This week has been different than usual. I'm away from home on work, taking students to perform overseas. So today, rather than share my regular top tips, wins, and preview, I wanted to share a little more about why I started this blog. As I write this I'm not sure I can give my full … Continue reading Full Cup Friday?
Tag: Mindset
I started this blog with the aim of clarifying my thinking, acting on my desire to publish, contributing to significant conversations, and building up a body of work for future use. More recently, I've been challenged to create value for people, my audience, my readers. If you're reading this, that's you. As I work out … Continue reading A Change is Coming – I’ve Got the Call. What About You?
"I am a good musician,I practice repetition.I listen, sing, compose, and play,Getting better, everyday." I composed this little ditty a few months ago. All my students - at least, those above the age of 7 - know this by heart. There are several gems of importance here. I get better through practice.What kind? Using repetition. … Continue reading The Four Dimensions of Musical Learning and Beyond
I've been thinking. What is the focus of this blog? Is it holistic high performance? Yes. I'm keen to pursue that. But in what arena? I haven't written much, yet, on my actual day-to-day work. That's kind of intentional. However, if I'm to be authentic, I need to bring more of my story and my … Continue reading Finding My Voice
We've lost our sense of time and space in these all-too sedentary times. We slouch on the couch or hunch over our phones checking the bunch of things our friends ate for lunch. Get moving! Do starjumps, if nothing else. On my really bad days of no exercise, even a set of pushups or starjumps … Continue reading The Best Way to Get Started on Monday? Move.
A really short post today - I want to give a shout out to two new friends, Aaron Walker and Jeff Goins. They sent me their books - autographed - and I am so grateful to them for their voices of encouragement, challenge, and success. Aaronand Jeff are the top two drivers behind this blog, … Continue reading Top Artists – Thank You!
You breathe, right? Why, yes, me too! 🙂 It's essential to life. Everyone's doing it. But really, how often do you stop to notice your breath? Beware Be Aware of your Breath. Recently, my breathing has not been deep and replenishing. Stress from the various tasks and demands on my life has affected me. It's definitely affected my productivity - … Continue reading Breathe – again.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Here are my top three tips of the week: Top Tips I want to get to know YOU! I’ve been writing this blog to clarify my thoughts - but also to serve you, my readers. Who are you? Where are you from? What brought you here? Comment below, … Continue reading Full Cup Friday #3: Top Tips and Weekly (P)review
Today on Think It Through Thursday, I present to you a brief summary of Cal Newport's 2012 release, "So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love." As I await the arrival of his latest release, "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World," I … Continue reading Drill Those Skills: On the Quest for Work You Love according to Cal Newport – Part 1
At work, as in life, I am seeking to apply the Hybrid Consonance concepts: Deep Work, Deliberate Practice, and Cultural Intelligence. In other words, how to choose a more focused study, work and personal life, given the cultural, economic, social, and environmental conditions of our workplaces, families, and communities. Part of a more focused life … Continue reading Aware, Care, Share: Identify, Develop, and Unleash Potential
Photo by bruce mars from Pexels Last Thursday I published a summary of an online conversation between Ryan Holiday and Cal Newport. In it, these two authors discussed Newport’s latest book, “Digital Minimalism.” If you haven’t read it yet, I’d encourage you to do so, as you’ll find out: why Newport still likes the Kindle.why he does not … Continue reading Infinite Scrolling isn’t Infinite, and other Digital Decluttering Discoveries
Move on Monday: How we move our bodies is crucial to moving into action and getting into the right mindset. As a musician, I know how crucial breathing is. This will be a short breathe breeze through an important topic. Breathe. In. Now, out. Again. In… …and… out. Once more. In… … then... … out. … Continue reading Breathe.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Fill up here with your weekly dose of winning tips while you preview next week on Hybrid Consonance. Hybrid Consonance is the collection of practices, habits, mindsets, and more, that contribute to Holistic High Performance. As an educator, musician, and writer, I am here to serve you. “Rest and … Continue reading Full Cup Friday #2: Top Tips and Weekly (P)review
This week, subscribers to Cal Newport’s email list were given an opportunity to listen and participate in a call between author Ryan Holiday and Newport, to discuss Newport’s latest book, “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World." Photo by Tom Swinnen from Pexels Here are some interesting quotes from that conversation, and some key takeaways. … Continue reading Ryan Holiday and Cal Newport Talk “Digital Minimalism”
“Words are powerful… so is your voice.” These are the opening lyrics to a song I wrote with my students. We were inspired by comments made in the classroom. I had been troubled by the impact of certain comments. Teasing and light-hearted banter may be frequent in social settings - and in any context, let … Continue reading Words Are Powerful – So Is Your Voice!
What gets you motivated, and moving, and in the right mindset to start your day - and your week? Whether you are focused on boosting your productivity, developing effective learning, growing your cultural intelligence, or like me, combining these all in the process of lifting your voice and living your song - we can all benefit from making the right moves.
"You can’t pour from an empty cup." So, fill up here with my weekly dose of winning tips, and preview next week on Hybrid Consonance (this blog!). My aim is to share what I've learnt in the hope that can serve you in some way. If you want to get in touch, please comment, tweet, or … Continue reading Full Cup Friday: Wins & Weekly Preview!
Learning is the process through which our bodies and brains grow, change, and adapt to opportunities and challenges. Witness a baby learning to walk, a child learning to talk, an adolescent learning to drive, or an adult learning a new skill for work or pleasure. We all learn and will continue to learn as long … Continue reading Effective Learning: Support, Motivation, Practice
I'm taking part in Jeff Goins' 500 words challenge. You can read more about it clicking this link. He's an amazing writer and one of the main inspirations for this blog. I can't wait to get stuck in, and in fact, for the last 6 days, I've written solidly - not always 500 words, but … Continue reading Write on!
Justin Hockey - Teacher & Musician 