In Carol Dweck’s Mindset, chapter four focuses on the mindsets of those who play professional sports and the idea of people with “natural” talent. According to Dweck, many people whom we, as a society, consider naturals became so talented more through hard work and determination than some innate ability that they never had to work for. She mentions that the success of famous athletes such as Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth did not come from them being “naturals”. In fact, both superstar athletes had rough times when they initially started playing their respective sports. However she mentions that those who are actually naturals end up with fixed mindsets and fall short of success because they “don’t learn how to work hard or cope with setbacks” (Dweck 2008).
But I’m not so sure that I think that true “naturals” exist to be perfectly honest. But perhaps that is because I have nothing to relate to; something that I am truly a natural at. No matter what one has as far as physical or intellectual endowment, they had to work to get it. In high school, I used to be an above average math student. But that doesn’t mean I was a natural at it. My higher grades and placement into more advanced classes was a result of my parents pushing the subject of math at home when I was younger. Besides breathing and maybe sleeping, I don’t believe I am a natural at anything.
Perhaps I can’t truly respond to the label of a natural because I simply don’t believe such a thing exists. But maybe that is because I don’t hear stories about true naturals because they have been consumed by their fixed mindsets and fallen short of success. Or perhaps it is because it is hard to distinguish between who is actually a natural and who has simply put in a tremendous amount of work and perseverance to become better at something. The reason is completely unclear. But maybe one day, something or someone will come along and prove me wrong about the existence of naturals.
Dweck, C. S. (2008). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine Books.
You remind me of me a little bit: the math part. I like your intro. It was a good description of what Dweck's point was. I agree with you that naturals don't seem to exist, and that the only thing natural is breathing or sleeping.
ReplyDeleteIt all comes back to society and their perception of natural, which you definitely point out. That's a good point about being a fixed mindset, I hadn't really gotten it like that until you pointed it out. You're completely right, or Dweck I guess, because they feel they are the best, how could they have the mindset to improve?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to add here. Everyone pretty much covered my ideas. I really feel strongly about the fact that society's interpretation of what is a natural makes all of the difference. Some people see a natural as someone who is better than them. Others may see a natural as someone with extremely rare talent.
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