Friday Musings 4-4-14 - SNOW, Motivation & Success

 

Snow on My Deck this Morning 4-4-14

Crazy!! So, we We live in Minnesota. Let's not complain, but think of the opportunities! What is on your writing "to do" list?

 

 

 

Motivation

We had a great training in St. Cloud this week, the Community Mentorship Program, where we train community agency partners on financial concepts and adult education AND then an extension educator "goes home" with the agency staff to co-create, co-plan, co-implement and co-evaluate. We welcome the partnership with Minnesota Council on Economic Education who raises the funds to support training and $4,000 per agency to reduce barriers and provide incentives for the agencies to implement education. We discussed motivational interviewing as a technique and one of our participants shared this Eisenhower quote.

Success - How is it defined and How can it be Facilitated?

In this hour, TED Talk speakers share ideas about what makes us successful. The concept of success is important to study and consider as we think of outcomes of "our" programs - which really means outcomes for our participants. In this Ted Radio Hour of 5 presenters I really liked Angela Duckworth's "Grit" measure and considering if "grit" can be developed, AND Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" discussing the role of dirty jobs in success. He says perhaps we have it wrong... (paraphrase) "perhaps, do not follow your passion - but let passion follow your job." He even started a foundation for trade school scholarships. Listen to his talk and let this on-line community know what you think of his idea.

 

Good-bye to my Godfather

My godfather and uncle passed away this week, Donnie Olson. I have been thinking about our many times together and one memory sticks out.... The look on Uncle Donnie's face is still etched in my memory as I put the clutch IN (why I do not know) on the tractor while driving the baler down a steep hill with Uncle Donnie on the hay rack. I was out of control and Donnie then fell off the rack onto the baler! When we finally stopped - he just shook his head. Bless his heart. I am sure he could have said many things to me that day - but did not. Those hot days baling are still some of my best summer memories.


Have a nice spring weekend.
Trish