Musings of an Old Chemist

A Chemist's Perspective on the Habits and Skills STEM Students Need For Success

Tag: personal-development

  • Becoming Your Own Personal Growth Architect

    Becoming Your Own Personal Growth Architect

    Your Role as an Architect in Your Personal Growth

    You’re building your personal growth building, and you’re the architect. This “architect” is your guide, turning your dreams into a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Acting as your personal growth architect will create a “blueprint” for your development, showing you the structure and key parts of your metaphorical building. Making sure your goals are solid and well defined, explaining how your dreams and goals create a strong foundation for your motivation and expectations, which then helps you move forward.

    But this role of an architect isn’t just about getting things done; it also focuses on how you experience your journey. It ensures everything lines up with who you want to be, both personally and publicly, making your whole growth process real and rewarding. As you start putting your plans into action, this architect offers a blueprint to follow, providing guidance, keeping you on track, helping you adjust, and making sure everything fits with your overall strategy.

    Ultimately, your growth blueprint helps you be clear on your vision, create a smart plan, connect different parts of your development, and finally build the life you imagine. Your growth architect could be your inner self, or a mentor, a coach, or even a structured way of thinking about yourself and your future. Regardless of who assumes the role of your personal growth architect, the blueprint design process begins with self-awareness.

    The Role of Self-awareness

    The most significant component in designing your blueprint for personal growth is self-awareness. It is the prerequisite—our knowledge of who we are and what we desire—on which our blueprint is based.

    Self-awareness can be a complex idea, but consider it this way: I know I want to grow a vegetable garden (self-awareness), versus with my role as an architect on this project, which involves the actual design (blueprint), selecting the plants, and determining their care.

    Self-awareness allows me to understand what I want to do and why I want to do it, my dreams, aspirations, goals, motivations, and expectations. In this particular example, it involves asking: Why do I want a garden? Why is it important to me? What do I expect it to look like? How soon do I want it ready? Once this groundwork is complete, only then can I take on the role of the architect and prepare a blueprint.

    Personal Commentary

    My Dad was a civil engineer. Where an architect works with people wanting to design their new home or businesses wanting to design new office space, my Dad would meet with developers planning new subdivisions, turning their ideas into detailed blueprints for streets, utilities, and home lots. Then, with a survey crew, he’d mark out key locations precisely, giving construction crews exact points to build from. His careful supervision continued until the project was complete.

    I still remember spending Saturday and Sunday afternoons helping my Dad in the field, measuring distances between property lines, new home foundations, utility lines, and easements. I really liked the work, so much so that during college summers, I’d join a survey crew for the Kentucky State Department of Highways, where my Dad was the District Engineer. It allowed me to use the math and physics concepts that I enjoyed from college. Why I didn’t follow in my Dad’s footsteps and become a civil engineer, I don’t know. I guess, like all of us, I needed to find my own path in life.

    I wish I had learned to create a clear blueprint for my life’s dreams and aspirations—something with defined goals and objectives, ways to track my progress, and built-in accountability. Back in college, some of my friends were way ahead of me on this. One good friend, who’s a doctor now, followed in his Dad’s footsteps. He showed up at Centre with a complete and detailed academic plan, knowing exactly which classes he needed for medical school and how hard he’d have to work to achieve the grades he wanted. He even found friends who shared his views to team up with, keeping each other accountable and supporting one another through tough times.

    Looking back, I spent my years throughout high school and my freshman year at Centre unsure of my direction. It wasn’t until my sophomore year, when I met Dr. Walkup, that I found a true mentor. He guided me, set clear expectations for success, and, crucially, held me accountable. Forty-five years later, in my late 60’s, I’d like to believe I know what I’m doing, but sometimes I still have my doubts. Even now, I find myself still searching for a blueprint on how to be the best father, grandfather, husband, and person I can be.

  • Self-Awareness: Your Internal GPS for Personal Growth

    Self-Awareness: Your Internal GPS for Personal Growth

    So, we have this incredible building of personal growth, with its strong foundation and aspiring capstone. But how do we know we’re heading in the right direction? That’s where self-awareness, our internal “GPS” comes in.. It helps us pinpoint where we are right now and where we truly want to go. And once we have that clarity, we can then step into an even more powerful role: that of our architect, consciously designing and constructing the path to that very destination we desire.

    Think about your favorite video game or an elaborate set of LEGO™  building blocks. Before you can build something amazing or conquer a level, you need to know the rules, the tools you have, and where you want to go, right? Well, the same goes for growing as a person! Self-awareness is like having your internal map and knowing yourself really well – your strengths, your feelings, and what you truly care about. Understanding yourself is the first step to designing the kind of person you want to become and the life you want to build.

    Now imagine you’re the architect of your personal growth building. You get to design who you want to be and what you want to achieve. But just like any good architect, you need to know your materials and have a clear vision, a good set of blueprints. That is the role of self-awareness. Self-awareness is the process of getting to know your values, your skills, and what sparks your interest. It’s the foundation for making smart choices and building a future that’s uniquely yours.

    And just like a GPS helps you navigate physical terrain, self-awareness helps you navigate your personal landscape. Self-awareness is like your inner moral compass, helping you make choices that truly align with your gut feelings and what you value most. It’s about figuring out what truly matters to you, ensuring that your actions reflect who you genuinely are. This inner guide also helps you set goals based on your dreams and aspirations, turning them into clear “checkpoints” on your life’s journey. 

    Also, self-awareness, acting as your internal GPS, lets you see how far you’ve come, and how much further you have to go, giving you clarity on your journey and chances to celebrate all your wins, big or small. Life isn’t usually a straight line; it’s more like a complex roadmap with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. In this ever-changing landscape, self-awareness is beneficial. By regularly thinking about your experiences, changing values, and goals, it lets you adjust your “direction” when you need to. This ability to make important course corrections keeps you aligned with your evolving self, leading to a deeper understanding of who you’re becoming.

    Plus, this metaphorical GPS can show you different ways to reach your goals, giving you practical ideas about how long it might take and how much effort you’ll need. It encourages flexibility, helping you gracefully handle unexpected challenges and changes. When you inevitably feel “lost” or unsure, self-awareness shines a light on where you are in your journey. It not only shows you how far you’ve come but also reminds you of your inner strength and all the amazing progress you’ve made.  Recognizing where we are on our personal map, even when feeling disoriented, can be immensely reassuring. It helps us appreciate the progress we’ve made, recalibrate our direction when needed, and refuel our motivation to continue our journey.

    Ultimately, self-awareness is key to appreciating your ongoing progress, adjusting your course when things go off track, and boosting your motivation, pushing you forward with a fresh and clear sense of purpose. 

    How to Cultivate Your Self-awareness

    Self-awareness is a skill that, like a musical talent, such as playing the piano or the guitar, can be significantly improved through consistent effort, or practice, combined with specific techniques and activities. While you may already have a natural ability for playing an instrument or in the case of self-awareness, introspection or reflection, these are skills must still be developed. For self-awareness is an ongoing journey of discovery, where your investment of your time in mastering the following techniques along with a willingness to explore your inner self can lead to your significant growth as a person.

    This growth goes beyond understanding your strengths and weaknesses; it involves a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, values, and motivations. It requires observing how these shape our behaviors and how we react to the world around us. Consider it like possessing an internal GPS system that continuously calibrates and refines its accuracy. Our constantly evolving and improving inner compass helps us navigate life’s obstacles, make well-informed choices, and encourage more honest relationships.

    To develop your self-awareness, consider these three components: an honest self-assessment, journaling, and seeking feedback from trusted peers (parents, mentors, teachers, and close friends). Each offers a distinct perspective on your inner workings, revealing valuable insights into your patterns and tendencies. The consistent commitment to these practices sharpens your awareness of your inner self, helping you to understand and control your emotions, improve your decision-making, and provide a clearer sense of purpose. Ultimately, self-awareness is a continuous journey of growth, changing as we mature and experience new things.

    The best place to start to grow your self-awareness is with a comprehensive self-assessment that encourages you to think about your:

    • Dreams and Aspirations: What is your long-term vision? What impact do you want to make in the world? What kind of future do you imagine for yourself?
    • Goals: What specific goals are you working towards in your academic and personal lives?
    • Strengths: What are you naturally good at? What skills and talents come easily to you? What do others praise you for?
    • Weaknesses (or Areas for Growth): Where do you struggle? What skills need development? What habits might be holding you back?

    This initial self-assessment provides a valuable foundation for building self-awareness. It helps you understand your internal compass and identify areas where you want to focus your energy.

    Next, I encourage you to keep a personal journal or even a private blog where you reflect on what you are learning in your courses, interactions with others, and daily activities, plus the challenges you are facing and how you are overcoming them. Journaling provides you an opportunity to:

    • Map  Your Progress: Regularly writing down your experiences, thoughts, and feelings related to your goals allows you to track how far you’ve come and identify patterns in your progress.
    • Reflect on Your Struggles: Journaling provides a safe space to explore challenges, frustrations, and setbacks. By writing about these difficulties, you can gain clarity, identify potential solutions, and learn from your experiences. 
    • Deepen Your Understanding of Who You Are: The act of writing forces you to express your thoughts and emotions, leading to a deeper understanding of your motivations, expectation and how you react in different situations.
    • Identify Patterns: Over time, journaling can reveal recurring patterns in your thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses, offering valuable insights into your personality and habits. Journaling encourages you to explore and define your core values through self-reflection. 

    With practice, you will learn to spend time in deliberate  reflection, asking yourself questions such as: How did I feel today and why?, Why did I react that way in that situation and what can I learn from it?, What can I do differently given the same situation?, What are my core values and are they changing?, What are my current goals and why are they important to me?

    Finally, learn to ask others for their feedback on your progress, your actions and behavior, keeping an open mind and without getting defensive. I suggest asking trusted friends, family, or mentors for constructive feedback on how you come across to others. And while this can be challenging, it provides valuable perspective. More importantly, your willingness to reflect on this feedback objectively and identify patterns or areas where you can grow is a beneficial component of your personal growth.

    As a STEM student, this combination of activities can be particularly effective. You should appreciate the logical and scientific approach, a self-assessment followed by consistent journaling provides the framework for self-awareness. And, journaling can be seen as a way to collect “data” about yourself, which you can then analyze for insights and trends. This aligns with the analytical mindset you’ll need for success in the STEM fields. And finally, this process has its focus on growth and Improvement. It naturally encourages a growth mindset by prompting you to identify areas for improvement and track your development over time.

    In conclusion, do not forget that self-awareness is a continuous process, not a one-time activity. Practice it daily. Connect it to your goals. Remember self-awareness is a great tool to help you succeed in your studies, your future careers, and all areas of your life. Ultimately, self-awareness is the key to appreciating your ongoing progress, adjusting your course when things go off track, and boosting your motivation, pushing you forward with a fresh and clear sense of purpose. 

  • Journey of Personal Growth – Introduction

    Journey of Personal Growth – Introduction

    “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” 

    Albert Einstein

    When we are young, and even throughout high school and college, we are frequently asked some form of the following question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Our answer would usually consist of career choices, such as a doctor, a lawyer, a fireman, a teacher, etc.

    My answer, at least until my disastrous freshman year at Centre College, was I wanted to be a doctor. Not because that was my first choice, but because that was my Mom’s desire for me. I have to admit I had no idea what I wanted to be.

    But from my perspective, after being on this planet for 67 years, a more important question that should be asked, and I wish someone had asked me, is: “How do you want to be known, as a person, when you grow up?” Not what my job title will be, not how successful I will be, or how much money I’ll make. But who, what kind of person am I? How will I be remembered? What value do I bring to the world around me?

    Knowing, identifying, who we are as a person is a necessary step in finding the answer to that question. This involves understanding what is important to us, what are our dreams, aspirations, goals, motivations, and expectations. Additionally, we must recognize that growth is a process; there is a method we must follow to become the person we want to be. In essence, there is a journey of personal growth we must experience. Your journey, and mine, applies beyond our “academic” learning experiences and encompasses every area of our lives. This broader “spectrum” of learning includes life experiences, emotional intelligence, social interactions, and spiritual growth. EVERY experience, big or small, contributes to our overall growth.

    This journey is a lifelong endeavor that is different for every individual, Yours will be totally different from mine, or your parents. There are no step-by-step instructions or a road map that we all can follow.

    I may have a certain perspective on the topic, but my views are uniquely mine alone, and do not necessarily apply to situation. The biggest mistake I made in the classroom was assuming that my students shared the same passions for problem-solving and for learning that I did. I expected them to be more like me and did not recognize where they were in their own individual journeys.

    There is no starting point or ending point; it is non-linear and cyclical, not a straight line between points A and B. It involves the support and influence of others, your parents, your family members, teachers, and friends. Influences that may cause you to lose sight of your own goals and expectations in favor of meeting other people’s expectations, becoming an obstacle to your own well-being. Social media pressures and your family dynamics may obscure your own internal compass.

    Your journey requires constant observation, reflection, and analysis, allowing you to perceive the world around you in greater clarity, appreciating the complexity and the connectivity. You will gain new insights, encounter new situations, and overcome limitations – shifting your perspectives on life (if you allow it). The satisfaction of overcoming challenges, learning new skills, and being aware of your progress will motivate you to continue learning and growing. Your expectations of yourself will change. You will set more ambitious goals, face challenges with more confidence, and appreciate the value of lifelong learning.

    Creating Your Own Map

    In our minds, we create a map, so to speak, of where we’re headed in our lives, what steps we need to follow, and how long we expect it to take. As you follow your map, you’ll be exposed to new experiences, perspectives, and challenges, forcing you to reevaluate your goals and expectations and your course. Follow your internal compass – your intuition, your moral compass, or your core values that guide you even when your map and where you are headed seem unclear. Think of the people who have supported you in your journey, like family, friends, and mentors, as fellow travelers or guides along your journey.

    Role of Family

    Everyone’s journey begins with family, shaping our values, ideals, and our early understanding of the world around us. Your family background serves, to use a chemistry term, as the catalyst for your journey. It helps to shape your values, beliefs, and early understanding of the world around you. And while your family situation has a significant influence on your journey, it is important to recognize that your family situation and your genetic predisposition does not define you – you can overcome any family dysfunction, becoming your own person with your own values and beliefs through self-awareness and hard work. It may take some time for you to find your way but it will happen.

    High School Years

    High school is a critical period in our lives. It is a time when you start to figure out who you are and become more independent, developing your own values that may differ from your family’s. Relationships with friends can be complicated, and you might face the challenge of choosing between fitting in with a group and staying true to yourself.

    Learning how to think critically and solve problems are important academic skills that are developed during high school. Thinking critically means to

    High school is where it is important to boost your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Critical thinking basically means thinking clearly and logically, and being able to connect ideas. It’s all about looking at facts, evidence, things you observe, and arguments to come up with good conclusions and make smart choices. Your opportunities to improve these skill sets may not exist as much in the classroom, especially with the teach-to-the-test philosophy that permeates our secondary schools, but can be nurtured elsewhere, for example, playing video games.

    I can’t emphasize enough that it’s the process of learning is what is valuable throughout your life, even though the class material itself is only important in the short term to pass the next exam. 

    During these formative years you learn the importance of taking responsibility for your actions, both at home and in the classroom. Additionally, you will learn to recognize that you may not have all the answers and that you will need help and guidance from others, including your parents, teachers, and other people in your life. 

    Life can be challenging, and we often find ourselves merely surviving, going through the motions. Struggles can arise anytime, whether in school, work, or personal life.  Times when it’s difficult to know what the right thing to do is, the right decision to make, it’s all we can do to get up in the morning and go through the motions of daily life. School becomes a struggle – keeping up in the classroom, finishing homework on time, and maintaining good grades. It’s even more important during these difficult times to develop a support network, whether it is through your faith, a trusted friend, or mentor.

    These struggles are not just limited to your high school years; they may occur at any time along your career path. Life can throw you a lot of curve balls, unexpected events like illnesses, losing close friends or loved ones, or sudden opportunities that throw you off balance and make you reroute your path. But remember, all these things are valuable learning opportunities, events that help you discover new strengths, become more resilient and self-reliant.

    And finally, in high school, you begin to make decisions about your future education and career. You might decide that college isn’t for you, and that’s okay. Your long-term goals may not require a college degree, and you can always change your mind later. The important thing is to identify your passion and develop a vision for your future.

    College and Career

    This segment of our lives is where we truly embark on our personal journey, where we step into uncharted territory, so to speak. We establish our independence, for some, living away from home for the first time. We form intimate relationships, develop skills needed for our career choice, and build a network of friends, colleagues, and mentors that may last a lifetime.

    Commentary

    You will not always know which path you should follow or what role you are meant to play. It is only natural for you to make some wrong turns in your journey and at times feel lost. But it is so very important to realize these missteps, whether they are small or large, are valuable learning experiences. They teach us to be resilient and the importance of adaptability and self-correction – all benefits of practicing the art of self-awareness. And sometimes, regardless of the path we follow, we end up exactly where we are meant to be. Meaning we can’t always control the circumstances and situations we face in our lifetime; the best we can hope for is to be the best version of ourselves at the end of our journey. Knowing your own limitations is valuable; it requires an understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of what point you’re at in life, frequent self-assessments can be beneficial. To get you started, you’ll find one on the Self-assessment page of this blog.

  • Learning from Mistakes

    Learning from Mistakes

    “The greatest teacher failure is..”

    Yoda

    If I could identify one lesson from college that was the most valuable, it would be my professors’ requirement that we must identify the sources of error in every lab experiment. To recognize, through observation of the individual steps in an analysis, where there was the potential for an error that affected the eventual outcome of the experiment. Whether you obtained the correct answer or not. In every analysis we performed, there was always the potential for making a mistake in our preparation, observations, and calculations, each of which could give us the wrong answer.

    Fast forward to today, how does this concept apply in your world? If you apply an analytical approach to identifying sources of error when you get a wrong answer or make a mistake, it helps take the emotion out of the picture, allowing you to see it as a learning opportunity, encouraging you to identify and benefit from your mistakes in the future.

    I encourage you to consider the benefits of getting the wrong answer. Here are a few:

    Mistakes help us to identify what we don’t know. This can be a good thing because it allows us to redirect our learning and to focus on the areas where we need the most improvement.

    Mistakes can encourage us to think about how much effort we invested in learning the material. When we are trying to understand why we got the wrong answer, we are forced to think more deeply, develop a greater understanding of the concepts, versus simply rote memorization.

    Mistakes can help us become more resilient. When we make mistakes, it is important to learn from them and keep moving forward, which is an important skill for success in all areas of life.

    And, mistakes can help us to be more creative. When we are not afraid to make mistakes, we are more likely to try new things and to come up with new ideas. A valuable skill that is beneficial throughout our lives.

    How to we begin to learn from our mistakes? 

    To begin with, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes. It is important to forgive yourself and to move on.

    Then try to identify and acknowledge the mistake you made. What was the root cause of the mistake? Once you understand the root cause, you can take steps to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

    Finally, learn from your mistake. What can you do differently next time? Think about how you can apply what you have learned to improve your performance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are struggling to understand a concept or to solve a problem, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take my advice, if you ask someone for help, be prepared to listen with and open mind and not get defensive. There is always someone wiser than you or me whose instruction is valuable.

    By following these three tips, you can turn your mistakes into learning opportunities and become the best version of yourself.

    Commentary

    As I have gotten older, my perspective has changed, and I’ve come to recognize and admit to myself the mistakes I have made over the years. I have always been able to apply the concepts of error analysis throughout my career. When it pertained to recognizing the weaknesses or failures in an analysis, it was one of my most recognized capabilities. I prided myself on my ability to apply the Scientific Method to almost any situation. However, very seldom did I apply the same skillset to my personal life.

    When we fail, especially in our careers or our personal lives, it is very easy to blame someone else, our boss, a coworker, our parents, spouse, or significant other. We may blame the situation we were in as if it were out of our own control. We blame anyone and everything in order to deflect the responsibility for our mistakes and failures from the person responsible, ourselves. I readily admit I am an example of these same habits. 

    The personal trait of self-awareness, which I will discuss in detail in a later post, allows us to recognize and acknowledge our weaknesses as well as our strengths. It acts as our internal GPS so to speak, showing us where we make a wrong turn in our lives and directing us back on track. Learning from each misadventure, becoming more humble, less arrogant and prideful, accepting blame where it is needed, and leading us on the path to wisdom. 

    I am nowhere close on my journey of personal growth, but I do believe I am getting better at admitting my mistakes and attempting to learn from them each day. And, hopefully, by doing so, I am a better person today than I was yesterday and will be an even better person tomorrow.

  • The Power of Mindset: Growth and Fixed Perspectives

    The Power of Mindset: Growth and Fixed Perspectives

    What is a “Mindset”?

    The term “Mindset” refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts we hold about ourselves and our capabilities. It shapes how we perceive ourselves, face challenges, and interact with the world. This internal outlook significantly influences our approach to learning, work, relationships, and life in general.

    The Origin of Mindset Concepts

    Dr. Carol S. Dweck, a Stanford University psychologist, developed the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets. Her research began in the late 1980s, focusing on how children respond to academic challenges. She observed two distinct mindsets: a fixed mindset, children faced with challenges gave up easily, and a growth mindset where children saw the challenges as opportunities to learn.

    Dr. Dweck’s research demonstrated the powerful influence on our motivation for learning, and how resilient we are across various aspects of our lives. Her book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” (2006), popularized these concepts.Dr. Dweck’s work has significantly affected psychology, education, and business, emphasizing the importance of our beliefs and perceptions in shaping our potential. 

    Comparison and : Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

    Someone who embraces a growth mindset sees every hurdle, every mistake, and every piece of constructive criticism as invaluable feedback, a chance to sharpen their skills, broaden their understanding, and expand their horizons. They thrive on challenges, relishing the process of overcoming them, understanding that it is in the struggle, in the effort, that true growth resides. They are resilient, persistent, and view setbacks not as failures, but as learning curves, temporary detours on their journey toward mastery. They ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” and “How can I improve?”

    Someone with a fixed mindset might view identical challenges as intimidating, even overwhelming barriers. They operate under the assumption that their inherited skills and intelligence are unchanging; whatever natural gifts they possess should ensure life success, requiring no additional effort. Consequently, they readily surrender when confronted with difficulties, driven by a fear of failure that could expose their shortcomings, frequently choosing only tasks they are confident of completing easily. They dismiss what they perceive as negative feedback, even when intended as constructive criticism, and they often feel threatened by the accomplishments of others. This need to project an image of competence compels those with a fixed mindset to avoid any risk whatsoever, thereby stifling their creativity and, ultimately, hindering their potential.

    This fundamental difference in perspective profoundly impacts one’s approach to learning, work, relationships, and life in general. 

    In the area of academics: 

    Students with a growth mindset believe their intelligence and abilities can be improved through hard work and dedication. They see mistakes as learning opportunities, and they persist through difficult subjects. They think, “I didn’t do well on this test yet, but I can study harder and improve next time.”

    However, students with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities are fixed. They avoid challenges for fear of failure and give up easily. They might think, “I’m just not good at math,” after a bad grade. Or, more commonly, they perceive their teacher to be mean, having unfair expectations.

    In extracurricular activities:

    Students with a growth mindset understand the importance of and focus on practice and learning, even if they don’t succeed initially. They see setbacks as opportunities to improve. They believe that effort creates talent.

    However, students with a fixed mindset avoid trying if they don’t feel naturally talented or quit easily if they face difficulties.

    In relationships and social settings:

    Students with growth mindset are open to meeting new people, understanding different perspectives, and working through disagreements.

    Students with a fixed mindset are less likely to step out of their comfort zone or struggle with criticism and conflict.

    Commentary

    When there’s a setback, someone with a fixed mindset will start thinking, ‘Maybe I don’t have what it takes?’ They may get defensive and give up. A hallmark of a successful person is that they persist in the face of obstacles, and often, these obstacles are blessings in disguise.

    Carol S. Dweck

    I encourage you not to give up, and not to get defensive, because you do have what it takes. The key is changing your mindset, your perspective. The question now becomes: “How do we change our perspective from a fixed to a growth mindset?” It is not an easy process, especially if you are older, like me, and have had a fixed mindset for a long time. It begins with the understanding of the fundamental difference between the two. Once we have identified and understand the characteristics, we must take action, invest in the process of changing how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. It is important to prioritize effort, it’s hard work, and understand that your effort leads to expertise.

    A great place to start is changing the way you address challenges, replacing “I can’t” with “I can” or I can’t yet.” This small change reflects a belief in yourself and your potential to improve. I urge you to be patient with yourself and persistent; mindset growth is a journey with ups and downs. True growth takes time. 

    The next step is difficult and requires a significant change in our perspective, recognizing that we are not perfect, admitting that we have our weaknesses, and that we make mistakes. Then put in the effort to analyze your mistakes as lessons, not failures. Value the process of learning from mistakes and setbacks as essential components of progress.

    I believe it is important to focus on “deep”  learning, not quick results. In college, I coined the phrase: “memorization then regurgitation” for those students who would memorize whatever was required for a test but never retain the knowledge past the end of the semester. I’ll admit my brain does not work that way. I needed to truly understand the material, much of which I still remember to this day, 45 years later. So the lesson in this is, instead of fixating on achieving a specific result, a certain test score, direct your energy towards acquiring knowledge, honing your abilities, and refining your strategies along the way. 

    Lastly, embrace personal accountability, take full responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their subsequent consequences. Shift your perspective from viewing yourself as a victim of circumstance to empowering yourself as a creator of your reality. Once again, this is not an easy task, especially if you’ve had this perception of yourself and your circumstances for an extended period of time, in some cases years. But, you can do it.