Dear ,
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Welcome to Issue 264. The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships.
Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.
Did you miss a previous issue? Click here to view an Archive.
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DAVID & GOLIATH & DYSLEXIA
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In issue 262 we discussed how David's "disadvantages" became his advantages as he overcame Goliath. Today we look at another so called "disadvantage" - dyslexia, which is defined as an impaired ability to learn how to read. Experts say the cause starts when the neurons in the fetus are misdirected and become lost.
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THE YOUNG DAVID BOIES & HIS STRUGGLES
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David Boies is a dyslexic who had serious reading limitations. In fact it took him (6) hours to read just 22 pages. His mother would read entire books to him which helped him in his struggles to get out of grade school and high school. However, he had no ambition or plans for a career, which was understandable given the stigma of the "disadvantages" of being a dyslexic.
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DAVID BOIES - A LAW STUDENT?
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He was always fascinated by the law, but there are mountains of pages to read in law school. And excellent writing skills are required. His dyslexia was so severe that the "spell check" on his computer would respond with "no spelling suggestion". Then how could he ever expect to pass law school exams?
First, he read short summaries of the cases. More importantly, he had developed tremendous listening skills - remember how his devoted mother read to him. He also developed extraordinary memory skills. In law school he took no notes during class but was able to listen and memorize everything the professor said. And he graduated from Yale University!
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DAVID BOIES - THE ATTORNEY
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David knew that he could not be a Corporate or Estate attorney due to the heavy reading requirements. Even to this day it still takes him (6) hours to read just 22 pages. However he can remember exact statements that a witness made long ago. Due to his practice of memorizing what his mother read to him, he can memorize lengthy and complex legal arguments. These skills have made him a world renowned litigator. (He's been involved in such notable cases as the Microsoft anti-trusts cases in the 90's.) He is especially feared for his devastating cross-examinations.
I acknowledge as a resource Malcolm Gladwell's book David & Goliath
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EXERCISES
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This week I invite you to reflect on any so-called "disadvantages", for example:
- Lack of financial or other resources
- Health issues
- Physical appearance
- Age
- Time limitations
- Lack of experience
- Lack of family support
- Other______________.
- What "disadvantages" are you currently overcoming or want to overcome? [Keep in mind the advantages of having a so called "disadvantage"]
- What have you done in the past to help someone who had "disadvantages"?
- Think about reaching out to someone who has "disadvantages" and how you could assist that person?
Please share your reflection with me. I really would like to hear from you. |
