I absolutely agree! And, I was “convicted” of not embracing hard things particularly with new technology. I’ve run two marathons, numerous half-marathons, and participated in several sprint triathlons. Did I mention I couldn’t swim? My best friend gave me six months to learn to swim so we could participate in the Danskin women’s triathlon many years ago. I’ve continued to learn and build my brain base but have stopped with essential skills. I even know about the importance of growth mindset. This article made me realize I’ve lost my confidence to do hard things. Training for and running a marathon is a hard thing and a commitment of time. For me, running a marathon is more my mental ability than physical. I went on 20 mile training runs in 90 degree and high humidity weather. I never questioned crossing the finish line. I’m as average as can be athletically but I had the mental state to finish. I had the essential skill to “survive” open water swim starts surrounded by 99 swim friends in a triathlon. Yeesh! This article gave me the nudge I needed to embrace hard things again. I’m going to learn how to use the technology in my car. I just replaced my 2007 Toyota and my how cars have changed. I’m going to slow down and remind myself I can do hard things. Next, relearning basic statistics.
I'm always inspired by people like you who take the "plunge" into the unknown. Congrat's on doing just that - literally. Life is a challenge and the more varied skills we acquire the better. Included in those skills are certainly those requiring intellect but also those regarding relationships.
My knees won't let me do another marathon but I did just fly an airplane I built in 2022.
Stepping out of our comfort zone as you've done is very commendable - keep on keepin" on.
Absolutely right! We talk a lot about self esteem. Competence and confidence are the foundation of self esteem. No one can give anyone self esteem. It must be gained by accomplishments. The greater the self perceived accomplishment, the better the self esteem. I am still proud of earning a "C" in second semester calculus!
I was so happy when I earned a B in a calculus course for non-science majors in college. I’m ready to re-learn some basic statistics! Time to embrace this skill and feel more confident when reading data and research reports.
If you expand "doing hard things" into the rehlm of "making hard decisions" then you really will capture all people on the planet. Even the mentally complacent (non learning) will have to make hard decisions about life, love, etc. So, yes, it is an essential endeavor.
I remember someone telling me - "when you're torn between which of two directions to take, choose the most difficult, it's the one you're avoiding." Making difficult decisions, using a sum-total of all of our attributes and skill sets, is how we and the people in our sphere move forward.
I completely agree!! As a teenager I purposely took on many hard things because I was not expected to be able to ( I’m 70 now). It also gave me confidence in myself and tools that I picked up as a result ( and mentors I might not have met otherwise) proved invaluable. This is a mind set I have continued throughout my life and career.
I encouraged this in my sons, and certainly am doing the same with my young granddaughters.
Love this. Andrew Hubermans recent episode on growth mindset plays nicely with this article and goes deeper into the psychology of how the valence we place on our expectations of the results of obstacles has a huge impact on our actual performance in subsequent tasks, not just our processing of the events
I agree that learning to do hard things is an important skill. I disagree with the idea that calculus should be the hard thing to learn in high school, for virtually all students. The hard course everyone should take is probability and statistics. THAT is a course whose principles and applications will be useful in understanding the world around us and how to decide everything from finance to political claims.
In my paradigm, yes. But I remain open to how the current screen generation navigates life. It doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something. Has technology eased (not eliminated) the need to endure hard things? Maybe. It is tough to remain open to new paradigms, but that is why I try to respect the 45 year gap between my perspective and my daughter's.
I agree with what you've written but would refer you also to what "Tina O" has written above. Technology has definitely eased a lot of things but endeavors in nature and athletics are great for people spreading their wings. I work with adaptive sports for people with disabilities and the benefits are rarely limited to physical accomplishments.
I absolutely agree! And, I was “convicted” of not embracing hard things particularly with new technology. I’ve run two marathons, numerous half-marathons, and participated in several sprint triathlons. Did I mention I couldn’t swim? My best friend gave me six months to learn to swim so we could participate in the Danskin women’s triathlon many years ago. I’ve continued to learn and build my brain base but have stopped with essential skills. I even know about the importance of growth mindset. This article made me realize I’ve lost my confidence to do hard things. Training for and running a marathon is a hard thing and a commitment of time. For me, running a marathon is more my mental ability than physical. I went on 20 mile training runs in 90 degree and high humidity weather. I never questioned crossing the finish line. I’m as average as can be athletically but I had the mental state to finish. I had the essential skill to “survive” open water swim starts surrounded by 99 swim friends in a triathlon. Yeesh! This article gave me the nudge I needed to embrace hard things again. I’m going to learn how to use the technology in my car. I just replaced my 2007 Toyota and my how cars have changed. I’m going to slow down and remind myself I can do hard things. Next, relearning basic statistics.
I'm always inspired by people like you who take the "plunge" into the unknown. Congrat's on doing just that - literally. Life is a challenge and the more varied skills we acquire the better. Included in those skills are certainly those requiring intellect but also those regarding relationships.
My knees won't let me do another marathon but I did just fly an airplane I built in 2022.
Stepping out of our comfort zone as you've done is very commendable - keep on keepin" on.
Absolutely right! We talk a lot about self esteem. Competence and confidence are the foundation of self esteem. No one can give anyone self esteem. It must be gained by accomplishments. The greater the self perceived accomplishment, the better the self esteem. I am still proud of earning a "C" in second semester calculus!
"No one can give anyone self-esteem. It must be gained by accomplishment" That's quite a truism - Thanks
I was so happy when I earned a B in a calculus course for non-science majors in college. I’m ready to re-learn some basic statistics! Time to embrace this skill and feel more confident when reading data and research reports.
If you expand "doing hard things" into the rehlm of "making hard decisions" then you really will capture all people on the planet. Even the mentally complacent (non learning) will have to make hard decisions about life, love, etc. So, yes, it is an essential endeavor.
I remember someone telling me - "when you're torn between which of two directions to take, choose the most difficult, it's the one you're avoiding." Making difficult decisions, using a sum-total of all of our attributes and skill sets, is how we and the people in our sphere move forward.
I completely agree!! As a teenager I purposely took on many hard things because I was not expected to be able to ( I’m 70 now). It also gave me confidence in myself and tools that I picked up as a result ( and mentors I might not have met otherwise) proved invaluable. This is a mind set I have continued throughout my life and career.
I encouraged this in my sons, and certainly am doing the same with my young granddaughters.
Love this. Andrew Hubermans recent episode on growth mindset plays nicely with this article and goes deeper into the psychology of how the valence we place on our expectations of the results of obstacles has a huge impact on our actual performance in subsequent tasks, not just our processing of the events
Yes absolutely it does. Sometimes it takes a little push to get you out of fear. But you just have to keep showing up.
Yes, showing up is half the battle
Yes, doing hard work is essential to growth.
I agree that learning to do hard things is an important skill. I disagree with the idea that calculus should be the hard thing to learn in high school, for virtually all students. The hard course everyone should take is probability and statistics. THAT is a course whose principles and applications will be useful in understanding the world around us and how to decide everything from finance to political claims.
In my paradigm, yes. But I remain open to how the current screen generation navigates life. It doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something. Has technology eased (not eliminated) the need to endure hard things? Maybe. It is tough to remain open to new paradigms, but that is why I try to respect the 45 year gap between my perspective and my daughter's.
I agree with what you've written but would refer you also to what "Tina O" has written above. Technology has definitely eased a lot of things but endeavors in nature and athletics are great for people spreading their wings. I work with adaptive sports for people with disabilities and the benefits are rarely limited to physical accomplishments.