-
The Pressure To Always Be The Smartest One In The Room
It is embarrassing. Nerve wracking. Anxiety provoking. I do not know what I am doing. I am not in control. Everyone else has it figured out. Except me. What was I thinking when I signed up for this class? I would drop it right now but somewhere in me I know I need it. I…
-
If I’m So Smart, Why Do I Feel Like A Failure?
Was this you? You were told repeatedly that you were so smart; that you had a high IQ. You were the top student. Your parents and teachers praised you often for your abilities and achievements. School was easy so you could get high grades without studying. You won awards. Teachers said that you were gifted. Your parents said that you’d…
-
Being Told That You’re Gifted — Good News And Bad News
I make a pretty convincing argument in this blog that you have a rainforest mind. In spite of yourself, you have to agree. Right? On the other hand, when I tell you that you’re gifted, I can see you squirm. For many reasons. For one– being told that you’re gifted is both good news and bad news.…
-
The Hazards Of Praise And Too Much Smartness
Perhaps you were a curious, effervescent 8 year old. You adored your books and your teachers. You excelled at academics and got straight A’s. Your parents were thrilled by your accomplishments and told you how smart you were. Teachers appreciated your helpfulness and praised you for your grades. The attention was well-meant but excessive. It felt good, and yet, you questioned the truth…
-
I’m Not Gifted, I’m Just Lucky
I’m not gifted, the teacher likes me. I’m not gifted, I’m a good test taker. I’m not gifted, I barely passed calculus. I’m not gifted, this is easy. I’m not gifted, I haven’t done anything remarkable. Sound familiar? But what if you are g-g-gifted. Why do you feel like you aren’t? Why do you feel like…