All posts filed under: Defeating Average

The Lifelong Learning Marathon: Embracing the Journey of Personal Growth

Published by Colin Nanka

Just like a marathon, lifelong learning is a continuous journey filled with ups and downs, requiring persistence, commitment, and a growth-oriented mindset. In today’s fast-paced world, embracing lifelong learning is not only beneficial, but necessary to thrive and adapt to new challenges.   The Lifelong Learning Marathon   A marathon is a test of endurance, discipline, and mental strength, spanning 26.2 miles that push runners to their limits. Similarly, lifelong learning is the commitment to acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout our lives, constantly pushing our boundaries to grow. In the marathon of life, we’re all runners charting our unique paths, setting our pace, and overcoming obstacles along the way.   The Science Behind Lifelong Learning   Research has consistently shown the benefits of lifelong learning. A study by the World Economic Forum found that individuals who embrace lifelong learning are 44% more likely to maintain a sense of purpose and adapt to new challenges. Learning keeps our minds sharp, fosters creativity, and enhances our adaptability in a rapidly changing world.   Embracing the Marathon …

Opportunities are multiplied when seized 

Published by Colin Nanka

You often hear “crisis creates opportunity” or don’t waste a good crisis. Like an iceberg, what you see above the water line is the initial opportunity, and as the first one to put up your hand, as you invest in solving the problem, the chunk under the ice reveals itself as the long term opportunity. Being the first one on the ship to survey the ice, gives you the opportunity to multiply the size of the impact and reward. Defeating Average. Colin

Children are listening…are you?

Published by Colin Nanka

I was listening to my meditation last weekend when my daughter asked, “can we listen to one of mine.” We started six months ago listening to some children’’s meditations on the Calm app, including Poppy the Troll, Thomas the Train and others. They are four minutes long. The one she loves the most is “Gratitude Scrapbook.” We listen for a couple minutes and then she will tell me to pause it so she can share what she is grateful for, and then I do the same. Tess’s are simple: I am grateful when Daddy plays with me I am grateful for my friend William I am grateful for mommy reading me books I am grateful for ice-cream (aren’t we all) It’s a reminder of what it’s all for. Connection, friendship, love, learning and snacks. Children have a lot to teach us, if we are listening. Have a great weekend. Colin

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Published by Colin Nanka

There is an old parable that uncovers how I have felt over the last couple years, and maybe you too.  The conversation is between a grandfather and his grandson and does like this: “I have a fight going on in me,” the old man said. “It’s taking place between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” The grandfather looked at the grandson and went on. “The other embodies positive emotions. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. Both wolves are fighting to the death. The same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too.” The grandson took a moment to reflect on this. At last, he looked up at his grandfather and asked, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee gave a simple reply. “The one you feed.” This parable serves as a powerful reminder of the fight that every human being must face. Regardless of …

Honey Makes Me Wiggle

Published by Colin Nanka

I was making a lunch snack for my daughter this morning and I asked her the typical question. Would you like almond butter and honey or almond butter and jam? She shook her head and came over and pointed at the honey. Almond butter and honey I said.  She shook her head no, “just honey.” Why, I said? “I don’t like Almond Butter.” But you have always liked Almond Butter I said. “I just want honey. Honey makes me wiggle.” Fair enough! As I am learning, things change often with kids. What was true one week is not true the next. What worked yesterday, may not work tomorrow. Accepting that as true with my daughter makes life easier.  I am focused on staying a little curious a little longer and treating each day with a beginner’s mind.   Defeating Average.   Colin

Chosen Family

Published by Colin Nanka

We were at a NYC afternoon get together for friends that support the arts and formed a non profit during the pandemic. It was my wife’s group and I was tagging along to keep our 3 year old Tess amused.  It was a beautiful brownstone with a big wall of books all the way along one side and brick on the other.  My goal was to keep Tess from disturbing the adults and make sure my wife could have a good time. I’m on the introverted side by nature and pull myself across to the extrovert side for work and get-togethers. It takes (and uses up my energy) to build small talk with groups of people.  After a number of puzzle games and Tess and I grazing on snacks, I picked her up and brought her into some conversations. She’s a natural connector! I found myself getting re-acquainted with small talk and finding out how people spend their work weeks and what brought them together as a group. Good people, wanting to give back to …

The Right Trail

Published by Colin Nanka

I spent the last week hiking 100 miles through Death Valley with my running Mentor Ray Zahab and 4 other hikers and a support guide.    “Keeping on the same trail with easy terrain can seem like the right way, but you need to have the courage to follow your way points, what you know is true and take on tougher terrain to prioritize safety, hydration and success. Committing to the wrong path can be deadly.”   Ray crossed the Canadian Arctic three times, the landmass of Antarctica and ran 4,500 miles across the Sahara Desert in 100 days in 2009, which was turned into a film “Running the Sahara” narrated by Matt Damon. In 2011, 2014 and 2018 he crossed Death Valley North to South and East to West at the hottest time of the year, in July. Death Valley is the lowest altitude on earth, down to 250 feet below sea level and has been measured as the hottest place on earth. Earlier this year 134 F!   Ray is the only person …

I visualized being at the top for three years 

Published by Colin Nanka

“I visualized being at the top of Everest for three years until I was.” Ricky Singh (Indian / American Entrepreneur) We sat around the dinner table talking about our first day on the expedition and someone ask Ricky “we heard you climbed Everest in 2019, tell us about the experience.” He said “I climbed for 6 weeks every spring in Nepal with the team I assembled over three years. We practiced our skills and build trust constantly. When back in the US I spent a little time each night visualizing success. I saw myself at the top. I saw through any obstacles. Skills will only get you so far in Everest. You need belief in yourself, confidence you can handle anything that comes your way.” As we hiked Death Valley this week he got me thinking about my values. Trust, learning, exploration. Trust and learning have always been my top two. For me part of exploration is courage. Ricky exemplifies courage and learning. To be different, think differently, challenge boundaries. He was one of the most curious …

Welcome Unanticipated Problems

Published by Colin Nanka

“Anticipate and welcome the unanticipated problems and permit an exercise into transcendence vs. tragedy. Take out the negative energy and turn it into action.”   I have been listening to Ken Burns interviews as he prepares to launch his PBS 4 part series on Muhammad Ali!  I can’t wait.   From a legendary documentary filmmaker, words of wisdom on how he prepares for films for life.   Defeating Average.   Colin

Are you a leader of tomorrow?

Published by Colin Nanka

What is life?    What’s it for?   There is a lot of ambiguity in the world right now. We are coming out of lock down. Life is getting back to normal. There is a new virus variant, we may be retracting, putting more strict measures back in place?   One thing is certain. Nothing is certain right now.   How does that make you feel?   Uneasy, confused, despondent.   I think we have all felt these emotions. I certainly have.   We are entering a new uncertain future.   The leaders of tomorrow (and this includes leading yourself and your family), are people who can adapt, pivot, grow, learn.   Attitude can lead you through ambiguity. Recovery for mind and body can lead you to the right results. Living (and showing others how) through your values leads to victory. Understanding and empathy helps lead you over the mountain pass of uncertainty.   We are all in it together. Help one another.   I will be on PTO for the rest of the week …