Coach Frank Sagasta

Education - Leadership - Philosophy - Positive Psychology - Life-Skills

Saturday, September 29, 2018

THE REAL TOP


As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." I love diving into a good to great book each day.  It opens up new doors for me, my family, and for my scholars.  Exposure to information can and will change the situation.  That's right. The circumstances or conditions of life can change when you embrace them with a great books.  It opens up the new conversation.  It opens up the new vocabulary. It opens up the new intellectual person.  

So, why do we do the things we do in life today?  And what is it that drives our behaviors?  Well, many psychologists have proposed some different ways of thinking about motivation, including one method that involves the outside (extrinsic) and (intrinsic) the individual. 

SO, WHAT IS INTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

When you have intrinsically motivated your behavior is motivated by your internal desire to do something for personal fulfillment, enjoyment, activity, or the desire to learn a skill because you are eager to learn.  Okay. . . some examples of this are; reading a good. Reading a great or extraordinary book that opens the door of great opportunities.  Another example is to exercise our body and spirit. And lastly, cleaning or organizing our home, class, or office.

SO, WHAT IS EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

When you are extrinsically motivated, your behavior is motivated outwardly or external factors. And these push toward losing weight or finishing a book or article for a quiz or test. Thus saying it is for some type of reward or earning.

In fact, schools are of particular interest when it comes to intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, particularly because of the different outcomes that research have shown to result from intrinsic motivation: more interest, excitement, confidence, enhanced performance, persistence, creativity, self-esteem, general well-being, and balance (In Ryan and Deci, 2000: Deci and Ryan, 1991; Sheldon, Ryan, Rawsthorne, IIardi 1997; Deci and Ryan, 1995; Ryan, Deci and Grolnick, 1995). Over the past five years, I have tested and probed myself toward winning the day. . . all 365 of them! And I cannot wait to rewrite these words and say; "I have been writing and reading two-three hours a day for the past thirty-five years and there's still more to learn." Over the past five years, I have read and heard several theorists, researchers, and doctors offend the God given ability to achieve more than what was expected from the fashion of others.

The phenomenon of achievement is truly a choice and practice of great habits. After more than a few years, they have become the habit to which is congruent to the purpose. I went from extrinsically motivated, to intrinsically motivated forever. . . no excuse and no compromising. And all because of the benefits behind it! Of course, this is not to suggest that extrinsic motivation is bad or not good. It too, has a purpose but what happens when it runs out? People tend to drop out or quit, right? Well, that's because they really didn't want to commit or embrace the change. I believe it was Dr. Anders Ericsson who brought up the subject of the 10,000 rule. Dr. Ericsson Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida State. He spent some time studying what it takes to be the best in your lane. He spoke about what skills and abilities you need to dominate music, chess, medicine, sports, mechanics, and yes even learning all in 10,000-hours. 

In fact, this subject has been mentioned in several books over the years, some have been misinterpreted in my professional opinion. The first was by Malcolm Gladwell. No disrespect, but he and others clearly didn't give enough data to prove that Dr. Ericsson was wrong. Therefore, if you truly want to make genuine change within your personal or professional life tomorrow starts today. I'll give you some tips that helped me and other great mentors within my life. I hope you enjoy and share them with someone you care about. 

1) Follow the 80/20 Rule
20% of what you do will produce 80% of what you truly want. 

2) Learn from failure 
Never give up on the person you truly want to be in life. There are no shortcuts in succeeding or achievement. 

3) Focus on quality and authenticity
If you stay faith-based you won't lose and it will help in staying authentic. 

4) A challenge today, an opportunity tomorrow
Remember, with every seed of difficulty is a seed of opportunity. No one ever wrote a book saying; life would be perfect. 

5) Greatness starts with your environment
Never allow your mind or heart to be fashioned by others, you are the author of your environment. So, surround yourself with greatness.  

6) Live health 
Make it a habit to eat right and get plenty of exercises for a healthy tomorrow. 

7) Hardwork Morning
Benjamin Franklin once wrote; "early to bed and early to rise, makes a healthy wealthy, and wise." Therefore, try to complete your most important task or note first thing in the morning.   


I saw a study two years ago about 300 participants who died all at the average of 89. They discovered that those who were engaging in mental activities such as reading, puzzels, and memory card games all declined from the patients that died. The rate of decline of those that trained their minds and hearts was 48% faster than those who didn't. Please, remember your brain and heart require exercise to keep it strong and healthy, just like those muscles within the body.


Regards, 



Coach Frank Sagasta 

Saturday, September 1, 2018

The Shortest Walk



- THE SHORTEST WALK -



It was August 23rd, 2018 which perhaps was the hardest day for Sarah and me. We had spent forty-seven minutes with our firstborn son, who was now leaving for the United State Navy. This was an awe moment, but also a moment of reflection in happiness. I believe Nelson Mandela said it best; "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires." 

HAPPINESS 

"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude"
- Dale Carnegie


All men and women, brother and sister wish to live in peace and happiness but have lost their vision. People wish to live happily but are dull at perceiving exactly what truly makes them happy today for tomorrow. Unfortunately, this notion of being happy is quite easy to attain for the committed, sacrifice, and patient but the more eager mankind struggles to reach it the further they depart from its path. Ever road or path leads somewhere, but the decision to make the right one can take some time. I am sure you are aware that time is the great commodity of value today. Therefore, we must all first redefine the clear aim of what we truly want to achieve in life that can bring happiness. It is the first and most fundamental responsibility for all humans being is to become a joyous people. To be happy is the ultimate aspect of life. It is the fundamental foundation of life. If you are not happy, what else can you be in life? As I expressed with Isaac, whatever you do in life through the Navy give your best in your inner quality. Whether you like it or not, that is where you'll see happiness and reality. The tremendous value of life comes from that spot. So, if you are concerned about the world around you, the first thing you must do is transform the person in you into a joyous person. 

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THE PATH

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a tail" 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson



Sarah and I were nerves, but we recognize Isaacs inner drive and discipline to make something more of himself. He has a clear vision and he's chosen the right path to take him toward happiness. Of course, some will disagree with the military. And yes, the U.S. military has short faults, but incredibly it is the best teacher of success. The difficulty often lies in recognizing these lesson or principles and the crossover of values they all offer. I didn't receive those while in college. I had to learn them from the "University of Hardknocks" both day and night classes, lots of laughs. I believe so many of us go through our careers viewing them as something distinctly separate from our personal lives. This happens to be a total waste because there is so much value in the experience and lesson we are learning from, but to many lose focus and they shut the door to these opportunities. These eighteen years with my son have come and gone at an incredible speed. They will for you too, regardless of whether you choose to serve in the military, college, or career. You must redefine the aim of happiness and redefine the path you take. 

KNOWLEDGE 

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge"
- Albert Einstein


When Isaac and I took to the street for our walk. I did most of the talking. . . yes, some tears fall from my face as the sun began to rise from the east. My hope was that the right words would formulate while the sun rose. To send him to be on his journey in life. I expressed my deepest love to my son and the transient feeling of love that he'll always have from his mother and me. It was a great time of talking principles and experience. I asked him if there were two things you could take back, what would they be? and why? He said; "I would take back my junior high and two years of high school where I didn't give a crap. And how I treated my girlfriend " Those words will always serenade within my heart and mind. Isaac knew that if he gave his absolute best in each course, I would help him to find a great college and to find the best career fitting for him. Of course, life seems to change the direction for many people. My son's path was military, Isaac began to express his gratitude for the discipline I shared with him. And the lessons of success, happiness, and marriage. The last thing I share with my son was the notion that a lot of successful people didn't receive a great education. Some were self-educated and it continued till they passed this life to the next life. I said; "Isaac, that doesn't mean that you can be successful without studying. As you know that's why I get up at 3 A.M. to receive the knowledge they didn't give me in college. Learn all you can, take away every stone of knowledge. Remember, every stone of knowledge you gain is a weapon in life.

THE TOOLS 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"
- Winston Churchill 


As the flowers blossom and the sun drops down the rays of sunshine. That is what you mean to me my son. Everything is in order and God knows that order because he's the creator of all things. The whole cosmos and galaxies are far from our own comprehension, but love beyond degree is much more enjoyable to understand and to give. To all children that leave home. I hope that you've found your purpose long before you walk out the door and you've gained much of the tools needed to be happy and successful in life. It is a much-needed requirement to make it today for tomorrow. Suffering is happening essentially because people have lost sight and the tools to make it, most human being have lost their perspective as to what this life is truly about. Their psychological process has become fogged up with existential distractions. I expressed with Isaac as I am with you to stay focused on the aim of your achievements and to bring happiness with you everywhere you go today for tomorrow. Never allow the opinions of others to distract you or to pave the path of your destiny. Remember, the thought in your head travels to your heart and back to your head. The emotions within start to turn and those feelings will determine the nature of your experience wherever you go. So, keep your mind clear from distractions. I know you'll face some challenges on this journey. Therefore, set up the best support group, as my son has here in our home. We must all find them because there're people that still do love helping others. 

Here are some tools to help you find those people. They must be people of strong character in qualities and value. They must show compassion. They must be honest. They must display self-discipline. They must have their own goals. They must attain good judgment, courage, faith, love, knowledge, and responsibility. I leave you with this quote from an excellent teacher and hero in my house. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' 




Best, 





Coach Frank Sagasta 
coachingbeyond5@gmail.com






(c) Coachingbeyond, LLC



  





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