Category Archives: Deep Mind
How Many Thoughts Do You Have Per Day? And Other FAQs – Healthline
Thoughts weave their way across your mind constantly. From your first moment of consciousness after waking until you close your eyes to sleep (and sometimes, long after that), youre generally thinking about something.
These thoughts might include garden-variety, everyday musings:
Or more complex, deeper cogitations:
You might even find yourself wondering just how many thoughts you actually have, and where they all come from. Maybe youve even spent some time exploring ways to turn off certain thoughts namely, the ones that trouble you and cause lingering distress.
Experts have plenty left to discover about how the brain works. Still, research has led to some notable findings, including the number of thoughts you have, on average, per day.
Would it surprise you to learn you have more than 6,000 thoughts per day?
The results of a 2020 study suggested people typically have more than 6,000 thoughts per day.
In the study, which involved 184 participants with an average age of 29.4, study authors used brain imaging scans to track when new thoughts began while participants were either resting or watching a movie.
Why did they choose to show participants movies? They explain that transitions between events in movies trigger thought worms, or detectable patterns of brain activity just like thoughts that emerge spontaneously.
Since each new thought generates a new worm, researchers can recognize when one thought ends and the next begins.
After testing these transitions at different times, on two different days, they found a median rate of about 6.5 thought transitions per minute. This rate appeared to remain fairly consistent over time.
They concluded the study by estimating, based on this rate of 6.5 transitions each minute, that the average young adult would have more than 6,000 thoughts throughout the day.
Heres the math, based on their estimate:
Say you get 8 hours of sleep each night. Youre awake for 16 hours each day and have exactly 6.5 thoughts per minute. (6.5 x 60 x 16 = 6,240 thoughts)
Maybe you only sleep 7 hours each night, so youre awake for 17 hours each day. (6.5 x 60 x 17 = 6,630 thoughts)
Of course, this is just one study. This estimate isnt a precise, conclusive measurement, though it does offer a starting place for future research.
You might find it pretty tough to reliably track how many thoughts you have yourself, but you might (somewhat less scientifically) observe that the rate varies throughout the day.
When youre calm and relaxed, for example, your brain might seem quieter. During busy or tense times, your brain might feel jam-packed with rapid or racing thoughts that threaten to tumble right out.
Some thoughts, like fantasies about a crush or anticipation for your weekend plans, might prompt feelings of pleasure and excitement.
Unpleasant thoughts, on the other hand, might have a lingering impact on your mood and state of mind. Worries about your relationship, your performance at work, or some new and unusual health symptoms youve noticed any of these can pop up and distract you from your current task or activity.
Thanks to the negativity bias, you might place more significance on these negative thoughts, even if they dont pose an immediate or likely threat.
You might know the thing youre worried about probably wont happen. Even so, you find it difficult to stop thinking about and cycle through those same thoughts again and again.
Experts have yet to offer any specific estimates around the number of negative thoughts people generally have per day. That said, theres no denying that mental health concerns, like depression and anxiety, can contribute to the number of unwanted thoughts you experience, particularly when these conditions go unaddressed.
Ruminating, or focusing on a loop of distressing or dark thoughts without exploring solutions, can happen with both anxiety and depression.
It tends to involve the repetition of same unwanted thoughts, not completely new thoughts. But you could feel overrun by negative thoughts, all the same.
The study described above didnt try to determine thought content, only when new thoughts began. Yet the researchers did find a connection between thought transition rate and certain Big Five personality traits.
Participants with higher openness scores experienced transitions at a lower rate. In other words, they seemed to have fewer thoughts while at rest.
Those with higher neuroticism scores, however, experienced transitions at a higher rate. Not only did they appear to have more thoughts while at rest, but they also tended to get distracted more easily while watching movie clips.
In short, scoring higher on measures of neuroticism could mean you have more thoughts a noisier brain, if you will.
It could also mean more of these thoughts tend to center on distressing emotions and experiences, or potential threats to your emotional security or physical safety.
Keep in mind that neuroticism is just a personality trait, and it doesnt automatically translate to a mental health condition. Research does suggest, though, that a higher neuroticism score is a key risk factor for both anxiety and depression.
Intrusive thoughts refer to unsettling or disturbing thoughts that invade your consciousness, often without any specific trigger. These thoughts might be sexual or violent in nature, or about behavior that embarrasses or disgusts you, so they can feel very upsetting.
A few scientific studies have explored how often these thoughts happen.
A small 2013 study investigating intrusive thoughts asked 24 young adults and 15 older adults to report how many of these thoughts they experienced. Study authors collected information about intrusive thoughts on 100 different days over a 6-month period and found that participants reported an average of two to three intrusive thoughts over the 100 days.
A 2014 study exploring the prevalence of intrusive thoughts involved 777 university students in 13 different countries. Study authors found that 93.6 percent of participants had experienced at least one intrusive thought in the past 3 months, and many experienced more than one.
While these studies suggest that intrusive thoughts do happen for most people from time to time, they also imply that intrusive thoughts arent all that frequent.
Its worth noting that these studies involved participants who didnt have any diagnosed mental health concerns. You might notice intrusive thoughts far more often multiple times a day, even if you live with certain mental health conditions, including:
These thoughts, again, are natural, and they dont necessarily pose a cause for concern, especially if you have them only occasionally.
Working with a mental health professional to address intrusive thoughts and potential underlying causes might be a good option when those thoughts:
Learn more about intrusive thoughts and why they might happen.
A deep dive into the scientific theories around how thoughts form lies beyond the scope of this particular article, but heres a basic explanation.
Current theories hold that thoughts form when your brains nerve cells, or neurons, signal other cells by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters. In an extremely short amount of time, countless other neurons respond, setting off a chain of firing neurons along the pathways of your brain.
While neurons can send these signals at any time, the events happening around you often cue this process, triggering thoughts related to those events.
Research from 2015 also suggested that two adjacent regions in your brains left temporal lobe work together to construct thoughts. These regions appear to use an algebra-like system of variables to encode known and new information into comprehensible thoughts.
As for the content of your thoughts, your everyday life often plays a key role. Youre most likely to think about the things you experience on a regular basis, after all.
This fact helps explain why such a strong link exists between mental health concerns and rumination. When distressing thoughts and emotions persist, they might feel inescapable. You might end up fixating on them, in part, because you simply dont know how to start shaking them loose.
Thinking might be an essential skill, but it can still get in your way sometimes.
Mind wandering, or thoughts that veer off course from your current activity, happens pretty frequently for most people during up to almost half of your daily activities, according to some research.
These distracting thoughts can create challenges when you really need to focus on your current activity, or when they lead to emotional distress.
While you probably dont want to entirely give up your ability to think, you might wonder whether you can change the way you think.
In short: Yes, its absolutely possible. But it typically doesnt involve ignoring your thoughts, actively pushing them away, or replacing them with more positive ones.
In general, the most helpful techniques for addressing unwanted thoughts include:
Learn more about thought-stopping and what experts recommend trying instead.
Experts still have quite a bit to learn about how the brain produces thoughts and transitions between them. But at the end of the day, the amount of thoughts you have may matter less than the ways they affect you.
Research may never determine the exact number of thoughts you think each day, hour, or minute but plenty of scientific evidence does support various approaches to addressing unwanted thoughts, including therapy and meditation.
If your thoughts frighten you, or if you feel overwhelmed and exhausted by them, a therapist can offer judgment-free support.
Crystal Raypole writes for Healthline and Psych Central. Her fields of interest include Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health, along with books, books, and more books. In particular, shes committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. She lives in Washington with her son and a lovably recalcitrant cat.
Replace the placeholder image on the left with a 200200 pixel photo of the author.
The rest is here:
How Many Thoughts Do You Have Per Day? And Other FAQs - Healthline
Evacuation is the only thing on our mind: Gujarat students in Ukraine – Times of India
Living in a war-torn country is the worst nightmare one can ever face. For thousands of students and professionals from around the world, studying and working in Ukraine, life suddenly turned tough and uncertain when the Russian forces decided to advance into Ukrainian territory last week. Now, they want to be back with their loved ones and their emotions echo only one thing Please evacuate us soon. Even as the Indian government has started the evacuation process, we spoke to students and professionals living in Ukraine on how they are sailing through this challenging period.Want to be evacuated as soon as possiblePoojan Modi, a third year MBBS student at Ternopil National Medical University, who was stuck for four days between the Poland and Ukrainian border, has finally reached Slovakia. Its been the most difficult time of my life. I cant even begin to explain what my friend Ankush Purohit and I have been through. I was at the border with about 1200 other students from Ternopil. We walked over 40 kms and it took us nine hours as the temperatures dipped to -5 degree Celsius for most part of our journey, says Poojan, who will be boarding a flight to India soon.Talking about her trauma, Hetal Patil, a fourth year medical student says, It has been really traumatic. I cant even tell my parents, who live in Surat, what we all are going through. I have to keep giving them hope and stay strong when I speak to them. The only thing that is dominant in our mind is the evacuation process.After 8 PM, the siren goes off and from our hostel rooms, we move to the bunkersHartik Joshi, whos from Ranavav near Porbandar, is studying medicine in Ukraine. A student of Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Mykolaiv, Hartik says they are left with water to last them just a day and food for two more days. Our life has changed dramatically since the war was announced. We are in our hostels from 8 am to 8 pm. After 8 pm, the siren goes off and we have to go to the bunkers. All through the night we just hear shelling, bomb blasts and more, says 22-year-old Hartik. I sensed things would become difficult, so I decided to fly back to India on February 15Pratik Panchal took the first flight out of Ukraine on February 15. Around February 14, there were talks that Russia might launch an attack on Ukraine in the coming days. So, I booked my flight on February 15 for the same day. As someone living in Kyiv, we could sense the tension that was brewing even before the world media started covering the war. I thought it was too risky to stay there any longer, says 26-year-old Pratik, who was in Ukraine on a work visa. I have set up a business there, so I know that if things get better, I can always go back. I had an advantage over those studying since their future depends on the university or college, says Pratik, who spent `70,000 for a ticket that usually costs `25,000. He had plans to shift his base to Poland soon. Had the tension not brewed between these countries, I would have already applied for my visa to Poland, where I wish to settle now.Going back to India is not an option for usNot everyone who is in Ukraine currently wants to come back. Deep Patel, 23, went to Kyiv from Vadodara just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. I was lucky not to be in India during the pandemic-induced lockdown. But what has transpired over the last few days has been scary, says Deep, who went to Kyiv to study a local language course. Over the past five days, Deep along with his four friends drove from Kyiv to the Poland border. It took them 96 hours to drive about 800 kms. When the first bombing took place, Deep was fast asleep. I heard a loud thud around seven-eight kms from our house, and the next thing we heard was a missile. So, immediately we decided to move towards Poland which we thought was a safer option, says Deep, who doesn't intend to come back to India. He is on a 53 day visa to Poland. My friend who lived in Poland invited us over and we are staying at her place for a few days. Meanwhile, we will decide our next course of action but we are not going back to India. If we go back, we might not be able to come back considering the ongoing pandemic, says Deep, whose parents and family members want him to return to India.
Read the rest here:
Evacuation is the only thing on our mind: Gujarat students in Ukraine - Times of India
Progressive muscle relaxation: how to use PMR to relax – Stylist Magazine
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is exactly what it sounds like a relaxation technique that uses the tensing of the muscles throughout the body to trigger a state of calm.
You can practice PMR lying down or sitting upright in a relaxed and comfortable position, Kamau explains. Before you begin, take a few deep breaths bringing the mind and body into the present moment. Then, starting with the feet, breathe in, tense the muscles in the feet, curl the toes and then, as you exhale, let go and relax those muscles.
You can continue up the body, tensing and relaxing the muscles until you reach your head. Finish the practice by tensing the entire body on the inhale and relaxing on the exhale.
If you want to practice, Kamau recommends using your fist: Clench your first, and as you tighten the hand, breathe in and hold the breath the count of 10 before exhaling and letting go. Notice the difference in sensation in your hand.
Follow this link:
Progressive muscle relaxation: how to use PMR to relax - Stylist Magazine
3 Indian apps with different approaches to ensuring peace of mind – The Indian Express
When it comes to apps for mental health, Indian products like Evolve, being and jumpminds.AI are slowly making a breakthrough in the market with increasing user engagement and growth. All three apps were ranked among the top in Google Plays Best of Awards for 2021 thanks to growth fuelled by pandemic anxiety.
Anshul Kamath, Evolves founder, agrees that awareness about mental health has gone up significantly during the pandemic. Earlier, mental health used to be seen as something synonymous with mental illness such as depression. However, today everyone realises that just like we focus on our physical health, we also need to take care of our mental health regularly, he told indianexpress.com over an email interaction.
Varun Gandhi, Co-Founder and CEO at being, quantifies the spike by saying that more than 100,000 new users joined from April to December 2021, most of it organically.
Kamath credits Google Play for the success too. He says they have also run close to 60 alpha and beta test experiments on the Play Store over the last six months to understand their users better. Gandhi concurs that being featured on Google Plays collections helped boost their growth for them.
The pandemic also meant that the usage and time spent on these apps increased. All three apps claim they saw an uptick even as the third wave began in December. For Evolve average time users spent on the app also went up, while being claims the growth has continued well into January 2022.
Different approaches
All three apps have a different approach. Evolve helps users with their mental well-being through interactive content based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Users can work on a specific problem they face using the app. It has close to 100,000 users from across the world and relies on a freemium model with a mix of free and premium elements. Some of the content is free forever, though it also offers an annual and monthly subscription.
Someone going through a breakup or a burnout has sessions contextualised to the specific problem they are facing. These virtual sessions are interactive and designed to simulate how a therapist or a life coach would work with them in person. Apart from this, users can also do bite-sized practices every day for their daily self-care and mental wellbeing, Kamath explained. The app has a proprietary interactive interface, designed to simulate in-person sessions conducted by a therapist or a life coach.
Meanwhile, the jumpingMinds.ai (jM) app, which is entirely free to access, is designed more for the everyday stress that users face. It is more about users finding and talking to their peers about common problems. Unlike the majority of players who employ a therapy-first strategy, jumpingMinds has adopted a user-first approach to make wellness easy, accessible, and fun. Its a first-of-its-kind community platform empowered by deep technology that offers an anonymous safe space, Ariba Khan, the founder and CEO of Jumping Minds said.
Khan claims 75 per cent of the people who reached out to the app felt better after a single conversation. About the The Friends Therapy approach they take, she explains that one of the challenges with mental health and wellness is the low user retention along with the high stigma and lack of mental health professionals. The idea of the app is to create an interactive, secure and empathetic network of friends who will listen to the user and support them.
For being, more than 65 per cent of the audience is in the Gen-Z age group. A majority of its users have never done any kind of therapy or are not yet considering the same, according to its founder and it is this gap they want to fill. The app also offers sessions called mini-therapies, which are bite-sized interactive sessions on how one feels at the moment. These mini-sessions help users truly identify how they feel and why they are confused about their feelings, he said, stressing that they have been designed by mental health professionals across the world.
It also claims to have better diversity in the audience and has 65 per cent of women users, while 60 per cent of users are based outside India, primarily in the US and the UK. Anxiety and stress, relationships, depression, focus and productivity, loneliness, and sleep were the top 5 broad-level issues that the being app helped address. While the app will be free for the first four months of 2022, it too plans to start with monthly and annual subscription fee models.
Evolve is also focusing on individuals who identify as LGBTQIA, which Kamath is convinced is an underserved section. The company ran a few experiments on the Google Play Console testing during Pride month last year, which included an inclusive logo and branding. This resulted in a big surge in conversion rates, according to its founder. The app offers curated content specifically for members of the community including interactive introspections on embracing ones sexuality and coming out to loved ones.
The limitations
But the developers of these apps know that offering mental health advice via an app is not an easy problem to solve. According to Kamath, there are challenges around personalisation and measuring progress. He admits that a generic one-size-fits-all solution does not work for all users.
Understanding users through purely digital interactions and being able to personalise solutions that work for them is a huge challenge, he admitted. But what works in their favour is that these apps are affordable. In his view, they can be a great first line of solution for people to use. In fact, therapy sessions are expensive in India. Most well-qualified therapists charge anything from Rs 1000 to higher per session and most insist on weekly sessions.
In many cases, these apps do advise users to go beyond. We have a curated list of experts with whom the users can connect. Some of these services are free and some are paid for. However, the type of user that downloads an app is generally a person who wants to explore a virtual solution so a very small percentage of our users end up availing of this option, Kamath said.
Gandhi too, admits that personalisation is easier said than done and that even a therapist takes a session or two (sometimes, more) to understand whats going on before they offer any counselling. Another challenge is the willingness to pay, especially in the context of most people in India. But if we find a way to solve the other challenges, people will understand the value and will be ready to pay as well, he said.
Further, 1-3 per cent of being apps users are referred to its network of mental health professionals for proper therapy support for either counselling or clinical psychiatry depending on the need. We also recommend our users participate in certain mental health communities and support groups as these activities of connecting, sharing, and opening up with people can help a great deal. Also, our mini-therapies, irrespective of the discomfort being addressed, involve activities that connect you with real-life, Gandhi stressed.
Read more:
3 Indian apps with different approaches to ensuring peace of mind - The Indian Express
Should You Be Taping Your Mouth At Night? A Look At The Strange Sleep Method – mindbodygreen.com
Mouth taping is exactly what it sounds likegently taping your mouth so that you breathe through your nose instead of opening your mouth during sleep.
"When you think about breathing through your nose during the daytime, it's a lot easier because you can consciously tell yourself to do it," says Nestor. "When you fall asleep, not only are you unconscious but your muscles and tissues relax, which makes it easier for the mouth to open."
By changing the way you breathe at night to nasal breathing, you're ensuring you are delivering the appropriate amount of oxygen to the body.
"More oxygen isn't always better, just like eating more food isn't always better for more energy," says Nestor. "Your body will be able to upload more oxygen if you're breathing in line with your metabolic needs. For most people, this means you need to breathe slower and deeper. The nose helps with this because it pressurizes air, slowing the rate it enters the body and allowing the lungs to have more time to extract oxygen."
Allowing extra time for the lungs to tap into oxygen also releases more nitric oxide, which helps cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body, improves circulation, and widens the blood vessels to enhance blood flow and promote healthy blood pressure.
Visit link:
Should You Be Taping Your Mouth At Night? A Look At The Strange Sleep Method - mindbodygreen.com
Cultivate a Mind that Yearns to Give rather than Take – The New Indian Express
Children, people face two kinds of poverty: first, the poverty caused by a lack of money, depriving one of even necessities like food, clothing and shelter; second, poverty caused by the depletion of love and compassion in society. Of these, the second kind of poverty deserves more attention because it is the basis of the first kind of poverty. If we have mutual love and compassion, we will be able to ease the troubles of those suffering from financial poverty. However, people today are retreating within themselves, whether in villages or towns. The culture of sharing is disappearing even among spouses. Society can maintain its balance only if we focus more on giving than taking. But today, most only want to take.
There was a man who only wanted to take from others. He never shared anything with anyone. He dedicated his life to amassing more and more wealth. One day, while walking somewhere, he tripped and fell into a deep pit by the roadside. He tried hard to get out but failed. Helplessly, he started shouting Help... help.... After some time, a passer-by heard his shouts and came to the pit. He held his hand out to the man and said, Give me your hand! But the man in the pit did not. Even after the passer-by repeatedly asked, give me your hand, the man refused to raise his hand. Finally, the passer-by stretched out his hand again and said, Take hold of my hand! As soon as he heard this, the man in the pit reached out to grab the passer-bys hand and was thus rescued.
Many of us are like the man who fell into the pit. We know only how to take from others. Such selfishness can only lead to the decline of society.We must cultivate a mind that yearns to give rather than take. Our survival hinges on mutual dependence. Our lives should not be for ourselves alone. We are here in this world for a short time only. Just like the butterfly, which gives joy and cheerfulness to others in its short lifespan of a few days, every second of our life should benefit others. We must share our wealth and joy with others. Through mutual dependence, love and sharing we must become one.
The writer is a world-renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian
Here is the original post:
Cultivate a Mind that Yearns to Give rather than Take - The New Indian Express
How the Porsche Academy Schooled Us in Driving Fast – Robb Report
The odd aspect about being an automotive journalist is how easily you can lose your frame of reference. One week youre hustling Bentleys through an abandoned airfield in Sicily, the next youre pummeling Ferraris at the marques private circuit in Maranello. Humblebrags aside, I find that the ongoing battle for objectivity and nuance in the midst of this historically unprecedented horsepower war makes it trickier than ever to be objective.
Gulping from the firehose between Le Mans and Sepang for the better part of two decades has exposed me to virtually everything that goes fast. But the sensory smorgasbord sometimes requires recalibration. To take a step back and tune in to my true north, I turned to Porsche.
The Stuttgart carmaker knows a thing or two about speed, having claimed over 30,000 race wins over decades of motorsport competition. More relevant to my needs, however, is Porsches West Coast Experience Center, in Carson, Calif., conveniently located a short drive away from my home and staffed by a team of instructors with access to 53 acres of specialized training grounds.
Packed into the landscape are a panoply of challenges aimed at keeping drivers on their toes, from wet circuits to a kick plate which jolts the tarmac below in unpredictable directions. Critically, Porsche emphasizes that its Experience Center is a driver development circuit, not a racetrack. In other words, its all about education, not competition.
The grab bag of training tools is great. But my goal of bolstering fundamentals and unlearning roughly 20 years of accumulated habits demands a specialized approach, one that calls for more than just cursory lessons or rote learning. Im directed to the Academy course, the most in-depth driver training program on the menu. Key to this curriculum is that its anchored by four separate sessions with one instructor, establishing a personal mentorship for the sake of consistency and accountability.
My guide for the high-speed proceedings is Andrew Chinnici, a youthful yet salt-and-pepper-haired instructor with a knack for easy speed and a calm, communicative demeanor. Incidentally, the latter is profoundly endearing within the machismo-infused world of driving instruction and motorsports.
There are four levels of Academy based on the vehicles used for coursework, and Im signed up for the top tier, which focuses on the Boxster Spyder, Cayman GT4, 911 GT3, and 911 GT3 RS among the most track-focused models from Porsches toolbox of road-going cars. The Boxster and Cayman are sharp little two-seaters, whose mid-engine configuration makes them extremely agile during the first session. Sometimes their extreme responsiveness is a liability, like how their ease of rotation on the wet skidpad makes it difficult to keep them in check on the low-friction surface.
Chinnici persists with patient pointers from the right seat as I struggle to tap into a natural rhythm of throttle, steering, clutch and gearshift inputs. I hold the line for little stretches, drifting the small sports car between the wet, painted white lines until its sideways attitude devolves into a pendulum swing of 180 degrees. Daunted, I return to the circle of frustration until, after much consternation and gnashing of teeth, I lather, spin, and repeat until I finally get it right.
Pitching the Cayman into a drift and holding it the entirety of the 300-foot circle is satisfying not just for the act of completion, but because it forges neural links of how it feels to dial in just enough throttle pressure and steering angle while compensating, in perfect rhythm, with the irregularities of pooled water. Holding the drift in a mid-engine Cayman or Boxster is surprisingly harder to do than in, say, a rear-engine 911. But I dont bask in the accomplishment for long: Next its on to the kick plate, where my reflexes are challenged by a hydraulically actuated road surface that has an annoyingly unpredictable mind of its own.
Though sessions are separated by short classroom briefings and de-briefs, the three-hour meet-ups are fast and furious, with back-to-back stints at all but one of the facilitys eight featuresone minute youre sliding down the 7 percent grade of the ice hill while attempting to flick the car through a circuitous path, the next youre chasing the instructor around the 1.3-mile handling circuit, linking many of the car-control techniques covered in the other modules.
By the end of the first session, Im spent. In its optimal state, precision driving is a zen experience that clears the mind, but it can also devolve into a steering-wheel gripping, teeth-clenching and back-stiffening effort, especially in Porsches unforgiving, fixed carbon-fiber bucket seats, which are built for support, not comfort. But the experience is also exhilarating, offering repeated loops of effort, struggle and rewardan ongoing, gamified experience in which no two laps are the same.
The sit-downs with Chinnici outline areas for improvement and a few bright spots; Im grateful later to have started the sequence in mid-engine models, because the rear-engine 911s offer more stability, making exercises like the wet skidpad that much more conquerable. However, because its engine is positioned over the rear axle, the 911 also requires an alternate driving technique, a different rhythm, and modified driving lines through corners. Under the guidance of an instructor, youre never not thinking, and youre certainly always trying to extract the most out of your mind and your machine.
Scheduling the four sessions tightly together is ideal; like flying lessons, driving skills are best accumulated as regularly and close together as possible. The single-instructor approach also helps maintain continuity throughout the learning process. By observing driving behavioral patterns, both good and bad, the instructor keeps the student honest. And slowly but surely, some of the old ways of doing things are unlearned in favor of better, more effective methods. Finesse breeds speed, and the cumulative seat time paired with ongoing feedback help create a more holistic, consistent approach to driving.
By the end of the fourth session, which culminates with the sublimely capable and communicative 911 GT3 RS, Ive developed a rapport, not only with Chinniciwhose instruction is insightful while not overbearingbut every inch of pavement on the facility. Ive also developed more attuned attention towards the finer points of high-performance driving. Bad habits can creep into driving style even at elevated levels; upgrading them with new techniques can make it ultimately rewarding to make a powerful sports car dance under your command.
Like any form of advanced learning, fine-tuning ones high-performance driving is a process. But the experience is also a reminder that techniques may seem so familiar that they become rote, which can lead to misplaced confidence. The latter is all the more reason to put yourself under scrutiny, reevaluate your approach and challenge yourself on the endless road toward self-improvement.
See the rest here:
How the Porsche Academy Schooled Us in Driving Fast - Robb Report
COLUMN: Don’t Mind the Mess – The champion of the deck – Winnipeg Free Press
Its minus 30, with a windchill that makes it feel closer to minus 40 frigid but not unusual for February in Canada.
Im about as bundled up as I can be, with only my eyes showing, as I shovel through the three-foot high snow drift on my deck. Let me point out, this is not normal winter behavior for a summer lover like me, who would far rather be inside, snuggled under a quilt, sipping wine, and losing myself in some sappy romance on Netflix.
My fingers are freezing, my head is sweating, and I really dont want to be out here.
But this is an act of love for the furry creature watching me from the warm side of the living room window. This is Mozart, who has driven me berserk for the last 15 years. The terror of the neighborhood who silences the birds as he saunters by, makes squirrels flee to the treetops, and sharpens his claws on every new piece of furniture I own.
This cat, "temporarily" handed to me by a daughter whose landlord did not allow pets. This cat, who ended up staying, and gradually working his way into my resistant heart.
This cat, who watched his entire feline family cross the rainbow bridge, and who is now too old and sick for wandering in the cold as he has in winters past. Now, he relies on me to carve out a small, snow-free spot for him to perch for a few minutes and watch the world go by.
Relentless storms nearly made the deck disappear this year. The snow filled it up like an ice cream bowl, and the freezing rain gave it a shiny glaze. It would be pretty, if it wasnt as heavy as concrete, building an ache in my back with each shovelful.
From his perch behind the glass, Mozart flicks his tail in fascination. Maybe hes thinking, "Crazy Master. Doesnt she know I detest that white stuff, and Ill only poke my head out there for a minute before Im ready to go back in?"
What he doesnt know is that its that minute of joy that Im labouring for. That little window of time when the bounce returns to his aging legs, and he lifts that pink, heart-shaped nose in the air and takes a deep, delightful whiff of fresh air.
Blame all of this on the neighborhood squirrel, who paid us a visit a few hours ago. The cunning little beast balanced on the back of the deck chair, taunting the cat to make his move, knowing full well that the glass would protect him. Mozart clawed at the pane in vain, and the squirrel only moved in closer, and then smugly bounced off, leaving his former stalker defeated and sad.
Dont get me wrong. I love squirrels. The bowl of peanuts that I leave out for this cheeky fur ball can attest to that. But his brash behavior made me hurt for Mozart, whose ego deflated right before my eyes. He may never be the terror of the neighborhood again, but at the very least, he can still be the champion of the deck.
So, I shovel until there is just enough space for my old friend to wander and stare up at the trees. And perhaps give an arrogant squirrel a run for his money.
I step inside without removing my boots, scoop the cat up in the arms and place him out on the deck chair. He looks at me as if Ive gone completely insane. Or more insane, as the case may be. Then he closes his eyes, lifts his furry chin, and breathes in that crisp, clean air. Then, abruptly jumps down and heads for the door. Yep. Less than a minute. But mission accomplished.
Maybe high up in the poplar tree, the squirrel is watching and wondering whether his old nemesis has returned. But the peanuts will bring him back.
Meanwhile, theres a proud, grey cat who knows theres still a world waiting for him outside that frosty glass. Even if its just for a while.
Original post:
COLUMN: Don't Mind the Mess - The champion of the deck - Winnipeg Free Press
Problem or possibility? The shrouded secret to succeed in business – MetroWest Daily News
Paula M. Parker| Special to the Daily News
His hand goes up. The audience gasps. Simon stops the singer.
Its the wrong song, can you rehearse another one and try again, he said. And depending upon your perspective, that scenario is either a problem or a possibility.
Maybe Cowell is coaching. Dig deep, then come back and show me the vocal mastery, I know you have.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to metrowestdailynews.com today for $1 for 6 months
Well, thats my interpretation. Ultimately the artist returns, and belts out a song to thunderous applause. Problem or possibility: Isit the shrouded secret to succeed in business, too? Read on.
What if a problem is really a possibility in disguise, and its inviting you to reach deep within to discover your authentic talent, like that singer?Because when you change what something means, everything changes.
Before I explain, check out the Latin root of possibility, possibilitatem. Meaning a possible thing or substance; that which may take place or come into being.
If the vocalist views Simons instruction as an inspiring possibility, she conjures her true talent into being and brings the house down. But if shes anxious andthinksits a problem, thats constrictive energy, which can constrict vocal cords.
Zero singing mastery there.
Two different outcomes. Now imagine framing a problem in business as a possibility. No,Im not suggesting that you like something you really dont. Thats when being emotionally neutral works. A possibility, when its positive, opens your mind to a realm of infinite solutions. Itll call forth your every talent, and some you dont know you have.
Accessing your talent and solutions, in business, is a success strategy, shrouded secret or not.
People think in patterns, for too many reasons to explain here. Its not always a bad thing, as songs have patterns. But what happens if the pattern isnt beneficial?
In business or otherwise, responding by thinking in limiting patterns, to new situations, when absolutely committed to change, is frustrating. Can you relate? Youre making progress in personal development.Then one day a situation crops up. Enter the old self.
Hey, Im persistent, Ill do everything in my power so youll handle this the exact same way you have for decades.
If you give in, it reinforces the old behavioral pattern. What changes?
Heres the paradox. Transforming any pattern that keeps you stuckis a contest between you and you. Because the only one telling you to think the same old way about a situationis... you.
Can you transform a limiting pattern? Yes, of course. Depending upon its strength, transformation takes patience and repetition. Results far exceed effort when clients apply these mindset alchemy principles in business. Heres why: When you become the master of your mind, you are master of everything. That's Swami Satchidananda.
No "Americas Got Talent" audition? Its OK. Youre brilliant in your own right. You have the power to turn a problem into a possibility and to transform a limiting pattern, into a beneficial one. Thats superstar talent, and wherever you go, its there.
Paula M. Parker, of Ashland, is an owners adviser preparing businesses to prosper. Contact her at http://www.paulamparker.net.
See original here:
Problem or possibility? The shrouded secret to succeed in business - MetroWest Daily News
One down, three to go? Liverpool’s quadruple bid off to perfect start with epic Carabao Cup victory – Goal.com
Match statistics: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (10-11 pens.)
The day began with tears for the injured Thiago Alcantara, but there were only smiles at the end for Liverpool.
The Carabao Cup trophy used to be a permanent fixture at Anfield, and it is back in the Reds possession once more.
The first leg of a potential quadruple is in the bag, for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
They and their fans went through hell to get there, mind. This will go down as one of the most incredible football matches - never mind finals - in living memory.
Where do you even begin to unravel what we witnessed here today at Wembley?
It took 120 minutes and 22 penalties to settle it. But when Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Chelsea goalkeeper, sent his spot-kick into orbit at around 7.20pm, Liverpool could finally celebrate.
And boy did they.
Kepa had been brought specifically for the shootout, his job to save penalties rather than take them. But the Spain international, a specialist, could do nothing as, one by one, Liverpools stars held their nerve from 12 yards.
Caoimhin Kelleher was the 11th Red to do so, burying his penalty with aplomb. What a day this was for the Irishman, the deputy for Alisson Becker who did not put a foot, or a hand, wrong throughout.
Kepas miss sparked wild scenes. Red smoke filled the north London air as the pyrotechnics were unleashed.
Klopp, his staff and his players sprinted to Kelleher, who celebrated in front of the Liverpool supporters as the Wembley DJ played Youll Never Walk Alone.
Who says the Carabao Cup doesnt matter, eh?
Getty Images
There was nothing to separate the sides in the two league meetings earlier this year, and this was just as tight a contest, if not tighter. At times, it bordered on farcical.
Chelsea had three goals disallowed and Liverpool one. VAR played its part, and so did the two goalkeepers. Kelleher made big saves from Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku, while Edouard Mendy made an incredible one to deny Sadio Mane. The Senegal star was the Man Of The Match by a mile, and he was not even there for the conclusion.
Chance after chance came and went. Mo Salah clean through, denied on the line by Thiago Silva. Mason Mount hit the post and missed another good opportunity. Mendy denied Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz. It was relentless, breathless, almost dangerously intense.
Lord only knows what Klopp and Thomas Tuchel went through on the touchline. They embraced during the first half, and shared a nice moment when Kepa blazed his penalty over, but their heart-rate cannot have dropped below 130bpm here.
And so Liverpool have their trophy back. This is the ninth time they have lifted the League Cup, and only two of those have been settled in 90 minutes. They really are the marathon men in this competition, arent they?
Getty Images
There is still plenty of running to do this season, mind. They enjoyed themselves here, but they know that there could be so much more to come.
Manchester City are in their sights in the Premier League, and they will fancy their chances of going deep in both the Champions League and the FA Cup, too.
That is for tomorrow, though. Today, it is time to celebrate.
Klopp did. He danced a jig to Dua Lipa in front of his adoring fans. Kelleher could barely contain himself, Harvey Elliott grabbed a flare, the passion written all over his teenage face.
James Milner, the oldest member of the squad, smiled like it was his first time. Joel Matip grinned and bounced, Van Dijk waved a corner flag around. It was carnage. A fitting climax, you could say.
Liverpool Football Club are doing what they do. They are gathering cups again.
One suspects there will be more to come this season, as well.