In this, the third and final of my posts regarding career satisfaction, I want to say just a few words about the book, Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck. This book has become an important professional development tool for educators across the US in recent years and has certainly influenced my thinking on the topic of career fulfillment.
Back in November, the counseling department at my school, the North Carolina School of Science and Math, presented a faculty in-service program that introduced this book and the concepts contained within to our faculty. As I listened to the presentation, I was compelled to purchase the book electronically (via Nook) and set it aside for future reading. This summer has provided the opportunity to dig into it and it has certainly helped to inform many of my thoughts about career fulfillment that I have been developing in recent weeks.
The in-service presentation was designed to give us a brief introduction the concept of growth mindset versus fixed mindset. “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment,” writes Dweck. Alternatively, Dweck states, "In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb." As part of the in-service, we were encouraged to think about our own attitudes towards learning as well as those of our students. Are we as teachers promoting a growth mindset for our or are we settling for some sort of fixed mindset from both ourselves and our students?
So, this brings me back to the idea of career fulfillment, Maslow, and my life this summer.
First, I have to believe that all of the models of career fulfillment that I presented contain some sort of expectation of growth mindset. Music educators who are most fulfilled believe that their abilities can be developed as can the abilities of their students. We believe that through focused practice, students can get over hurdles and achieve great things. The trick for us is to extend that idea and practice to ourselves! We must continue to believe that we can get better. We can become better teachers, better musicians, better scholars, better colleagues. Fulfilled educators believe that small failures are opportunities for greater achievement. If a pedagogical technique doesn't work, try another tactic. If we are feeling a bit static, find a way to become dynamic. (I love the concept that, "A body in motion stays in motion. A body at rest, stays at rest." It is one of my great motivators in cycling and in life!) With a growth mindset, we can find dynamics and fulfillment year after year throughout a long and successful career.
Next, doesn't this fit well with the ideas that Maslow presented?! At the highest level of the the hierarchy of human needs lies self actualization which includes achieving ones full potential, creative activities, spontaneity and problem solving. A growth mindset would lead to all of these activities and attitudes. If we truly have a love of learning and a desire to be "better" we will certainly be self-actualized human beings. Alternatively, a fixed mindset would be in direct contrast to all of these. I have to believe that Dweck has spent some significant time in the study of Maslow and his theories!
Finally, there is direct personal application here. A person with a growth mindset wakes up every day with a plan. They truly believe that brains and talent are just the beginning. Our lives present an opportunity to develop ideas, theories, skills, and accomplishments. For teachers, the summer provides both the opportunity to regroup and rest, as well as the opportunity to create, develop, and accomplish. Our lives during the school year are so busy. There is something absolutely refreshing about waking up, having a second cup of coffee, getting some exercise, and then attacking some new idea, some task that has been put off, or that interesting book that one just hasn't had time to read.
Today is the day that all of my colleagues at Interlochen are converging on the camp for the beginning of the 6 week summer arts camp. I have thought of Interlochen a great deal today. The first day back at camp for the summer is always exciting. It is so awesome to reconnect with old friends and anticipate the important work (and play) of the summer. My work there has been the source of many of my goals, musical ideas and new scholarship over the past 7 years. This summer is different for me. This year, I am waking up every day with a different set of goals. I am developing curriculum for NCSSM. I am practicing my violin. I am writing. I am reading. I am also exercising and taking care of household and family tasks that I have let slide a bit over the past 7 years. In the end, I am aspiring to grow and accomplish much.
I encourage each of you to set some goals for the summer. Consider your mindset. It is a growth or fixed mindset? Do you feel like you are clicking at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs? Are you fulfilled in your career? If so, congratulations and keep up the good work! If not, I truly hope that these posts have shed some light on your situation and perhaps have provided a framework for some changes that might get you a little bit closer to the goal of fulfillment.
Peace.
Scott
Back in November, the counseling department at my school, the North Carolina School of Science and Math, presented a faculty in-service program that introduced this book and the concepts contained within to our faculty. As I listened to the presentation, I was compelled to purchase the book electronically (via Nook) and set it aside for future reading. This summer has provided the opportunity to dig into it and it has certainly helped to inform many of my thoughts about career fulfillment that I have been developing in recent weeks.
The in-service presentation was designed to give us a brief introduction the concept of growth mindset versus fixed mindset. “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment,” writes Dweck. Alternatively, Dweck states, "In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb." As part of the in-service, we were encouraged to think about our own attitudes towards learning as well as those of our students. Are we as teachers promoting a growth mindset for our or are we settling for some sort of fixed mindset from both ourselves and our students?
So, this brings me back to the idea of career fulfillment, Maslow, and my life this summer.
First, I have to believe that all of the models of career fulfillment that I presented contain some sort of expectation of growth mindset. Music educators who are most fulfilled believe that their abilities can be developed as can the abilities of their students. We believe that through focused practice, students can get over hurdles and achieve great things. The trick for us is to extend that idea and practice to ourselves! We must continue to believe that we can get better. We can become better teachers, better musicians, better scholars, better colleagues. Fulfilled educators believe that small failures are opportunities for greater achievement. If a pedagogical technique doesn't work, try another tactic. If we are feeling a bit static, find a way to become dynamic. (I love the concept that, "A body in motion stays in motion. A body at rest, stays at rest." It is one of my great motivators in cycling and in life!) With a growth mindset, we can find dynamics and fulfillment year after year throughout a long and successful career.
Next, doesn't this fit well with the ideas that Maslow presented?! At the highest level of the the hierarchy of human needs lies self actualization which includes achieving ones full potential, creative activities, spontaneity and problem solving. A growth mindset would lead to all of these activities and attitudes. If we truly have a love of learning and a desire to be "better" we will certainly be self-actualized human beings. Alternatively, a fixed mindset would be in direct contrast to all of these. I have to believe that Dweck has spent some significant time in the study of Maslow and his theories!
Finally, there is direct personal application here. A person with a growth mindset wakes up every day with a plan. They truly believe that brains and talent are just the beginning. Our lives present an opportunity to develop ideas, theories, skills, and accomplishments. For teachers, the summer provides both the opportunity to regroup and rest, as well as the opportunity to create, develop, and accomplish. Our lives during the school year are so busy. There is something absolutely refreshing about waking up, having a second cup of coffee, getting some exercise, and then attacking some new idea, some task that has been put off, or that interesting book that one just hasn't had time to read.
Today is the day that all of my colleagues at Interlochen are converging on the camp for the beginning of the 6 week summer arts camp. I have thought of Interlochen a great deal today. The first day back at camp for the summer is always exciting. It is so awesome to reconnect with old friends and anticipate the important work (and play) of the summer. My work there has been the source of many of my goals, musical ideas and new scholarship over the past 7 years. This summer is different for me. This year, I am waking up every day with a different set of goals. I am developing curriculum for NCSSM. I am practicing my violin. I am writing. I am reading. I am also exercising and taking care of household and family tasks that I have let slide a bit over the past 7 years. In the end, I am aspiring to grow and accomplish much.
I encourage each of you to set some goals for the summer. Consider your mindset. It is a growth or fixed mindset? Do you feel like you are clicking at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs? Are you fulfilled in your career? If so, congratulations and keep up the good work! If not, I truly hope that these posts have shed some light on your situation and perhaps have provided a framework for some changes that might get you a little bit closer to the goal of fulfillment.
Peace.
Scott
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