The Grass is "Greener"

When underdogs break the rules

Here's a really great piece from the New Yorker written by Malcolm Gladwell, that is (as always) worth taking the time to read through:

How David Beats Goliath

In the familiar Gladwell approach (Similar to Outliers, which is a great read) - He proves that success does not have to come only to those who are advantaged or naturally talented - but can be achieved by adopting a different approach, and more importantly having the will to take on the more difficult option, and put in much more effort.

As Gladwell mentions "Effort can trump ability...  because relentless effort is in fact something rarer than the ability to engage in some finely tuned act of motor coordination"

 

 

Technorati Tags: Malcolm Gladwell,Vivek Ranadivé,Coaches,Basketball,David and Goliath,Underdogs

Barrio19 on MTV - Sports Innovation

Innovation in sports is something I'm really excited about. There's one major difference between sports innovation and that in technology - In sports, the most exciting and daring breakthroughs grow bottom up - from the streets. No high R&D budgets,  fancy business plans, or VC money - Usually its based on pure talent, innovative ideas, and a whole lot of guts...

So here's a great TV show that's been airing on MTV recently (its not too often that I have good things to say about MTV programming in recent years)...

Barrio19 displays top Urban Talent - "showcasing fresh, exciting and original street skills from around the world" - These kids (well many of them are grown ups with a lot of spare time on their hands) do some amazing stuff that is very innovative, with very basic means (Urban golf, canal surfing, break dancing, biking, playing frisbee, or just walking on walls... as you can see below)

I have to admit I really envy them! Last time I tried something of the sort was around the age of 16 - end result being a very painful hospital visit... I think thats when I decided to move into technology

Tags: Barrio19, MTV, Urban, talent, extreme sports, innovation

Mondial Final, Victory Goal, Tel Aviv, Israel...

Learning Golf

I've just completed my first ever golfing experience!

 

Its actually a sport I didn't plan on starting in the coming 10 years. (hence the decision to do so was a spontaneous one, following a friend's offer to join him for a short course).

Up until today, I thought that golf is one of the most boring sports around (slow, hard to follow, and too stuck up). Well, I've been proven wrong (at least on the first two - the third yet to be proven, at least in Israel); and I am now starting to exhibit early signs of addiction (not to worry though - I doubt I'll be able to afford to pay for any more than the "10 lessons" promotional deal I got)

So why is it so addicting:

• First of all - Its being in nature - Fresh air, endless green grass stretches, silence, and solitude - which provide a unique disconnect from the real world (and its really hard to believe that such a place exists in Israel)

• Its all about learning the motion (which is extremely counter intuitive), there's endless improvement, and a great sense of satisfaction (I haven't reached that stage yet)
• Its a challenging and very competitive sport - where addiction comes through the need to achieve
• and finally, Its a place where you are forced to concentrate - leaving any other thought out of your mind (something like "try to think about nothing" without trying)

My achievements to date (1 lesson into my golfing career)

1. I am able to hit the ball

2. I manage to get it flying in the air (not more than 50m though...) - Note that its a step up from  rolling on the ground

Updates to come...

Vacation insights…

Ths is my chance to brag a bit about my skiing vacation :)

I took the week off and went skiing with my brother (& his wife) and sister (& her boyfriend)

5 insights so far:

1. If you fall head first (not a very common fall in skiing I can assure you, but nevertheless possible as I’ve proved), don’t roll your head forward. You’re bound to strain your neck...

2. If you’ve managed to strain your neck – a Jacuzzi is a great cure. Preferably one that is situated outdoors, between snow covered trees (It just happens that the 5 star hotel across the road has such Jacuzzi… so I asked them nicely if I could use it given my situation;) They were so nice that I decided some free publicity is in place – Check out here some photos of this unique spa...

3. In Austria, (and some other wonderful European countries)– Gemischte Sauna means only one thing. No swimming suit needed! …I Don’t think further explaining is required (and sorry, no photos attached)

4. The word Wifi (or internet access) is not very common when you go above 1500 meters (Solutions such as FON are not very useful around here either). So if you want to be connected – Make sure to ask for WiFi before booking your room. I’m paying 8 Euros for 60 min connection (once again, at the hotel across the road)…

(Actually come to think of it, why would anyone want to be connected when on vacation?!.. I guess that’s a topic for a future post)

5. Waking up at 7:30 am doesnt get any easier, even when there's a full skiing day ahead!

Taking a fall... And keeping the smile

I don't know if you've had a chance to see the winter Olympics this week... But there is one sport that really brings out the essence of picking yourself up after a fall - Ice Skating.

Basically, the world's best try to perform pre-rehearsed drills to the sound of bouncy music, while aiming to reach perfection. Unfortunately, many times its far from that - as happened tonight, when several couples fell and rolled over each other. The amazing thing is that the name of the game is "it ain't over till its over", and the couples have to pick themselves up (to the sound of cha cha cha) and get back into the rhythm (with a great big smile all the time). I guess they're hoping others just fall over louder.

Challenging task on the mind (and the ego)!

Its quite symbolic of other things i experience in life...

I guess next time I make a flop during a presentation to the partners - I'll know how to make the comeback ;)