Way too often we can get stuck. Our education, experience and even our expectations of how we (and others) should behave can cause us to miss opportunities to get better.
In today’s New York Times, Janet Rae-Dupree writes about research conducted by Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist. Dweck, perhaps not so surprisingly, has found that the way people think about their ability to improve their innate talents makes all the difference. Those who believe that their intelligence and talent has been predetermined by nature are less likely to push themselves to create and innovate than those who subscribe to the belief that their abilities can grow over time.
So which camp do you belong to?
If it is the first - and if you want to move to the other side, consider this quote from Dweck included in the article:
“People who believe in the power of talent tend not to fulfill their potential because they’re so concerned with looking smart and not making mistakes. But people who believe that talent can be developed are the ones who really push, stretch, confront their own mistakes and learn from them.”
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TAGS: change, creativity, life long learning, productivity, Risk-taking, support
Not too long ago my ten year old niece asked me how old I was. When I told her I was 56 she said, “Wow. I didn’t know you were that old.” I’m not sharing this because I think I look younger — my niece doesn’t have a clue what 56 looks like. She was responding to how I play with her, talk to her about things that interest her - not me, and the energy I exhibit when we do things together.
Then I watched an interview with Bette Midler talking about her new Las Vegas show called “The Show Girl Girl Must Go On.” She said she named it that because no matter your age (and she’s 62) you’ve got to do what you love to do. Cher, who also turns 62 this year, is another example of someone who, after performing her “farewell tour” a number of years ago, is now planning to appear in a regular Las Vegas show as well. And then there’s Tina Turner who turned in a rousing performance at the Grammy’s that makes it impossible to believe she’s 68.
The point here is — don’t let your age stop you from doing what you most love or feel compelled to do. We don’t stop wanting to achieve, create, and live life to the fullest because we’re older. The human need to grow and learn is a life long process. These women entertainers provide us with wonderful role models for not “going qently into that good night.” There was a time when Hollywood ignored anyone over 35 — these women are changing those rules. And if Hollywood can change the rules, so can you.
TAGS: aging gracefully, Bette Midler, Cher, life long learning, Tina Turner
