Featured Video (Week of 8/25/13)

Duncan Nugget® #344:Your Strategy for Dealing With Failure
Click here for action steps, discussion questions, and the original post.

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #311: The Amazing Effects of Your Expectations

Which tastes better, Pepsi or Coke?

In a study done at Baylor College of Medicine, most people said they preferred Coke. But the researchers also monitored people’s brains while they tasted Coke and Pepsi.

When people knew what brand they were drinking, their brains lit up more for Coke than for Pepsi. But, the researchers changed things up. They told people they were drinking Coke even when they were drinking Pepsi and guess what? People’s brains lit up more for Pepsi.

Think about that. It wasn’t just the taste. It was an effect of their expectations.

That’s life.

If you are convinced ahead of time that something is going to be bad or good, many times it will be. Not because of the experience, it’s because of the amazing effects of your expectations.

Million-Dollar Question:
How are your expectations
influencing what happens in your life?

_________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

[ACTIVITY] 7 Questions To Ask Yourself At The Beginning Of The Semester

If you are going to start, make it a good start.

I know… “Duh!” Who doesn’t know that, right? But yet and still many people fail to set themselves up properly. The following questions are ideal for helping students, educators, parents, and other professionals working with young people get off to a great start at the beginning of the school or program year.

You and the group you are working with should answer these questions in writing. They will make for a great group discussion.

1. Why am I here? Why am I going to school, work, or participating in this program?

If your answer is “Because my mom made me,” or “I have to,” I have one word for you: lame.

Your why is your single point of focus. It’s different then a goal, it’s the reason you remain motivated and determined to meet your goals. It’s what drives you to do what you do. The stronger your why, the higher your level of determination and motivation. So, you gotta have a strong answer to this question. It should be your reason, not someone else’s.

Your why could start off like this:

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget #355: Think. Slowly.

Pop quiz.

A bat and ball costs a dollar and ten cents together. If the bat costs one dollar more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?

Got it?

The ball costs ten cents, right? Wrong.

The Young and Exceptional™: Iman Victoria Wilson

Iman Victoria Wilson is the 2012 national winner of the Blacks In Government Information Superhighway Student Competition. An honors student in the 11th grade at Monroe Comprehensive High School, Iman has received the Girl of the Year Award from Girl’s Inc. She epitomizes the organization’s mantra: “Strong, Smart and Bold.” Iman is also the Sunday School secretary for Institutional First Baptist Church in Albany, GA.

Iman enjoys reading, meeting new people, listening to music, and spending time with her family. Her positive and polite attitude is magnetic. She aspires to attend Spelman College. Her post graduate plans include attending Harvard School of Law and eventually becoming a successful criminal defense attorney. Let’s take a quick peek inside the mind of this young leader on the rise.

________________

[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #240: Purpose Called

Purpose called. But…
She was sent straight to voice mail.
She didn’t leave a message. 
But Purpose is persistent so…
she will call again.

Million-Dollar Question: 
Will YOU answer the call?

_________________________
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

[VIDEO+ACTIVITY] Duncan Nugget #330: Blame Is Lame

Here’s a cool little story about blame. Maybe you’ve heard it before.

“This is the story of four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody knew that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

Consequently, it wound up that Nobody told Anybody, so Everybody blamed Somebody. And nothing got done.”

Unfortunately, there was a time in my life when I blamed anything and anyone else, except for myself, for my lack of success. Not cool.

You cannot blame your way to success.

Personal responsibility is required. Blame is the arch enemy of personal responsibility. Therefore, blame is lame.

Million-Dollar Question:
Do you choose blame or personal responsibility?

_______________________
ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR DUNCAN NUGGET #330