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One of the clearest signs of learning is rethinking your assumptions and revising your opinions.
21 things I rethought in 2021: a thread...
Adam Grant
5,166 posts
- I’m seeing a growing number of students complain: “My grade doesn’t reflect the effort I put into the course.” Public service announcement: You don’t get an A for effort. You earn it for excellence. Success is measured by the level of mastery you show, not how hard you work.
- We pay too much attention to the most confident voices—and too little attention to the most thoughtful ones. Certainty is not a sign of credibility. Speaking assertively is not a substitute for thinking deeply. It's better to learn from complex thinkers than smooth talkers.
- Impostor syndrome: “I don't know what I'm doing. It's only a matter of time until everyone finds out." Growth mindset: "I don't know what I'm doing yet. It's only a matter of time until I figure it out." The highest form of self-confidence is believing in your ability to learn.
- The best place to relax is near water. After just 2 minutes of viewing water outdoors, blood pressure and heart rate drop. It's more calming to look at a lake, pool, or stream than trees or grass. Beaches are popular for a reason. Wider bodies of water bring more tranquility.
- What’s the worst career advice you’ve ever received? Mine: (1) Don’t waste your time helping others (2) Drop 90% of your projects, because you can only do one at a time (3) Don’t write a book
- Being an introvert is not about where you get your energy. It's how you handle stimulation. Introverts are energized by people too. We’re just easily exhausted by loud parties, close talkers, and endless houseguests. I'm not antisocial. I'm pro-quiet. #worldintrovertday
- 63 studies: women who assert their ideas, make direct requests, and advocate for themselves are liked less. They're also less likely to get hired—and it hasn't improved over time. It's 2021. When will we stop punishing dominant women for violating outdated gender stereotypes?
- The suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade are chilling reminders of the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. Depression is a medical condition. We need to create a world where people are as comfortable seeking care for their minds as they are for their bodies.
- My new favorite word: sonder. It's the profound awareness that every person you encounter has experienced a lifetime of hopes, fears, loves, and heartaches that you'll never know. Each moment of sonder is a reminder to appreciate how little we truly grasp about others' lives.
- I just learned that silent reading isn't silent for everyone. Some people hear the words in their heads as they read. 🤯
