Monthly Archive for July, 2011

You Are What You Eat

Published on July 11, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

And for me, that makes me an interesting (and potentially big) person!  I have a reputation for consumption—and fortunately I have good metabolism.  Pizza and cookies are standard Darden club fare—but based on my week at the Human Performance Institute, that’s a real disconnect when trying to manage energy.

Since I have returned (about a month), I’ve tried following their basic strategies.  Nothing fancy or complicated.  Not starving myself, nor avoiding the occasional treat (okay, that’s my definition of occasional).  But I am eating differently.  I am thinking about energy sustainability.  Learning just a bit of the physiology,Courtesy of USDA the glycemic index and the science of nutrition are helpful, but even the USDA provides good guidance in the recent launch of ChooseMyPlate.org:  two servings of carbs, two servings of fruits and vegetable, and a protein.  Each serving about a handful.  Then a reasonable, healthy snack in between meals and before bedtime.  It’s working for me so far.  Haven’t lost any weight, but I’m not really hungry much either.  And my energy level is, well, more level (if you know me, amount of energy is probably not my issue, but focused energy is, and my focus is, well, more focused).

I have a lot more to learn on this subject, but I believe there’ is something to it.  As I learn more, I’ll share.  Meanwhile, my friend Carrie’s blog, The Happiness Chronicles, frequently contains recipes that fit the bill.

Getting a Head Start (not)

Published on July 6, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Given the competitive nature of life and careers these days, everyone needs a head start.  If you can just get that extra boost at the beginning, then you’re going to get to “success” much sooner.  But what I learned recently at The Corporate Athlete Course at the Human Performance Institute suggests that you really cannot get a head start if you do not know what your destination is.

“Tiger Moms” know the importance of a head start, and they do everything they can do to give their kids a head start.  (What an interesting read—definitely a good subject for a future blog.)  Baseball runners know this—they risk an out by “playing off the base” to get a head start on their run to the next base.  Even business gurus know this, given the plethora of books on getting off to a fast start in your career (see Right from the Start by Dan Ciampa and Michael Watkins and The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins).

Last week  I attended the Consortium Orientation Program (OP)—a four-day event designed to give a head start on their post-MBA job search to a number of talented under-represented minority students.  The Consortium is successful in achieving its mission, and the OP is an integral part of the Consortium’s success.  The students are investing their time and effort now in their MBA job search, so they will be better prepared, and possibly even employed, before their MBA program even begins.

What struck me in my conversations with a few of them, as we worked on their “elevator pitch” one-on-one, was how few of them knew actually know where they want to go, or know what their life’s mission.  I empathize.  I have found it very difficult to articulate what I want in life, what success is, how I want to feel, and what I want to accomplish.  But I am finally at least trying to.  In my last blog post I shared a draft of mission statement. For the last two weeks, I’ve been reading it daily (almost) and thinking about it and my current job and extracurricular life.

I spent my time with these Consortium students, introducing this concept, and helping them get a small handle on what they stand for now, what they might want to do next, and how to begin to position themselves, not just for interviews this week, but for their career.  A tough task for just a thirty minute meeting, but to me, it was the best head start I could give them. 

And the best head start you can give yourself.