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If you want to perform better under pressure, read this;
The Yerkes-Dodson Law is a simple model of the relationship between performance and stress.Source; TwitterIt was created in 1908 by psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson, who formulated their conclusions on the basis of the study of Japanese dancing mice.
In simple terms, the Yerkes-Dodson Law says that stress and performance are positively correlated, but only up to a certain point, after which more stress reduces performance.Anecdotally, this probably checks out for most people:
We like to procrastinate a bit on big projects or tasks.The pressure of the deadline gets us into a focused state that pushes us through to the finish.
If we procrastinate too much, the pressure becomes overwhelming and our performance suffers as the deadline approaches.
We perform better in the game than during the practice.The bit of added stress—from the bright lights of the arena—elevates our performance.
But if the situation gets too pressure-filled, we may start to crumble.
There are effectively three states of stress to be aware of:Low Stress:This is a state of low arousal.
This state is necessary for recovery, but it is generally not conducive to performance.
Working on important tasks while in this state is not ideal.
Optimal Stress:This is the optimal state of arousal.
It’s the “Goldilocks” level—not too hot, not too cold, just right.
When you’re in this state, you are well-positioned to work on important tasks.
High Stress:This is a state of high arousal.
This is typically where we see a biological fight-or-flight response kick in.
It may lead to a complete shutdown from system overload.
Working on important tasks while in this state is not ideal.
As you think about optimizing your own performance, mapping your curve is an important first step.For a week, log your levels of stress while completing various activities through an average day, and then log your relative performance on these activities.
Look for trends.Create a mental map of your curve—develop an awareness of where you are on the curve at any point in time.
When working on important tasks, leverage this awareness to spend more time in an optimal stress state and less time in a low or high-stress state.
Importantly, while the three general states are the same for everyone, the absolute levels of stress that place you into a state can be different.Lewis Hamilton is capable of performing at an optimal level under much higher relative stress than an average knowledge worker.
There are countless examples of athletes who seem to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments—Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Tiger Woods come to mind.There are genetic factors at play, but you can also train yourself to handle and manage stress more efficiently:
Place yourself into controlled stressful environments and work on managing your mental and physical faculties.Example: Get into a cold shower or ice bath and see if you can focus and perform a mental task (simple math, reciting a poem, etc.) for a fixed period of time.
This type of training may flatten the right side of your curve—slow the decay in your performance—enabling you to perform in a wider variety of situations.Learning to manage stress is the first step.
Learning to wield it as a weapon in your personal arsenal is the next step.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of pressure and performance—and a path to leveraging pressure to your advantage.
One additional note:The years of training under a variety of stress loads is one of the reasons I believe athletes tend to make great hires.
They are literally trained to handle and manage stress and perform through it.
The same note applies to ex-military/veterans!Practice Questions In Leader And The Led By Niyi Osundare; Students can also source across the internet in search for other questions on the poem Leader and the led by Niyi Osundare.
Also keep the conversation going by commenting answers and also dropping your own questions.
1. Examine the poet’s mood in the poem.
The poet is Niyi Osundare, so proper understanding of who he is as a person will be helpful in relation to his mood in the poem
2. How does the poet treat the theme of struggle for political power at the central government in the poem?
3. Discuss the effective use of satire in ” the leader and the lead.”
4. How does poor governance contribute to poverty in the poem.
5. Examine the theme of corruption in this poem.
6. Examine the use of symbolism in ” the leader and the led.
7. Examine the poet’s use of diction in the poem.
8. Comment on” the leader and the led” as a protest against the unnecessary struggle for the political power at the central government.
9. In what ways does poor governance affect the lives of the poor people in the country as exemplified in the poem Leader and the led?
10. Comment on the style and theme of ” the leader and the led. ”
Thanks for reading Practice Questions In Leader And The Led By Niyi Osundare. Don’t forget to engage this topic.
Poetic Devices In The Poem Leader And The Led By Niyi Osundare;
Structure
The poem is made up of (12) twelve stanza of two lines each. Ina stanza 1(one) the lion States his manifesto and intends to contest for the leadership position of the animals pack. However, in stanza 2 (two) the antelopes fault ” the ferocious pounce of his paws.” Which is not required of a leadership at that level.
Similarly, In stanza 3, the hyena express his wish to contest for the highest office in the group. Whereas, “the impalas shudder” and his lethal appetite is seem by the other animals.
As a challenge to his candidacy, in stanza 4, the giraffe, another leadership candidate campaigns to be elected as the leader of the pack. He is disqualified on the promise that his eyes “are too far from the ground.”
In stanza 5, the zebra joins the race for leadership position at the centre. The group ” points to the duplicity of his stripes” as a major a factor for his disqualification. Furthermore, in stanza 6, the elephant, the biggest of the pack, sees his size as an added advantage to the claim of leader position of the group.” But is colleagues dread his trampling feet “. Accordingly, his is disqualified from the leadership race.
Also, the warthog and rhino in stanza 7, are also asked to withdraw from the leadership contest because of their ugliness and riotous nature respectively. In stanza 8, the political struggle between the members of the pack, for the leadership position at the centre. Makes the group to look ” like a snake without a head”.
In stanza 9, there, is a call for hybrid of habits by the sage in the Forrest, As a result, in stanza 10, they is a call for caution by some wise member of the pack. For a leader who is ” A little bit of lion” and a “little bit of lamp.” Such a leader is viewed as having the capacity to lead the (members of the pack) and bring about positive development in the animal pack.
In stanza 11, the qualities of a good leader is further highlighted. The wise ones, further state that the he should be “tough like a tiger, compassionate like a doe.” Besides, he must be transparent ” like a river, mysterious like a lake.” In stanza 12, the pack demands and resolve to vote for ” A leader who knows how to how to follow ” and has the ability to make the” followers mindful of their right to lead.”
Style
Diction: the poet prefers the literary device of satire, using the animals pack to symbolize the political struggle for power at the central government. Niyi is advocating for the best leader either from the minority or the majority linguistic group. As long as the leader has the capacity and ability to ensure good followers hip and leads the country towards positive development.
Mood: the poet’s mood is that of disappointment, following the poor governance of the country, that is rich in human and natural resources.
Tone: the poem has the tone of ” calls for hybrid of habits ” as advocated by the forest sage. The poet subscribes to ” A leader who knows how to follow the followers and ” mindful of their right to lead. ”
Satire: Niyi employs the literary device of satire, like George Orwell of the ” animals farm”. He satirizes the political struggle for the control of the central government, by the linguistic groups I the country, Nigeria. He does not see the need for Nigerians to celebrate their best leaders after their death.
He appeal to the major ethnic groups in the nation, not to see governance at the centre, as a do or die political struggle. Hence, the electoral empire should be allowed to conduct a free and fair elections and campaigns devoid of the use of money to influence the choice of votes to elect their major leaders. Consequently, the leader can be from the minority or the majority linguistic group.
Symbolism: it is very obvious to the reader, that the poet applies the literary device of symbolism in the poem. Niyi uses the animals pack struggle for leadership of their group to symbolize the political human struggle for the control of power at the central government.
Repetition: there is the use of repetition in lines 19 and 20 ” A little of ….. ” these lines are repeated for the purpose of emphasizing the kind of quality that is expected of the desired leader.
Alliteration: this literary device is used in lines:
4″… Pounce of his paws
10 “the pack points.. ”
14 ” the rhino too riotous”
16 “….hybrid of habits”
19 “a little bit of a lion”
20″ a little bit of a lamb ”Simile: the literary device is used for comparison. Example are: lines
21 “tough like a tiger, compassionate like a dove”
22 ” transparent like a river, mysterious like a lake”Personification: Niyi personifies the Animals pack by giving them human quality, in the act and struggle for the control of the central government.
Evaluation/ judgement
This poem is Niyi’s protest about the poor governance in his country, Nigeria. He feels it high time someone talks about it, though everybody knows about it. The rate of crime and criminalities is worrisome and the poor feels the pains and suffering more.The Leader and the Led is a poem of twenty-four lines arranged into twelve stanzas each with two lines; an overall of twelve couplets. A stanza of two lines is called a couplet, remember? I guess you wouldn’t forget that so easily.
Beyond its form, the poem theorises the necessary embodiments of a leader. The poem begins with the picture of an animal gathering in their quest for one who would be their leader. Some animals “stake their claim to the leadership” position; lion, hyena, giraffe, zebra, elephant, warthog, and rhino all said “it’s their right to lead”. But the colleagues (that they want to rule) only picked out their faults and flaws instead. When they could not see a flawless and perfect leader to pick, the Forest Sage calls their attention to what they need in a leader.
In Lines 1-2, the lion “stakes his claim” to the leadership position but the antelopes (lines 3-4) remember his “ferocious pounce” on them. A leader does not feed on his subjects; thus, the lion is ruled out.
In Lines 5-6, the hyena claims “the crown” is his to take but “the impalas shudder” at his brutality and “lethal appetite” only satiated by their kinds. A leader does not oppress his subjects; hence the hyena too is disqualified.
In Lines 7-8, the giraffe tries his luck. He “craves a place in the fault”. However, in his case, “his eyes” are said to be “too far from the ground”. A leader ought to be close to his subjects, see what they go through and share in their experience. An animal that would be distant to their everyday experiences would not do for a leader.
In Lines 9-10, the zebra comes next but “the pack points to the duplicity of his stripes” which suggests his crookedness and double-dealing. One who is not forthright cannot make a good leader.
In Lines 11-12, the elephant “trudges into the power tussle” but “his trampling feet” puts him at a disadvantage. Guess no animal wants to be crushed under those heavy feet.
In Lines 13-14, the warthog and the rhino run lose becoming favourites in the contention on the basis of their “ugliness” and “riotousness” respectively.
In Lines 15-24, the gathering of animals is unable to come to a conclusion on whom to choose as their leader. “The pack trashes around like a snake without a head” until the Forest Sage comes to its rescue. The Forest Sage declares that the leader they need should be “a hybrid of habits.” He should take a little of a lamb’s meekness and a little of a lion’s fierceness. He should be “tough like a tiger” and “compassionate like a doe”. He should be “transparent like a river” and “mysterious like a lake”. The Forest Sage finally concludes that they need a leader who knows how to secure legitimacy and trust and from his followers and also respect their opinions.
Theme(s)
He main theme of this poem is the struggle for political power and relevance at the centre of government by the major linguistic groups in the country. It is simply a rat race for the oil money and political power. The rulers in civilian flowing clothing, have shown that they are as venal as the military in power .they cash – in on the level of abject poverty at the rural area, to perpetuate their vote buying and Even use foodstuff to “win” themselves into power. Anyone who is poor in the country is faceless, nameless and voiceless. As a result, he can easily be manipulated by the unscrupulous power hungry politicians with money.
The Nigeria’s battered image is an continuous state of flying half-mast as a mourning flag, for the political process that throws up the imposed rulers. The best ruler are denied the opportunity to prove themselves at the central stage of governance. In the words of Catholic bishop kukah, “Nigerian rulers are simple accidentail tourist”. The canonization of the wrong political process in voting the rulers of this country, leads to the proliferation of poverty in the midst of plenty oil money. Since the rulers are poor in the art of governance, they help to create ” mystery index” by making some Nigerians miserable to the extent of committing murder without thinking twice.
Niyi also explores the theme of poor governance and poor followership. The satirical poem symbolized by the animals, examine the process of electing a good leader in power at the Central government. Besides, it also sees the need for the leader to have the ability to follow the ” follower mindful of their right to led”. Nothing is wrong with the geographical area occupied by Nigeria yesterday, today and in the future. The country is simply a victim of years of poor governance, which flow throw the political process and election of the ruler at the centre of government. Poor governance has affected the national orientation of most Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots.This group of Nigerians have accepted the fall-out of bad governance, lawlessness, bad behavior and corruption exhibited by the political rulers Even in national television, as part of the nation’s culture and way of life. It is a reproach to region and government to suffer much poverty and excess” William Penn. Poor governance breeds poverty and very persons super magally rich, from the common wealth of oil resources.
There is also the theme of corruption, a fallout of poor governance. It weakens the socio-economic system and brings about unemployment with other related crimes. It is a known fact that the epileptic power supply has crippled the industrialization of the nation. The cost of generating power to provide service and manufacturer manufacture goods, has forced many manufacturing companies to relocate to nearby countries. It is a great irony that some of these countries get their power supply from this country. Corruption has not allowed Nigerians to enjoy the use of electricity for service delivery, production of goods, entertainment and personal enjoyment.
The problem of power supply is as old as Nigeria, with no solution in sight. A poorly paid worker will resort to sharp corrupt practice to survive in a tough economic situation. The level of inflation is on increase and workers salaries can not take them home. Besides, there is huge disparity between the nation’s economic situation and living standard of Nigerians.
THE LEADER AND THE LED
The Lion stakes his claim
To the leadership of the packBut the Antelopes remember
The ferocious pounce of his pawsThe hyena says the crown is made for him
But the Impalas shudder at his lethal appetiteThe Giraffe craves a place in the front
But his eyes are too far from the groundWhen the Zebra says it’s his right to lead
The pack points to the duplicity of his stripesThe Elephant trudges into the power tussle
But its colleagues dread his trampling feetThe warthog is too ugly
The rhino too riotousAnd the pack thrashes around
Like a snake without a head“Our need calls for a hybrid of habits”,
Proclaims the Forest Sage,“A little bit of a Lion
A little bit of a LambTough like a tiger, compassionate like a doe
Transparent like a river, mysterious like a lakeA leader who knows how to follow
Followers mindful of their right to lead”Who Is Niyi Osundare?
Professor Niyi Osundare is a popular Nigerian poet known for his simplicity, apt imageries and powerful use of symbolisms in his poems.
This particular poem, through the use of symbolisms, explores the topical issue of leadership. In “The Leader and the Led”, Osundare foregrounds the prerequisites for holding a leadership position.
Niyi Osundare (born in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria, in 1947) is an essayist, writer for the theatre, lecturer and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated poet.
He has published 18 volumes of poetry, several plays, essays, articles and criticism. Previously a professor at the English Institute of the University of Ibadan, he is currently Distinguished Professor of English at the University of New Orleans.
Whats Is The Difference Between A Blog And A Website
A chronologicallisting of blog posts. A commenting system that invites readers to participate inthe communicationand leave behind comments. Blog posts are archived by date, category,author, and sub-categories. (Really Simple Syndication) feeds for posts and/or comments for feed-readers like Feedly, etc.A homepage that displays content fromseveral sections ofinternal websitepages. A design portfolio of work.
A blog might bea partof a website, butnot the only thing. A Frequently asked questions page that readers canbrowse toget more information. A page of client testimonials and feedback. Company’s terms and privacy statements pages. A Contact form that allows visitorsto get intouch.
A services/products page that displays what they have to offer for the visitors.
Authored By Srikanth AN A Shouter whose articles got mentions from the likes ofTheNew York Times, Kiss metrics and All Top Stories.He writes articles, novels and poems ;spends most of histime readingeverything he could get his hands on. Srikanth is currently pursuinghis Masters fromThe University of Illinois and holds a Bachelors in Electronics Engineeringfrom the University of Mumbai.He is a programmer,a motivational writer andspeaker.
The article is intended to be informational purposes,and not with the intent of taking a stab at the internet. I believe everyone is a noob at anything, as there is always something more tolearn than what youknewbefore.So, the first thing younotice after you wander around the internet for a few hours is that you notice tons of websites and blogs sprawling petabytes of bandwidth.
The first question that arises to many of them is what exactly a website is and what is a blog ?Many of them tendto confuse onewith the other and interpret ananswer oftheir own will. So,let’s just clear the air and reveal the difference between a blog and a website.
The basic difference between a blog and a websiteis theoretically the differencein how data is being presented – the format. Apart from that, in practicality there is a fine line between a blog and a website, not much toponderabout however.There is somekey differences betweenthem and the=is should clarify as towhat youshould gowith for creating and publishing your content.
NOTE:Please don’t ask which is the easiest way to make money. Because there is none. It takes a lot of patience,persistence and hardwork to make money on the internet.What is a Blog?
A blog is basically a web log that a blogger makes use for chronological listing of blog posts .A blog has the most recent content shown first followed by the previously updated content.A blog can be easily startedwith services like , , etc.and do not need you to start something from the scratch, providing you with the entire system including design templates.
A blog thrives onnew content and more updated it is, the more attention itwillget. That doesn’t mean tons of scraps will equal gold mine.Quality and regularly updated content are examples of a good blog.
Basic identification ofBlogs:
Examples
, , , , , , , etc.and the list goes on.What is a Website?
A websitein return can be anything. Anything on the internet presented in HTML/CSS or Java/Javascript/Python/Php, etc. comprises of a website.A website may be complimented with a blog,but the home page wouldbe more for browsing other pages and not just posts. Fullyfunctional and eye-catchy websites are usually costconsuming tasks as youwould have to buildfrom the base up. However with platforms and services like Adobe Dreamweaver,you could build your own website.
A blog can be a part of a website,in the form of a separate page and linked tothe homepage. A website is a bigger aspect and its limitations are little to none.A website could be anything from a single page to a 1 Billion- users social network (Say, Facebook).
Basic identification ofa website:
Examples
, , , Facebook,Odesk,etc,and the list goes on.Doyou need a blog or a Website?
What you exactly want is what you need.Firstly, decide what do you exactly intend to do? If you are more concerned with creating contenton a regular basis for others toread, you should gowith a blog.
If you want full featured online portalwith many abilities and infinitesimal possibilities, you should go with a website. If youhave a company,thentoo youmust have a website combined with a blog. But make sure you know a good deal of coding before you jump infor makinga websiteorshellout a little money and the coding work.One thing which you should know that most popular blogging platform ‘WordPress’ can always be use as a Website,and youwillget advantage ofSEOand easy management.
Find it Familiar?
“ All Applesare Fruits, But allFruitsarenot apples.
All Blogs are Websites,But all Websites are not Blogs.
I hope this clear your doubts about differences between blog and Website.Iwould love to know what do you feel about Blog Vs.Website,how would youdifferentiate between these two?
