Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

The Power Of Rules - Petty, Petty, Petty Rules


In 2004 a group of seven spoilt and often aggressive British teenagers were sent to a working ranch in Utah called "Turn-About Ranch" to undergo a regime of strict discipline and hard work.

The vast majority of successful Brat Camps are in Utah, a state which takes morality seriously and has strict laws to enforce good behaviour.

The parents of the teenagers were miserable and frightened by the behaviour of their offspring but hoped that their stay in Utah would turn their lives around.

The kids were faced with strict rules like:

? Do not speak until you are spoken to

? Do not lie down during the day time. You may only sit or stand. You must stay awake all day long.

? Do not smoke or drink

? Do not wear jewellery and have only one colour for your hair

? Do not swear or have sex.

? Do not answer back

The ranch is run by cowboys who believe that the best form of therapy is hard work.

One of the cowboys said: "I am no psychologist or Phd. I don't hold a degree in nothing but cowboy. That's it."

They teach the kids the ways of the Wild West and believe that a strict regime of chores, tough rules and harsh punishments can turn bad kids into good kids.

Following the rules starts as the 7 brats arrive at the airport in the strict state of Utah. The kids are told to stay together or they will be handcuffed together.

One of the welcome committee tells them not to laugh at the order to stay together:

"I will give you respect if you give it to me. I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If you can obey orders you will be fine."

After a week or so, Josh, one of the magnificent seven, comments:

"Some of the most petty, petty, petty rules I've heard of. It really is quite tedious."

They are told to just follow the rules and not question them.

Discipline begins with following the rules of others even if they seem petty but it continues with creating and following one's own rules.

It is no accident that the Brat Camps stress following rules. Rules seem petty and inconvenient and designed to get up your nose but they can be the secret to a happy and joyful life.

Without rules about speed limits, accidents are more likely. Without rules, most games would become meaningless.

Without rules, we are at the mercy of whatever feeling or whim we happen to have. Without rules, life as we know it would not exist. We would be back in the jungle where the only rule is survival.

Even our own rules seem petty when we don't feel like following them. However, our own rules can turn us into powerful people who are capable of controlling our lives.

If we can follow our own rule of going for at least one walk a day even when we don't feel like it, we will be fitter and healthier. If we can follow our own rule of not having sugar with our tea or coffee we will be slimmer and more energetic and so on.

The rules will seem petty but following them with only rare exceptions will mean fast progress and achievement in all parts of our lives.

Like the brats, we need to accept the petty, petty, petty, rules that can transform our lives.

Resource box

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep the resource box as it is.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

'Chip on shoulder' gave Tim Brown motivation to become Rutgers' No. 1 wide ...
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Noah K. Murray/The Star-ledgertim Brown has managed to make the catches for Rutgers despite being 5-8, like this touchdown ...



Wildcats use last year's game as motivation, lesson
Oregon Daily Emerald
When the Arizona Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pacific-10 Conference) visited Autzen Stadium last year they found themselves down two ...

and more »


CBC.ca

With motivation from Pierce, Rondo turned up his game against Warriors
Providence Journal
By ROBERT LEE BOSTON – When Rajon Rondo entered training camp, the Celtics wanted him to show that he could be a consistent star night in and night out. ...
Perkins Talking Bout Practice, Practice!Hardwood Houdini (blog)
Rivers looks inward for answers to woesBoston Globe

all 509 news articles »


al.com

Florida embracing criticism over lack of scoring punch
The News Herald
“Obviously you don't like hearing a lot of criticism, but sometimes we can use it as motivation. Why can't we do this or why can't we do that, ...
Gators are ready to make the season's final pushGatorsports.com
Fans eye a farewell to TebowGainesville Sun
The League: Revelry and rivalryGatorsports.com

all 211 news articles »


MiamiHerald.com

Smokers get motivation to quit from great American Smokeout
TopNews United States
This Thursday is the Great American Smoke Out, which is being used for more than 30 years to help aid them in quitting smoking. As per a survey conducted by ...
Activists target city's high rate of smokingWorcester Telegram

all 528 news articles »


Albany Times Union

OUR LEAGUE: Plenty of motivation for Clemson
Charlottesville Daily Progress
... a season-opening loss, a win in the last home game of the season and the last ACC game of the season and Senior Day, to name some motivating factors. ...
Gameday preview: Clemson vs. VirginiaThe State

all 558 news articles »


Pokes are out for revenge against Boise State
Casper Star-Tribune Online
Third-year coach Heath Schroyer's biggest obstacle this week may have been in convincing his team that they didn't need that type of motivation. ...

and more »


Buffs: Plenty of motivation
Longmont Daily Times-Call
BOULDER — Don't ask the players in the Colorado football program about the future. They don't know. And they really don't want to discuss ...

and more »


Psychology Today (blog)

The Myths of Intrinsic-Extrinsic Motivation
Psychology Today (blog)
Back in 1975 Edward Deci, Mark Lepper, and their colleagues proposed that rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. In contrast, Len Sushinsky and I argued ...



SportingNews.com

10-Pack: Fuel for the Week 11 fires
SportingNews.com
Over his 12-year career, Patriots receiver Randy Moss has made a habit of responding to external sources of motivation by having big games. ...

and more »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.