Growth Mindset Response

In response to Carol Dweck TED Talk, "The Power of Believing That You Can Improve"

“Not Yet” verses “Failed” as a method of grading, with emphasis on how the “Not Yet” students learned better, is at its core a representation of human evolution. What is a distinct difference between humans and every other organism (besides opposable thumbs)? Language. Our ability to communicate lead to the ability to form complex societies that lead to where we are today. Language is more than just communicating what is happening; it is ideas and concepts that we have often associated deep emotional meaning too – depending on what’s being said.

Not Yet indicates that you still have the ability to accomplish something, your efforts are not in vain.

Failed indicates you are at an impasse, you must start over as your last attempt was pointless.

In response to Carol Dweck, "Make Challenge the New Comfort Zone"

One of my biggest accomplishments for me was graduating boot camp, and to myself I personally reference this a lot in ways like “Well if I can get through boot camp then surely I can pass Organic Chemistry”. I attribute positive thinking as one of the things that helped me pass O.Chem with great grades (in addition to studying almost as much as I breathed). I truly believe if you can force yourself to think in a better light about your own abilities, then you will always do better in difficult situations than if you had been down talking yourself such as “I’m going to fail this test” or “This class is just too difficult to pass”. If there isn’t a moment you can think of when you overcame the odds, just telling yourself the opposite of those past two phrases will improve not just your grades but your ability to come back from failures; and over time, encountering difficult problems may be an ignition of enjoyment rather than apprehension.

In response to the Alfie Kohn article 

(TBH, I skimmed it)

The largest reason attributed to people failing O.Chem is that they try to memorize instead of understand the concepts being taught. Similarly, Kohn describes this method as the problem with our education system; that we are memorizing and dumping information rather than really learning what is being taught. While I understand and can agree with some of Khon’s opinions, it isn’t as simple as having a positive attitude – which is where I come to partially disagree with Dweck. Positive thinking is important, but having the ability to accept your failures is just as, if not more, important. I saw a fundamental change in my life when I started accepting my responsibility for things. If my boss at work yelled at me it wasn’t “what the hell is their problem” it was “what did I do and how can I not let that happen again”. Not allowing others to be in control of your emotions and actions as well as taking control of the situation entirely, I believe, gives the power back to you.

I received an A in the first semester of O.Chem, but a B in the second semester. While I whole-heartedly want to blame the terrible teaching methods and trickery when it came to exams, at the end of the day it was my fault for not getting that A. I can call out more than once when I was watching Netflix instead of reviewing mechanisms, or when I didn’t study for an entire weekend and only finished assignments that were due. Making it my responsibility allows me to learn from myself and do better next time; but positive thinking is a critical aspect of performing better when the time comes.

Kohn makes a great point though – a positive attitude can’t help you if you do not have the tools needed to perform. Also, that too much positivity can back fire. I heard about a study on the radio that ultimately said you shouldn’t tell people your goals until you’ve accomplished them; when a person says they are starting a new diet, sometimes just the praise for thinking of doing it is so rewarding they end up not starting it. While these are good points, he poses no tangible solution and while we search for them, I think we should use all the tools we do have at our disposal.

In summary (TL;DR)

There are many methods to learning - and while one may work for some, the same one might not work for many others. I believe that combining acceptance for your failures with a positive attitude to the prospects of new challenges is key to succeeding.

Now, here below are two funny (IMO) and slightly applicable quotes from a character on the TV show New Girl, turned into a bad motivational poster.