The Daily Wake Up Micro Podcast

Youth Sports, We Have A Problem

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 718 - Youth Sports, We Have a Problem#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #youthsports
 
This weekend I officiated for the first time in many years and was shocked by the way coaches treated me on the sideline. It didn't matter that I was giving my best effort. They were very upset and one of them had to be held back because he wanted to fight me. It was an unreal experience that is an indication of how much trouble youth sports is in. Leave it to adults to mess up something pure and fun like youth football. 

How Do You Sleep At Night?

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 717 - How Do You Sleep at Night?#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #destiny
Typically when someone asks, "how do you sleep at night?" it's a question related to their ethics and moral compass. What if I asked you to ponder this question without the guilt. Simply put, how do you sleep at night? 
Peaceful or Restless? The answer will reveal where you are at in fulfilling the destiny planned out for your life. 

Second Half is Coming

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 716 - Second Half is Coming#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #sports #focus
 
Yesterday our elementary flag football team played our best football in the first half of the game. At half time they were celebrating a little too much for my taste. "Hey, everyone, settle down, the game isn't over" I pleaded with them. Sure enough, we played our worst half of football in the second half and barely held on to the win. 
When you have a really, really good first half; stay focused because the second half is coming. 

Facebook Memories

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 716 – Facebook Memories#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #socialmedia
Does anyone find value in Facebook anymore?  Take a look at your most recent Facebook notifications. Mine are mostly all about Facebook and nothing to do with things that could be important to me. Like posts from my friends.
It could be that after reducing my Facebook friends, they don’t post, however, I don’t think that’s it. Facebook now is all about getting you to do what they want you to do.
One thing I have noticed is my memories that come up from 11 and 12 years ago. I was late 39 getting ready to turn 40 eleven years ago and 38 heading towards 39 twelve years ago. This was a time in my life that I entered depression. When I read some of the posts, well, all of them, I am saddened by how much pain I was in. I don’t even recognize the man that made those posts. If I could go back to my 12 years ago self, I would give him a hug and tell him he matters to God even though no one else seems to notice.
Some of the posts I had to delete because it is so far removed from who I am today.
What would you tell your 11 or 12 years ago self?

Selfies and Narcissism

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 715 – Selfies and Narcissism#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #socialmedia
Narcissism is defined as excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.
Selfie is defined as a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.
Continuing with information from the book I read, The App Generation, by Howard Gardner and Katie Davis, when selfies are posted on social media and your phone buzzes because someone liked the selfie photo, the person who posted the selfie feels like someone is paying attention to them.
Narcissistic people have a fragile personality that needs constant support.
Like to tweet about yourself? Well, according to a study they share in the book, college students with high level of narcissism were more likely to tweet about themselves.
 
This is an older book, so  a lot of the study was from Facebook and one found that people with high narcissism scores were most likely to post self-promoting content and engage in high levels of social activity on Facebook.  
Some might be listening to this and think I’m a hypocrite since I post a lot of stuff that may or may not include things about me. This is where the heart of the post comes into play. I’ve always preached and believed; you produce content for the benefit of others. It could be an encouraging word, funny joke or goofy video. If your purpose for posting content is focused on the enjoyment and benefit of others you are not a narcissist.
 

Validation From Others

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 714 – Validation from Others#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #socialmedia
The definition of validation that I want to use is: Recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.
In the book, The App Generation, written by Howard Gardner and Katie Davis, they write about the impact apps have on our children. They point out that apps are not inherently benign or evil.
Consider social media apps. Social media apps are great at bringing people together yet, how great are the people that are coming together?  
The more time I spend talking to Gen Zers the more I realize how much power one person has over another. Especially between the ages of 13-16.
Is it just Gen Zers that crave validation from others? No, not at all. Adults also crave validation from others after each post.
How about you? Do you feel down or upset if your posts aren’t validated with likes, comments, or shares?
You don’t need validation from others to find happiness or success.

Your Life Isn‘t That Bad When You . . .

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 712 - Your Life Isn't That Bad When You . . . #knowTroy #DWUpodcast #perspective 
 
Change 
Your
Perspective

Take A Nap

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 611 - Take a Nap#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #afternoonnap
 
How many of you suffer from attacks by the 2:00 PM Sleep Monster?  I have a solution and it involves elevating your feet and drinking a cup of coffee (for you afternoon coffee drinkers).  

Our Two Lives

The Daily Wake Up Micro-Podcast Episode 710 - Our Two Lives#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #creatives
 
In his book, The War of Art, Steven Pressfield writes about the two lives we artists, creatives, and entrepreneurial people have: 
 The live we live 
 The unlived life
Between the two of these sits resistance. 
He continues by sharing that aspiring artists and creatives defeated by resistance share one trait: They think like amateurs and haven't yet turned pro. 
It's time to turn pro. 

Everyone You Encounter

The Daily Wake Up Micro-PodcastEpisode 709 – Everyone You Encounter#knowTroy #DWUpodcast #kindness
            Mary Kay Ash was the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics.  Mary Kay Cosmetics sells cosmetics is the sixth largest multi-level marketing company with 3 billion in revenue last year.  Mary Kay Ash made others feel important. She admitted that with everyone she meets, she visualizes a sign on them that reads: Make Me Feel Important.
How do you make others feel important?
Everyone wants to feel like they matter. It may be uncomfortable for some, however, when you are acknowledged for doing something good in front of others, it feels good right? As a coach of elementary flag football, I must remind myself to make these players feel like they are worth something important on our team. I’m thankful they have short memories.
Everyone you encounter needs to feel important. This can come with a smile; nod of the head and eye contact where appropriate. Try to notice something about them that you can point out. If I’m at a retail or grocery store and it’s busy, I point out the job they are doing after a large greeting of hello.
How about showing up to a meeting on time? That’s a really good way to show them they are important. If you are late, don’t make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. Make it a big deal and apologize.
Finally, as I’ve said many times, finding the gold in others will help them feel like they are important. It’s your job to find the gold, then praise them for what gold they have.  Can’t find it? Keep looking. It’s there.