Fast Five Plus: Diamandis in the Rough

1. "If it bleeds, it leads." We are inundated with distortions in many directions. Peter Diamandis (above) discusses causes for optimism and the need for solution-based thinking. As coaches, we solve problems of technique, tactics, and motivation daily.  

2. Tim Ferriss profiles Diamandis in a chapter in Tools of Titans. He quotes Diamandis remarking, "what's your moonshot?" Diamandis is responsible for originating the XPRIZE, a global competition for pushing limits of technology.

3. Diamandis suggests that we inspire people not just to change themselves but to strive to change the world. When we work with young people, we have the responsibility to grow the whole person, not just the player. 

4. He advocates each of us to review each night what three things we have accomplished today. 

5. Two questions that Diamandis recommends we ask:
- "Why do I think this is important?"
- "If I had a billion dollars to spend, what would I spend it on?" 

With respect to sports and girls, athletics improves girls' health by reducing cancer risk, improves bone density, and decreases mental health issues. Sports participation decreases truancy, improves academic performance, and decreases teen pregnancy. 

If I had a billion dollars, I'd work on two projects - encouraging reading globally ("education changes behavior") and work to improve clean water availability. Clean water is essential to reducing disease and to agriculture. 

6. Become familiar with "Peter's Laws"...28 principles.

Here are a couple: 

1. If anything can go wrong, fix it!
7. When in doubt: THINK!
18.The ratio of something to nothing is infinite. 
22.If you can't measure it, you can't improve it.