Famous Failures

This helps to reinforce Carol Dweck's growth-mindset theory. 

Reflecting

More wisdom from Kevin Eikenberry:


This week’s quotation struck me hard when I read it. Not because of the words directly – but because of their implication for me and you. Check it out, read what I have written, and reflect on it for yourself.

“For the rest of my life I want to reflect on what light is.”
- Albert Einstein, physicist

Questions to Ponder

• How often do I reflect on anything?
• What do I want to learn about for the rest of your life?
• What interests me and compels me enough to keep learning about it?

Action Steps

1. Really reflect on the questions above.
2. When you have answers, get started.

My Thoughts

This quotation made me stop in my tracks.
It inspired me.
It convicted me.
It got me thinking about the power of purpose and the power of learning.
It reminded me too of what successful people do that others don’t. Most people wouldn’t have that single-minded purpose. Most people don’t reflect on much of anything, let alone something specific (and yes, difficult).
But most people don’t earn a Nobel Prize either.
If you want to achieve more in any area of your life, get more focused, and start learning.
Thanks Albert.

Everyone Is a Genius

I love this quote.  It fits well with a favorite book of mine--The Animal School.  We want to bring out the genius of each of our Esperanza scholars by remembering the uniqueness of each one. 

Leadership In Spite of Others

Joan of Arc to a general: "I will lead the men over the wall."

General: "Not a man will follow you."

Joan of Arc: "I won't be looking back to see if they're following me."

Joan of Arc understood that the number of people following her did not define her mission or her leadership to accomplish that mission. Relying on the opinions of others and/or their support limits us.

Yesterday for Family Home Evening I read a BYU Devotional talk by Adrian Van Mondfrans that he gave on June 1, 1982 called "Becoming Men and Women of Principle." I feel strongly that the leaders I want to follow and the leader I want to become needs to be a person of principle. This requires developing good characteristics. Mondfrans suggested the following steps to acquire good characteristics:

Step 1: Read about the characteristic I want to develop. Ponder on it to gain greater understanding.
Step 2: Make the commitment to do it--over and over. Be stalwart, not easily discouraged. Don't make excuses for failures.
Step 3: Pay the price. There will be distractors because opposition is real.

Some distractors will be people who are not supportive as well as some who are critical of the leadership. At these times it is helpful to remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." The words, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds, from Albert Einstein can also be helpful.

A Lesson From the Freedom Fighters

Last night we watched a documentary about the Freedom Riders. The courage they had is an inspiration. They stayed true to their cause in spite of the heinous trials and afflictions they faced.

This true story is a reminder that no matter how just our cause is there is no guarantee that we won't face opposition. In fact, if there is no opposition the cause is probably not big enough. As Albert Einstein said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

It is important for those of us founding Esperanza to remember this...and not give up our commitment to the cause when opposition appears.