lifestyle change that will support sustained success," Wright said. "Look at making small changes that will add up to a big impact. Look to something like the Mediterranean diet plan that is plant-forward with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean fish and meats, and uses healthful fats. Combined with activity, this is a plan that you can live with and achieve your health goals."

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How Easy Is It to Binge Drink During the Holidays? - EcoWatch

The past year has seen the University undergo profound change some of it planned and some of it completely unexpected.

The most-viewed Nevada Today news stories for 2019 reflect this theme over and over again. Eight of the top 10 most-viewed stories over the past year had something to do with or were related to an event that marked a change or transition in the life of the University.

An announcement by President Marc Johnson on Oct. 31 letting the campus know he would be transitioning to the faculty in July following more than eight years as the institutions 16th chief executive wasnt completely unexpected. In interviews since his announcement, Johnson said he had been talking with Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly as well as past Board of Regents chair Kevin Page and current chair Jason Geddes for more than a year about his wish to have his current contract be his last. The campus will now turn its collective attention in 2020 to the selection, following a national search, of Johnsons successor.

Far more unexpected was the explosion on July 5 that rocked Argenta Hall. The explosion severely damaged not only Argenta but Nye Hall as well. According to State Fire Marshal Bart Chambers report on the incident, an initial boiler explosion in Argenta occurred at about 12:42 p.m. during an inspection. A three-inch gas feeder was severed, which led to a 1 p.m. explosion that caused significant structural damage to Argenta and Nye Halls, injuring eight people. If not for the safety measures that were already in place, praised by Chambers as some of the best in the country, the Argenta explosion wouldve been far worse.

Still, in the days and weeks that followed, due in large part to the fact that the campus main dining facility inside Argenta was lost and more than 1,300 students were displaced by the explosion, the University began to experience a new normal of campus life. Temporary dining, in the form of Howler Village, was erected between the Pennington Student Achievement Center and Great Basin Hall. By early December, phase two of the interim dining plan, The Den, a 408-seat facility heated and cooled for comfort, had been erected between Thompson Hall and the Jot Travis Building, replacing Howler Village.

And in perhaps the biggest logistical undertaking of them all, the University in August completed an agreement with Eldorado Resorts to secure 1,300 beds in Circus Circus Renos West Tower for the students displaced by the Argenta explosion. The West Tower was renamed Wolf Pack Tower, and included a major commitment of resources by the University to ensure the Wolf Pack Tower students safety separate, non-gaming entrances and exits were established to the building; around-the-clock security was provided; all entrances and exits were staffed by University employees; a key-card system was utilized for entry; University Police Services provided routine patrols 24/7 and a substation presence. In addition, a regular bus shuttle service was made available for all students in Wolf Pack Tower.

Even with the disruption of normal campus routine in the days following the Argenta explosion, it was obvious that the campus was adjusting and looking forward to the future. At a press conference not long after the Argenta explosion, Provost Kevin Carman said as much when he was asked about the future of Argenta and Nye Halls.

We can restore them and will restore them, and thats the phase we are at, he said steadfastly.

It is estimated that Nye Hall could reopen by next summer. Argenta is slated to reopen in fall 2021.

In addition to the stories related to Johnsons presidential announcement and the Argenta explosion, two others in the 2019 Top 10 most viewed centered on the Wolf Packs nationally ranked mens basketball team, which rose to as high as No. 6 in the country. The Wolf Pack captured the national imagination because of its underdog status from the year before when it rushed to a surprise Sweet Sixteen berth, as well as the teams compelling storyline of an energetic coach and players whose personal stories spoke to struggle and redemption.

The Pack was coached by a former NBA coach who seemingly had run out of head coaching opportunities, Eric Musselman, who during his time heading the Pack program had made a rare and special connection with the student body and the community. Students who cheered for the Pack were considered part of the Muss Bus. Whenever the team won a big game, Musselman would often race to the student section for high-fives and hugs. The Packs players were predominantly made up of transfers from other schools who seemingly were at Nevada to prove their doubters wrong. Jordan Caroline was an undersized forward whose competitive engine was always revving and wouldnt let his team quit. Two of the Packs guards, Caleb and Cody Martin, were twin brothers raised by a single mother in near-poverty conditions in North Carolina. If that wasnt enough, the Martins volunteered at the SPCA and were on a student team in the College of Business prestigious Sontag Competition. There was a maturity, a sense of self-awareness to the team, whose starting five was completely made up of fifth-year seniors.

It all made for a 29-5 season that included a third straight Mountain West Conference Title but ended, sadly, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A few days later Eric Musselman left the University for the head coaching position at Arkansas. Musselmans four years at the University will never be forgotten. It was a herculean, around-the-clock effort by a coach whose obsession spilled into and energized the community while grabbing the attention of the entire country. Caleb and Cody Martin are now with the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.

Since then, the veteran Steve Alford was hired as Nevadas mens basketball coach. Like so many other events that occurred over the past year, Alfords hiring signaled yet another transition in a year full of significant changes at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Below is a list of the 20 most viewed stories on Nevada Today in 2019:

Read more from the original source:
Transition and change highlight most viewed stories of 2019 - Nevada Today

If you are (like us) a fan of both The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, then you'll be glad to know that a six-part series called The Goes Wrong Show begins tonight (December 23). That's six episodes of good old-fashioned physical theatrical humour, what more could you want?

Well, apparently the series will have shades of classic 2000s sitcom The Office, which made an art form out of milking the awkwardness out of every situation.

Speaking to Digital Spy and other outlets, Team Mischief's Charlie Russell and David Hearn stated that one Office star inspires a lot of their comedy.

Mischief Screen/Ben BlackallBBC

Shop Now Magic Goes Wrong tickets (various dates)

"So, you know The Office, right? One of my favourite actors in the world is Martin Freeman," Russell said.

"Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are hysterically funny, but what makes them even funnier is that look from Martin Freeman which tells you, 'Yeah, you're right. This is the same. I don't understand what is going on, and Im with you, the audience.'"

"I am Mischief's Martin Freeman. Oh my God, I would love that. I just meant like, what's quite nice about playing the straight man sometimes, you are often the audience's way into the joke. You're connected to them, a little.

"Sandra, the character, is based on my worst habits about being self-aware and self-conscious and worried worried about what people are thinking about her. But then I developed it into a slight vanity as well with her, which I don't think I have. So Sandra is really aware of the audience.

Mischief Screen/Ben BlackallBBC

"In our theatre show, she's often checking with the audience whether they've seen it, and how they're interacting with us.

"It's both her self-consciousness and self-awareness, but it's also looking to them for help sometimes or saying sorry or 'this wasn't me'."

The Goes Wrong Show's Christmas special, The Spirit of Christmas, airs on Monday, December 23 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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Originally posted here:
Goes Wrong Show star explains key way it's "the same" as The Office - digitalspy.com

You are probably more predictable than you think, and thats okayyou are not alone. We all have a tendency to think of ourselves as more complex, unique, and unpredictable than we actually are.

However, our childhood personality predicts pretty much every significant real-life outcome during adulthood, including happiness, relationship satisfaction, career success, and maladaptive behaviors. For example, gambling problems at the age of 30 can be predicted by poor childhood behaviors such as lack of self-control at the age of three.This doesnt mean that our fate is fully determined at childhood, but rather, that we tend to behave in pretty consistent ways from an early age.

These behaviors are the essence of who you are, how you differ from others, and what makes you you. No need to be ashamed of it.And yet most people seem to dislike the notion that they are predictable. Its yet another way we see how littleself-knowledge people tend to have.

For example, when you ask people about their personality, they will typically say that it really depends on the context or situation. Sometimes Im quite introverted, but other times Im a real extravert. However, when others think about them, they have no difficulties determining if they are introverted or extraverted. Most people will also tend to exaggerate how diverse and unpredictable are their tastes in music, food, and friends. We see ourselves as unpredictable free spirits equally capable of doing one thing or the exact opposite in any given situation, but that delusional fantasy is not shared by others.

It is also inconsistent with the facts: There is a repetitive pattern to our everyday behaviors. The main reason for this is that a sense of uniqueness tends to inflate our egos. It makes us feel creative, original, and interesting, and in our consumer society thissignals higher status and sophistication.

Scientific research has also linked the need for uniqueness to narcissistic tendenciesand alarmingly shows that the tendency to see ourselves as unique and special has been rising significantly during the last few decades, particularly among U.S. college students.

So yes, we are all unique, just like everybody else. Perhaps it is time to actually embrace predictability? In fact, psychological studies indicate that there are several disadvantages to being (and seeing yourself as) unpredictable.

First, people who think of themselves as more predictable and less complex tend to enjoy positive life events more.

Second, though a lot of organizations pretend to celebrate disruptors, creatives, and unpredictable personalities, the reality is that you are much more likely to get rewarded at work if you behave in more consistent and predictable manners. For instance, most people prefer to work for a boss who is predictable and consistent, to the point of being boring.

The reason is rather obvious: People want to avoid stress and anxiety in their everyday life, and few things are more stressful than an unpredictable boss. Bosses also prefer employees who deliver according to expectations, which involves operating within a well-defined model of talent or potential, with predefined behaviors.

Third, there are innumerable benefits to understanding your default patterns of behaviors and typical dispositions. The only way you can successfully plan ahead in any area of life is to have an idea of what you are likely to prefer, think, feel, or do in the future. If people learned to predict their own behavior better, no matter how good, bad, rational, or irrational such behaviors are, more poor decisions could be avoided.

The more unpredictable you think you are, the less effective you will be at influencing other people. The nave belief that you can control your reputation as you please and create whatever persona you like in order to make an impression on others, accounts for many disappointments in life, such as not getting a job interview or promotion, failing to impress an audience during a presentation, or not getting any likes on your social media posts.

Contrary to what you may think, others are generally better at predicting your own behavior than you are yourself. Numerous scientific studies have found that our colleagues are better able than we are to predict our job performance and career success.This also means that you can predict how well your work colleagues will do on their jobs better than they can.

Theres a simple reason for this too. When we think of ourselves, we pay too much attention to our thoughts and feelings and too little to our actual behavior. Of course, what we think and feel is important, but since most of our thoughts and feelings remain internal and invisible to others, a much better approach for understanding ourselves from the perspective of others is to focus instead on what we do and how those behaviors may be interpreted or perceived by others. In that sense, self-awareness is really about other-awareness: awareness of what other people think of you.

Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is an international authority in leadership assessment, people analytics, and talent management

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Why being predictable is actually a great thing according to science - Fast Company

The NBAs top executives still come to the G Leagues showcase event on a hunt, searching through the slow-footed big men, the undersized guards and the shooters to find the rare player who could someday make a difference on their teams.

The best teams in the NBA have players who were unearthed in the NBAs developmental league. The Lakers rely on three G League alums Danny Green, Quinn Cook and Alex Caruso.

That already difficult search has gotten tougher. The G Leagues best players are either valued draft picks or intriguing projects on two-way deals with NBA teams, allowed to spend up to 45 days with the club. Its a result of the NBAs growth with all but two teams operating their own G League organization and increased integration between basketballs big leagues and its minors.

NBA teams have discovered that finding players who can help is only a fraction of what the G League can do. As franchises are learning, they can use the G League to develop everyone.

The Clippers in-arena host, Hannah Cormier, worked in the G League. The Lakers trainer, Nina Hsieh? G League too. From referees to general managers to head coaches, from public relations staffers to sales executives and marketing managers, teams are using the G League to enrich every department.

This has always been a place for development and growth, " G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. And as the league has grown and different parts of our business have grown ... and as our NBA teams and G League teams have integrated, the real learning and opportunities to develop are across the organization. You can get called up in a variety of different ways. That story doesnt get told often, but thats a big part of who we are as a league.

One person in Las Vegas who eventually could get called up is South Bay Lakers coach Coby Karl.

Hes just a really good coach, one NBA general manager said.

But knowing how to coach and how to be a head coach are two different things. Karl has become keenly aware of that during his three seasons running the bench for the Lakers G League team. Hes had to learn how to delegate, how to manage practice schedules and how to disseminate information from scouting reports.

Theres no real right way to do it, Karl said. Its just preference.

Hes been able to discover his preferences without the burden of pressures and personalities of the NBA. Take his belief in meditation, for instance.

Karl, the son of former NBA coach George Karl, picked up on the practice from one of his mentors Hall of Famer Phil Jackson. Someone with Karls pedigree a professional player in the NBA and leagues all over the world, the son of a legendary coach certainly would attract top-level attention. But working in the NBA wouldnt allow him to fully embrace all the things he wants to do.

Its obviously easier here, he said. This is the first year Ive led meditations with our group. I tried it last year with a recording. Its something I learned as a player from Phil. Its part of my life. Thats something I do in my daily life. To me, its been a very valuable tool in my life, that if I had practiced earlier, I wouldve begun to understand myself much better. Thats my goal, to try and help these guys build self-awareness.

I dont think I would have the courage to do it walking into a room with LeBron or AD or whatever first job Id get. Its something I always thought was valuable, but its obviously taken me four years to get to try it on this level.

More than anything, the NBA has turned the G League into a laboratory for ideas. Sunday, theyll play the finals of an in-season tournament with a $100,000 prize for the winning team something that almost undoubtedly will be part of the NBA schedule in the next few years.

The atmosphere of the league has allowed Karl to experiment more, implementing something he saw in last years NBA playoffs when Toronto coach Nick Nurse, a former developmental league championship coach, used some defensive strategies that traditionalists would dismiss as gimmicky.

Its something Karl discussed recently via text with Sacramento coach Luke Walton, who also got his coaching start in the G League.

We get to try things without the media pressure, without the billion-dollar organization on your back, Karl said.

Organizations also use the G League as a place to promote people. The Clippers G League coach, Brian Adams, was on the teams bench as a video coordinator before being sent up to coach the G League team in Ontario.

Its not easy. The travel is worse, the salaries are lower, the arenas are emptier and the attention is sparse. But the smartest teams know that the developmental league isnt just about finding the next Spencer Dinwiddie or Khris Middleton. Players can be longshots.

Developing people who will make an impact in your organization? Thats a much safer bet.

At times, I look at other positions and other opportunities and say, Why not me? Karl said. But I think Ive reached the point where I understand that this is an investment. And I truly love that I have it.

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The G League is sending more than players to the NBA - Los Angeles Times

It takes the lucky convergence of opportunity and ambition to create success. Successful business owners, regardless of industry, share a few critical traits that set them apart from the rest of society. Leveraging these skills allows them to turn their business ideas into profitable realities.

Even more so for entrepreneurs who are just starting out, success depends on a firm conviction in their own abilities and clear knowledge of what it takes to start and run your own business. To help those newly self-made people, 13 contributors to Forbes Coaches Council share some of the key traits and characteristics that they consider essential for a successful business owner to attain success.

Forbes Coaches Council members say you'll need these traits and skills if you want to succeed as a business owner.

1. Courage And A Village

Courage, passion, hard work and a community are what it takes to start and run your own business. Courage will get you to start and climb the steep learning curves you will encounter, and passion will attract others in your community to join the mission. Every entrepreneur I have ever worked with has devoted an enormity of hard work to get the business off the ground and find mentors who can help. - Russ Watts, The Watts Group

2. A Strong Vision

There are many traits that are needed to run a business successfully, including leadership, taking risks and having people skills. Being a visionary, however, supersedes them all. Running a business requires being on the cutting edge of where your industry is going, anticipating the needs of your customers and conveying a strong enough vision that a team would want to help you execute it. - Tamiko Cuellar, Pursue Your Purpose LLC

3. Persuasion And Hustle

To be successful in any business, you need to be able to convince others (clients and staff) that your idea is worthy of their support (time, talent and/or treasure). Can you convince enough people to buy your product and enough staff to align with you? It takes a tremendous amount of energy to launch, and the ultimate test will be your willingness to relentlessly hustle your assets. - Carl Gould, 7 Stage Advisors

4. Confidence And Tenacity

To take a business idea into action, it takes bold confidence and tenacity. If you believe you can do it, then you can. But more than anything, you need to be prepared for a marathon and be ready to build your endurance along the way with unwavering tenacity. Game on, champs! - Izabela Lundberg, Legacy Leaders Institute

5. Willingness To Sacrifice

Entrepreneurship by nature requires sacrifices both in your personal and business life: be it sacrificing personal time to learn a new skill to help the business or the willingness to terminate a friend that was not a fit for said business. Hence, if there is little to no willingness to be flexible enough to sacrifice, starting a business should not be an option. - Kamyar Shah, World Consulting Group

6. Willingness To Be A Great Leader

Embody leadership: the ability to cast a vision, but also create a plan to drive and execute; the relentless desire to grow yourself and those around you; the commitment to do the hard work rather than thinking this is a shortcut to freedom and independence; have the backbone, grit and confidence to keep running when you are tired; and the willingness to see people and share and celebrate wins with the team. - Christy Geiger MCC, CPCC, Synergy Strategies Coaching & Training

7. An Understanding Of Yourself

We all have certain areas where what I call our "heroic potential" thrives, and that area will not be everywhere. If you try to be the best at all things, you will lose in business because people are not designed to work alone! Prove to others where your best talents lie, and be decent at everything else until you can get help (hires, consultant, coach, etc.). You win on your strengths, not weaknesses. - Cody Dakota Wooten, The Leadership Guide

8. Cognitive Leadership

Vulnerability, self-awareness, curiosity, humility, great courage, discipline, adaptability and thoughtful communicationsthese are just a few skills and characteristics needed to be the boss and run a business. They come and go at different times and sometimes are in unison. A leader is never able to do it all and must come from a confident place of vision and values to realize success. - Lori Harris, Harris Whitesell Consulting

9. Resilience

Resilience, which is a combination of hardiness, resourcefulness and optimism, is a required trait to effectively start and run a business. Being able to bounce back when people reject your ideas, handle the stress of having your career and livelihood on the line and the slow progress that comes with building a business make resilience key to both starting and sustaining your success as an entrepreneur. - Loren Margolis, Training & Leadership Success LLC

10. Motivation And Accountability

Good idea or not, the only way to know if you have what it takes is to do what it takes. You gotta try. You will never know unless you do. That said, I recommend "having" motivation (vision, strategy, tactics, mindset) and accountability (integrity and task/self management). With the skills, characteristics (habits and standards) of "motivation and accountability," you expand self and inspire others. - Jeff Klubeck, Get A Klu, Inc.

11. Gut Intelligence

Oftentimes people will start a business because they have a passion or skill in a certain industry. This is a good start. However, to be a successful business owner or boss, one must have gut intelligence. Gut intelligence is the wisdom to know the truth and the guts to do something about it! When business leaders and owners have high gut intelligence, they notice cues early on and resolve them. - Susan K. Wehrley, BIZremedies

12. Aptitude, Attitude And Altitude

You need three key attributes that can be described as mindsets, skill sets and tool sets to start, build and thrive in your own business. Mindsets are very often the aptitude or inborn personality traits that make you an entrepreneur and great leader. Skill sets are the acquired skills and attitudes that will enhance your aptitude. Tool sets are essential to actualize your vision into reality. - Jacob M. Engel, Yeda LLC

13. A Strong Risk Profile

Lots of people have interesting or novel ideas for a business. Rarely does the idea fail. Instead, the people do. You know your idea is a good one, and you know you have talent and ambition. Great start! Now, do you hold the risk profile to run your own gig? Nothing fails faster than a level three risk profile (on a scale of 10) who is attempting to act like a seven. Take the risk consistent with your profile. - John Hittler, Evoking Genius

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13 Essential Skills And Traits Of Successful Business Owners - Forbes