Have any of you ever watched the American Ninja Warrior? This week as I watched those who were attempting to navigate the difficult and demanding course I actually starting thinking about our book we are reading.  I noticed that all of the competitors had something in common even those who failed to complete the course. Which to be honest is most of them.  After they climbed out of the water (from the fall) or while they were being interviewed they made some of the following comments. 

"I guess I need to train harder", "That was an extremely hard obstacle, but I enjoyed the challenge", "I guess I need to work on my grip strength", "My balance just wasn't what it needed to be so I will work harder in the gym", "The course gets harder every year so I need to train harder."

Those are just a few examples but almost all of the competitors said something similar.  Can you tell what is the same?

They all took responsibility and put the burden on themselves.  Not one said, that obstacle wasn't fair, or if my finger wasn't injured I could have make it across ect...  I never hear any excuses and I never hear any blame not even those competitors who were competing with a disability.  

For some reason as I watched all I could think about was how many times I make excuses or look to place blame in situations that I feel I have not be successful in or have failed.  Many of those who compete have trained for years and then maybe their foot slips on the first obstacle and they say things like, "I guess I need to train harder."  

I want to be that type of person who enjoys the challenge, who takes responsibility for failure and then vows to TRAIN HARDER every year!

Chapters13 and 14 have some of my favorite quotes.
"Great teachers intentionally arrange, rearrange, alter, and adjust the structures that frame their teaching."
"Great teachers have a plan and purpose for everything they do."
"Great teachers base every decision on the best people."

My favorite quote from Chapter 11 is "Great teachers work hard to keep their relationships in good repair to avoid personal hurt and to repair any possible damage." TW continues to stress that the teacher is the deciding element and that great teachers try to treat people respectfully every day!  He goes on to say that even if they don't need to repair they always do.
Chapter 12 looked at the Great Teachers ability to ignore.  (Meaning they pick their battles and they know when to take a stand and when to let things go.)  TW shared that, "You can look for trouble or you can look away" and great teachers know when to do which.