The brain thinks in pictures, not words. Not that you remember your last dream, but if you asked yourself whether you visualized the dream in words—as you are reading now—or you visualized in pictures (images), you will conclude that you dreamt in visuals. (Remember that in human history reading is a relevantly recent development, and only in … [Read more...]

Before becoming the very successful football coach at Notre Dame, Lou Holtz brought his University of Arkansas team to the Orange Bowl in 1978 to play against heavily favored Oklahoma. Pundits gave Arkansas slight to no chance of winning. Dejected players filed into a team meeting a few days before the game. Holtz picked up some newspapers and pointed out … [Read more...]

A question was recently asked, "What's responsible for feelings of self-confidence and of positive self-worth?" The answer quickly came: "Being unafraid of failure." Truly confident people–from business leaders to politicians, from teachers to lawyers–simply are not intimidated by the possibility of failure. They do fail, but they don't allow their … [Read more...]

As the years go by, I wonder why time seems to go more quickly. I think I have come upon the reason. Think about it: When you were five years old, a year was one-fifth of your entire life. When you are fifty, it is but one-fiftieth—a mere fraction of the whole. I would like to think that this may be part of the reason we learn some of the most … [Read more...]

Question: Many of the teachers and students at my high school are operating at the the higher levels. However, I  often operate at Level B. I became aware of this while listening to you. I will be working to change my approach. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Response: Dear High School Principal, You have hit upon a significant … [Read more...]

One of the most important factors that study after study have shown—in terms of what is important to students—is their feeling/belief that someone in school cares. A significant factor in asking a question is that there is an assumption that you care about the person with whom your are conversing. When communicating with others, therefore, instead … [Read more...]

Instead of thinking of the right thing to say, think of a reflective question to ask. The sooner you inculcate the mode of asking reflective questions—instead of telling—the less stressful it will be for you, and the more successful you will become. Reflective questions prompt evaluation of the person's own behavior. An example to a young person … [Read more...]