OT: Anyone Reading Greg Harden’s Book - Stay Sane?
Started reading Greg Harden’s book - Stay Sane in and Insane World
Anyone else reading it. Thoughts? Reactions?
If you have not yet picked it up, I highly recommend it. He presents is information in short chapters. He gets to the point and does not labor over the same message. He allows the information to breathe. I have been enjoying the way that the book is contracted and the connections and stories from former Michigan athletes and the program is a fun bonus!
August 18th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Got it Tuesday when it came out, haven't had the chance to crack it open yet. I hope to do so this weekend!
August 18th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
Thanks for the reminder, been meaning to order it.
August 18th, 2023 at 12:20 PM ^
I intend to get it, but here's what works well for me:
1. Absolutely no social media (EDIT: unless its MgoBlog)
2. Don't watch any MSM unless you absolutely have to
3. Stay away from politics
4. Profit
August 18th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
I am similar, though I would revise #1 to Minimize interaction on social media. Technically Mgoblog could be considered social media, and I don’t see that you’re avoiding that seeing as you’re here. However, what you need to avoid it the extreme negative interactions on social media and getting into an online fight. It’s toxic for your mental health for sure.
Even if you limit your #1 to the typical platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, IG, TikTok, etc) I would still say those are ok as long as you’re not consumed by them. I have read several news stories that broke on Twitter. I just don’t interact and get into Twitter wars. That’s how I do it.
To each his own, and you’re certainly in a good spot if you truly do adhere to no social media.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
I see what you are saying. I'll update my #1 accordingly. But I'm not on Facebook, IG, TT, X, etc. etc. I will not let my kids on these platforms either.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:29 PM ^
100% with you on that. No way in hell I’m letting my kids on those platforms.
August 18th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
100% agree with you with having my own kids on social media.
These kids never get a break from each other.
August 18th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
We had a little incident at my daughter's school last year, where they were using FB to communicate schedules etc. My wife is on FB sparingly, but we both agree that FB should be used in moderation. And my daughter is still too young to even have a smart phone or have FB account. But I spoke up and said that you need to find something different than FB to communicate schedules because I'm not on it and thus will miss all communications. They asked me to join FB and I said in a nice way "Fuck No!". There was some back and forth that got a little contentious, but much to my surprise, I got a lot of support from other families. So no more FB. They use some combination of email and an app called Seesaw.
August 18th, 2023 at 4:51 PM ^
Good on you for that. FB shouldn’t be used for that. Seesaw is fine, I’ve seen other platforms too, but they’re specifically designed for that type of format.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
Completely agree with number two. I think it's important to see MSNBC, Fox, et al. for what they really are (ways to sell ads, mostly, more than is the case with other media).
August 19th, 2023 at 7:28 AM ^
I just take all of that for what it is...
Social media, whenever my timeline gets out of balance, I'll just fuck with the algorithms by only looking at, stopping on, liking, etc. the things I want to see and blocking anything I don't like.
You curate your timeline, I've never understood how people forget that.
Social media is like if I walked up to you and told you, "everything I'm going to tell you is a lie, biased, fake, exaggerated, dramatized, or a combination of all of those." And then you believed every word.
lol, social media has NEVER been an accurate representation of truth. It was just more fun, simpler, etc.
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MSM - it comes with a huge slant, but what doesn't? Anything told from someone else has bias. I feel the same way about religion. I'm not saying it's wrong...I even pray (more as meditation), but CNN and Fox are just as susceptible to bias and one person's perspective as a pastor, preacher, etc.
I just take everything for what it is. Someone's opinion or interpretation...including my own.
People are just lazy and aren't willing to do the work to parce through the noise.
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Politics - see MSM. Although, I personally, don't like politics because I don't like most politicians or the systems they've established.
But I also laugh at people who think someone starting a thread about a getting a COVID booster is being political.
Politics are only everything to the people who allow everything to be political.
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Profit. I don't understand Wall St. or economic trends. I should've paid more attention in class, but they lost me after Alegbra II.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
Several years ago, I downloaded an app called Ground News. It’s more of a news aggregator, but I tells you if the reporting is slated one way or the other. I prefer my news to be “just the facts ma’am” so it only feeds me those publications for a particular news event.
Far too often, MSM tells you some facts about an event, then tell you how you should feel about said event and if you don’t feel that exact same way, then you are the problem.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Is there anything specific you like about it? Your description and the one on Amazon are vague and the kind you see on the dustjacket of any other self-help book.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:36 PM ^
Information is allowed to breathe like a expertly decanted cabernet. The writing has chocolatey notes and hints of woodsmoke. Pair it with lamb and root vegetables.
August 18th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
Or..
August 18th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
Honestly, just started it two nights ago, but been really impressed so far. Not sure I can put a finger on anything specific, but again, I need to read further.
I was also looking to connect with others reading to get their initial reactions.
If you have read other business leadership/self-help books, I think you will find this to be a different style that has really resonated well with me. He doesn't labor over the same point - he gets in and gets out and then closes the chapter, which I think gives me time to reflect on the point and idea (or what I referred to as breathe).
August 18th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Sounds like you want an mgoblog book club!
August 18th, 2023 at 5:05 PM ^
I've been doing a training on Sports Social Work at the UM athletic dept. and it's been quite interesting. Harden was the featured lecturer for one of our sessions and he was really personable and insightful. He did an interview discussion with Warde Manuel and they concluded (though it was a theme throughout) with a talk about activism and personal development. Basically encouraging student athletes to understand what they're advocating for and how to communicate it most effectively. In the training we also heard from Abigail O'Connor, Trente Jones, and a lot of other interesting folks.
My overall impression is that the Michigan Athletic Department's leadership is strongly informed by whole-person development concepts rooted in social work practices, which aligns perfectly with how they've navigated recruiting in the NIL era.* Double edged sword for those who'd prefer things to be more geared towards winning at all costs.
* In fact, I just remembered that the "transformational not transactional" tagline is directly lifted from the "transformational coaching" concepts that were highlighted in the training.
August 18th, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
I have been trying for many years to get a copy of the guidebook Greg Harden has been using with the athletes at the University of MIchigan. Apparently, I missed the email blast.
I will get the book in the very near future. I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov so it may be a while before I read it.
Edit: I hope to get a signed copy in Clarkston at Inscribe Books on Monday.
August 19th, 2023 at 3:37 AM ^
Not sure why but I’ve never heard of him. Sounds like an interesting book.
August 19th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Haven’t read that one but there is another decent non-fiction (a little self help at the end) book that I read recently that cam out about 8 months ago that I found interesting, “The Myth of Normal” by Mate. Definitely worth checking out too if you’re interested in learning how a doctor has dissected the craziness of our current social political system in Western culture.
August 19th, 2023 at 6:22 PM ^
Big fan of Gabor Mate. Has some outstanding YouTube lectures and discussions.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:31 PM ^
I got my signed copy today (plus two as gifts). Greg Harden took a moment to work through a personal inspiration to me. That man is always coaching, non-stop helping people think straight. He is for real.