Two Insights, One Quote, Some Food for Thought, and a Recipe to Try

Who needs me on my A game right now?

One of the strategies that Brendan Burchard mentions in his book "High Performance Habits" is to ask yourself, "Who needs me on my A game right now?"

This strategy is designed to help you cultivate a sense of necessity by focusing on the people in your life who rely on you to perform at your best. Burchard suggests that by identifying those who depend on you, whether it's your family, your team, or your clients, you can tap into a powerful sense of purpose and motivation.

To implement this strategy, start by making a list of the people in your life who need you on your A game. These could be people who rely on you at work, in your personal life, or in your community. Once you have identified who they are, consider how your actions or performance impact them. What would happen if you didn't show up as your best self? How would it affect them?

By connecting with the impact your actions have on others, you can tap into a deeper sense of purpose and motivation. You can remind yourself of why your work or your goals matter and how they contribute to the well-being of those around you. This can help you overcome obstacles and setbacks and keep you focused on the big picture.

This is a strategy I am currently integrating into my daily practice for cultivating a sense of necessity in my life. By identifying those who rely on me and understanding the impact my actions have on them, I can tap into a deeper sense of purpose and motivation that can drive me to perform at my very best.

Return on Investment

As school level administrators we make decisions about how to allocate resources, and as such we must consider the potential ROI of each investment. For example, if a school is considering investing in sending teachers to a conference, administrators should consider how the knowledge gained will impact student outcomes and whether the expected ROI justifies the investment of taxpayer dollars.

Measuring the ROI of educational programs and initiatives can be challenging, as it is not always easy to quantify the impact that these investments have on student achievement. However, there are a few key metrics that can be used to assess the ROI of educational investments, including:

1. Student Achievement: One of the most critical metrics for measuring ROI in education is student achievement. This can be measured using a variety of assessments, including standardized tests, student portfolios, and performance tasks. By tracking student achievement, school administrators can determine whether the investments they are making are having a positive impact on student learning outcomes.

2. Cost Savings: In addition to improved student achievement, investments in education can also result in cost savings for the community. For example, initiatives that improve graduation rates can reduce the need for remedial education and may lead to lower rates of crime and incarceration. These cost savings can be factored into the overall ROI calculation.

3. Community Impact: Finally, it is important to consider the broader impact that educational investments have on the community as a whole. For example, initiatives that improve graduation rates and academic achievement can lead to a more educated workforce, which can attract businesses and improve the overall economic health of the community.

Ultimately, when school level administrators make decisions about how to allocate taxpayer dollars, they must consider the potential ROI of each investment. By prioritizing investments that are likely to have a positive impact on student achievement, cost savings, and the broader community, administrators can ensure that they are making the most effective use of taxpayer dollars and delivering the best possible outcomes for students and the community as a whole.

Inspirational Quote

“The man who moves a mountain begins carrying away small stones.” -Confucius

Question to Ponder

I think the best question to ask, is

Who needs me on my A game today?

Recipe to Try

Here's a recipe for Shrimp Pad Thai that you can try:

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. dried rice noodles

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 shallot, minced

• 1 red chili, sliced

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste

• 1 tablespoon palm sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup bean sprouts

• 2 green onions, sliced

• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, or until softened. Drain and set aside.

2. In a wok or large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over high heat. Add the garlic, shallot, and red chili, and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

3. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through. Push the shrimp to the side of the wok or skillet.

4. Add the beaten egg to the empty space in the wok or skillet, and scramble until cooked through.

5. Add the softened rice noodles, roasted peanuts, fish sauce, tamarind paste, palm sugar, paprika, and salt to the wok or skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through and everything is well combined.

6. Add the bean sprouts and green onions, and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, or until the bean sprouts are just wilted.

7. Serve the Shrimp Pad Thai with lime wedges on the side.

I added more palm sugar for taste. Enjoy your delicious Shrimp Pad Thai!