National Education Association – National Teacher Day

On National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education. This year’s event takes place on May 4, 2010.

NEA – National Teacher Day

Global Youth Service Day April 23-25 2010

Tomorrow millions of children and youth around the the world will celebrate and honor the young people who improve their communities through service and service-learning. 

Global Youth Service Day | Youth Changing The World – April 23-25 2010

Q&A: Your Amazing Words of Truth

Q: Hey Mr. Duncan, I was recently at two of your motivational speakings and I didn’t feel comfortable asking my question aloud. So here it is:

You got my attention when you spoke about what you’ve been through. I’ve also been through a lot, one exactly like you. And I’ve never told anyone about it, not even my mother.

I am an A+ student but I feel so much pressure to be better than average from others. I get up and down, my grades slip but I always manage to pull off a good grade. I plan on attending college and I know that I won’t always be able to pull off this stunt in college. I have dreams and the people who pressure me the most always throw me down by telling me I can’t or you think so… I explain everything, but I really need some of your amazing words of truth.

—Michelle J., Alpha School

Duncan Nugget® #145: The New “Average”

How was the food? It was good.

How was the movie? It was good.

Can she sing? She’s good.

Nowadays, good is not good enough.

Have you noticed that when people are truly impressed and they really like something they use words other than “good”? They say things like “really good”, “soooo good”, great, incredible, hot, amazing, exceptional, “wow” and of course, awesome! Sometimes they make up words and phrases.

How was the movie? Oh my God! It was like totally awesome. 

Can she sing? She ain’t no joke. She got mad skills.

How was the food? It was Fi! (That’s how young people in Atlanta say that something is “fire”, which means “awesome”.)

In order to build a durable, competitive advantage you need to be more than good. You want to be exceptional.

Good is the new “average”.

Million-Dollar Question: 
What are you doing to be better than “good”?

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Youth Service America Grant Programs

“Youth Service America supports and motivates youth, educators, and service-learning coordinators by distributing over 400 micro grants each year for service and service-learning initiatives.”

“While most of the grants support projects that culminate on Global Youth Service Day in April, funding is also available for projects in the fall.”

YSA Grant Programs | YSA

Interview Question: How do you know when…?

A powerful question to ask someone you meet in a professional setting, especially during an interview, is:

How do you know when you have the ideal (person/client/product/service) for this position/company?

(Excerpt from Million-Dollar Networking Questions)

Duncan Nugget® #72: How Do You Define Yourself?

People act consistent with who they believe they are.

THINK about that.

If you define yourself as being exceptional then you act like it. If your self-definition is based on mediocrity then you act like it.

Exceptional individuals live in high definition. They have an accurate, internal picture of who they are and what their purpose is.

An inaccurate self-definition will eventually lead to self-sabotage.

When you’re confused about your behavior, figuring out your self-definition will help you pinpoint the cause and make sense of what’s going on. It’s hard to make lasting, positive changes and maximize potential when you don’t have a clear understanding of how you define you.

Million-Dollar Question: 
How do you truly define yourself
and who or what influenced your definition?