Michelle Obama's LIFE ADVICE On Manifesting Success Will CHANGE YOUR LIFE | MotivationArk

Summary

The speaker shares their journey from growing up in a working-class Chicago neighborhood to overcoming challenges in education, including doubters and impostor syndrome. They emphasize the importance of hard work, education, and mentorship in personal growth. Reflecting on their experiences at Princeton, they discuss societal biases and the need for self-confidence. The speaker advocates for women’s empowerment, education, and the value of mentoring others. They also highlight how small, everyday actions can lead to meaningful change and encourage young people to focus on self-care and mentoring those around them.

Takeaways

• 📚 Education is key to personal and societal growth, especially for women and girls, who are at the heart of raising the next generation.
• 🌍 Exposure to diverse ideas and cultures is crucial to breaking down barriers created by ignorance and limited worldviews.
• 💪 Overcoming doubt is a continuous process, and hard work is often the remedy for self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
• 👩‍🎓 Affirmative action applies in many forms, not just for underrepresented groups, but also for athletes, legacy students, and others.
• 🧠 Critical thinking and analytical skills are essential to navigate life's challenges and determine what's beneficial or harmful.
• 👩‍🏫 Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal growth, and giving back through mentoring is both fulfilling and impactful.
• 🤔 The question 'Who do I want to be?' is more important than 'What do I want to be?' in determining a fulfilling life path.
• 🤝 Small, everyday actions and influences can create significant change, especially when mentoring or guiding younger generations.
• 🏆 Success comes not just from talent but also from resilience and the ability to push through societal and internal barriers.
• 👶 Investing in oneself and one's education is the best asset, and mentorship is vital in continuing personal and professional growth.

Q & A

What challenges did the speaker face during their education in a working-class community?

The speaker faced challenges such as being criticized for being smart, being told they 'talked white,' and encountering teachers who underestimated them despite their academic achievements.

How did the speaker’s high school counselor respond to their decision to apply to Princeton?

The high school counselor told the speaker that they didn’t think they were 'Princeton material,' which created self-doubt, even though the speaker eventually applied and was accepted.

What is 'impostor syndrome' and how did the speaker relate to it?

Impostor syndrome refers to feeling like you don’t belong or deserve your success. The speaker experienced this after being admitted to Princeton, partly because of societal stigmas toward kids of color and from poor communities.

What realization did the speaker have regarding affirmative action in elite schools?

The speaker realized that affirmative action wasn’t just for students of color or from disadvantaged backgrounds, but also benefited athletes, legacies, and others with special privileges.

How did the speaker overcome doubts about their abilities?

The speaker overcame doubts by focusing on hard work, putting their head down, and letting their work speak for itself. They learned to trust their capabilities through effort and persistence.

Why does the speaker believe education is critical for solving global issues?

The speaker believes education is key to solving issues like climate change, terrorism, and poverty because it broadens perspectives, fosters empathy, and helps people make informed decisions.

What does the speaker say about the importance of self-care for young people aiming to create change?

The speaker emphasizes that young people should first invest in themselves by taking care of their space, health, and education, as this is foundational to making a meaningful impact.

How does the speaker define the role of mentorship in their life?

The speaker views mentorship as essential, stating that they benefited from others’ mentorship and now give back by mentoring others. Mentoring has been both fulfilling and educational for them.

What lesson did the speaker learn from their career path about finding fulfilling work?

The speaker learned that pursuing a career aligned with personal passions brings joy and fulfillment. They shifted from pursuing law to exploring roles that reflected who they truly were.

What advice does the speaker give to those who want to influence others?

The speaker advises people to focus on small, everyday actions that can positively influence those around them, such as mentoring a younger person or introducing them to new experiences.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Overcoming Doubt and Stereotypes in Pursuit of Education

The speaker reflects on their upbringing in a working-class neighborhood in Chicago and the challenges they faced in education. They discuss being academically driven but facing criticism from peers and underestimation from teachers. Despite excelling in school, their high school counselor doubted their potential to get into Princeton. This experience fueled feelings of doubt and imposter syndrome, which the speaker overcame by realizing that their self-worth was not tied to others' perceptions. Through hard work and self-assurance, they proved they were indeed 'good enough.'

05:03

🌍 Education as the Key to Breaking Down Barriers

The speaker emphasizes the importance of education for personal and societal growth. They argue that many global issues stem from ignorance and lack of exposure to different cultures and ideas. Education, especially for women, is crucial as women play a central role in raising the next generation. Without knowledge, people may struggle with basic survival and fail to contribute positively to solving major global challenges like climate change and inequality. The speaker encourages analytical thinking and learning as tools for overcoming fear and ignorance.

10:05

💡 Finding Purpose Beyond Traditional Career Titles

The speaker shares their journey of discovering that traditional career paths, like becoming a lawyer, did not fulfill their true passion. They highlight the importance of asking oneself not just what they want to be, but who they want to be. By networking and exposing themselves to various opportunities, the speaker found a more fulfilling path that led to diverse roles in public service and academia. They encourage young people to focus on what brings them joy, as this is key to personal and professional success.

15:09

💪 Small Actions, Big Impact: Mentoring the Next Generation

The speaker underscores the power of small, everyday actions in influencing others. They encourage young people to invest in themselves first and then think about how they can positively impact those around them, such as younger siblings or peers. Mentoring, the speaker argues, is a two-way street—both mentor and mentee benefit from the relationship. They also share their personal experience of being mentored and emphasize that change doesn't always come from grand gestures, but often through small, meaningful interactions.

🤝 The Lifelong Importance of Mentorship

The speaker discusses the importance of both receiving and offering mentorship throughout one's life. They describe how they sought advice from previous First Ladies when they entered the White House, and how they continue to learn from others. They stress that mentorship is not limited to certain stages of life but is an ongoing process. The speaker encourages everyone to remain open to guidance and support from those with more experience, whether in personal relationships, parenting, or professional growth.

Keywords

💡Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome refers to the internal feeling of doubt where individuals believe they do not deserve their accomplishments. In the video, the speaker discusses this in the context of attending an elite school like Princeton, where societal perceptions and her own self-doubt made her feel like she didn't belong. Overcoming this feeling was crucial to her journey of self-confidence.

💡Affirmative Action

Affirmative action is a policy or practice of favoring individuals belonging to historically marginalized groups. The speaker challenges the perception that affirmative action only benefits minorities, arguing that elite institutions also give special treatment to athletes or legacy students. This realization helped her see that she was just as deserving as anyone else.

💡Education

Education is emphasized as a key to success and empowerment, not only for individuals but for society as a whole. The speaker believes education allows people to expand their worldview, overcome ignorance, and tackle global issues like climate change or inequality. Her own journey from public schools to Princeton is a testament to the transformative power of education.

💡Mentorship

Mentorship is the act of guiding or advising someone with less experience. The speaker talks about being mentored by others and giving back by mentoring younger generations. She sees mentorship as essential for personal growth, sharing that she created a mentorship program at the White House to help others, emphasizing the importance of giving back.

💡Barriers

Barriers refer to obstacles that prevent individuals from achieving their goals. In the video, the speaker talks about facing barriers like societal expectations, racial prejudice, and teachers underestimating her abilities. She overcame these barriers by believing in herself, working hard, and proving her worth through her achievements.

💡Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is the feeling of uncertainty regarding one's abilities or worth. The speaker shares her personal experiences with self-doubt, particularly when her high school counselor told her she wasn't 'Princeton material.' Despite these doubts, she continued to push herself, and through hard work, she overcame this internal struggle.

💡Community Expectations

Community expectations refer to the pressures and norms that come from one's social environment. The speaker grew up in a working-class community where not everyone valued academic achievement. She often felt out of place for excelling in school and had to navigate negative feedback from peers who criticized her for 'talking white' or doing well academically.

💡Hard Work

Hard work is a key theme in the speaker's narrative. She emphasizes that when she faced doubts about her abilities, she focused on working hard to prove her worth. This determination is a central message of the video, showing that perseverance and effort are critical to overcoming challenges and achieving success.

💡Role Models

Role models are individuals who inspire others by their actions or achievements. The speaker talks about how younger children often look up to someone just above them in age or experience. She encourages the audience to recognize that they, too, are role models and can have a positive influence on those around them by setting a good example.

💡Legacy Admission

Legacy admission refers to the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants with family ties to a school. The speaker contrasts this form of 'affirmative action' with that for underrepresented students, pointing out that many students benefit from legacy admission without facing the same scrutiny as students of color or those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Highlights

Grew up in a working-class community in Chicago, attended public schools, and faced resource limitations.

Experienced challenges being a high-achieving student in a community where not everyone had the same academic goals.

Faced criticism for excelling academically, including being told she 'talked white,' and experienced peer pressure to downplay intelligence.

Encountered doubt from a high school counselor who advised against applying to Princeton, despite academic achievements.

Overcame impostor syndrome at an elite school, where she felt societal stigma and personal doubt about belonging.

Recognized the biases behind affirmative action discussions, observing that privileges such as legacy admissions benefit many, not just students of color.

Worked hard to overcome self-doubt and let her work speak for itself, still feeling the need to prove herself because of her background.

Believes education is key for overcoming ignorance and solving global problems such as inequality, poverty, and climate change.

Highlights the importance of understanding who you are, rather than just following predetermined career paths.

Decided against being a lawyer after realizing it didn’t fulfill her, leading to new career opportunities by following her passions.

Encourages young people to focus on small, everyday actions to create change, emphasizing mentorship and influence over peers.

Mentors because she was mentored, believing in giving back and the power of lifting others up.

Started a mentorship program in the White House to connect youth with professionals and emphasize the importance of guidance.

Believes that even brief positive interactions, like telling children they are smart or beautiful, can have a lasting impact.

Continues to seek mentorship herself, stressing that learning never stops and mentorship is important in all phases of life.

Transcripts

as many of you know my background I mean

I grew up in Chicago in a workingclass

community my parents weren't wealthy so

we didn't have the resources to spend on

fees at private schools we went to the

neighborhood public school and I went to

public school my entire

life and I I was always that student who

wanted to get A's I wanted to do well I

enjoyed learning I enjoyed

excelling but what I found out is that

when you're one of those kids in a

community where not everyone has the

same

goals I found myself having to walk a

bunch of different

lines there were some kids that didn't

like kids who were smart and got good

grades there were some kids who

criticized the way I talk they said that

I talk like I was white which was

another way of saying that you think

you're better than other people so I had

to contend with with how do I get my

education when I'm surrounded by people

who may have different expectations of

me and those just weren't the kids in

the neighborhood there were teachers I

had to confront teachers who

underestimated me every step of the way

even when I applied to Princeton I write

about in my book and I tell the story

all the time even though I was at the

top of my class and I was a class

officer I was a leader when I sat down

with my high school counselor or

somebody who didn't know me but was

assigned to work with students to help

them apply to college and I told them my

intention was to apply to

Princeton that counselor told me I don't

think you're Princeton

material the person whose job it was to

help young people reach their dreams

when it came to college saw me and

whatever she saw on me told her that my

dreams were too

high and that cut me in a way that even

though I continued on I applied

obviously you know I got in but I still

remember that story I remember that

feeling of Doubt just another adult sort

of placing a barrier on me that I didn't

even have for

myself so then to enter into an elite

school when your high school counselor

has told you you're not good enough when

all of society sort of looks at kids of

color or kids from poor community or

rural communities as not

belonging you know I like many others

walked into that school with a stigma in

my own head more young people nowadays

call it impostor uh syndrome I don't

know if they call it that in in Britain

where kids like me feel like they don't

belong so they feel like they're faking

it and I had to get over that and one of

the ways that I got over it was that I

looked around at Prince

and I saw kids who were not as talented

or as gifted or as hardworking as I was

I learned that this notion of

affirmative action sometimes only

applies to kids of color or kids from

different backgrounds or poor kid but

there are all kinds of affirmative

action that take place in Elite schools

around the country athletes who are

admitted because not because they're

great students but because they can add

value Legacy people who come from

families with long Lines within the

school they get

admission so I started to realize that

the doubts that I had in my head were

all mine and I had to work to overcome

that question that I always ask myself

am I good enough and I write about that

that's a question that has dogged me for

a good part of my life am I good enough

to have all of this am I good enough to

be the first lady of the United States

and I think that many women and

definitely many young girls of all

backgrounds walk around with that

question but how I overcame that is how

I overcome anything hard

work so whenever I doubted myself I I

just told myself let me put my head down

and do the work and I would let my work

speak for

itself and I still find that I do that I

still feel that at some level I have

something to prove because of the color

of my skin because of the shape of my

body because of who knows how people are

judging but it takes some time and it

takes some maturity to start having some

successes under your belt where you

realize yes in fact I am good

enough I absolutely believe that

education is the key not just for young

women but for people in general

knowledge the opportunity to mature to

try new things to meet new people to be

open to different

cultures you know a lot of the problems

that we have in the world come from lack

of knowledge you know people who are

just underexposed to all the different

ways there are to be

human uh and we judge people based on

our limited understanding of the world

and and I always try to hold out empathy

for those who were in that position

because I know that it's based in a

place of ignorance sounds like a harsh

word but it's the appropriate word just

not knowing you only know what you know

and sadly if your world view is this

small and you know no one else that

looks or think differently from you

because you didn't have the chance to be

educated or to travel or to see the

world or to have your ideas challenged

and to learn how to be

analytical you know then it's

understandable that you would be afraid

of something different from you but the

only way we break through that is to

educate ourselves and to educate the

Next Generation you know to open them up

to new

ideas if you're not a strong reader if

you can't take in huge amounts of

information and break it down and have

it make sense

you won't even know when things are good

for you or bad for

you so yes I absolutely believe and

particularly for for women and girls

because women still raise the Next

Generation women are at the heart of all

Society we bring life we raise life we

nurture life we feed our families and if

we don't know what to do if those

mothers raising children don't know how

to keep them alive or not expose them to

diseases or to feed them when they're

hungry if they can't raise a living to

bring resources in we all struggle so it

would seemed to me that if we want to

solve anything any major issue that you

can think about climate change

terrorism poverty inequality it starts

with an

education I I don't know how we we do

any of it if people don't know what they

don't

know one of the challenges that formal

education places before young people is

that you're taught to figure out what

you want to be when you grow up right

and you're given titles and there's a

finite set of them a lawyer teacher a

researcher you learn those

titles and then you you do the work to

get to those titles and then you get

jobs and you have

careers what I learned was none of that

has anything to do necessarily with who

I am not what I want to be what do I

care about how do I want to wake up and

invest my time every day what brings me

joy what makes me sad we don't teach

that in school but I learned to try to

find that for me and turn that passion

into my career and that was some of the

best advice because that's when I

decided learned that I didn't want to be

a

lawyer because I'd never taken the time

to think about why was I going to law

school I was going to law school because

I thought I should be a lawyer not

because that's who I was it wasn't that

work filled me up so I had to learn how

to do that and that required networking

and exposing myself to more people and

more jobs and more careers and more

opportunities as a result of that I

became uh an assistant to the mayor in

the city of

Chicago and then I went on to run a

nonprofit organization and I went on to

be an associate Dean at a university and

I went on to be the vice president at an

academic Medical Center and my life just

started opening up in ways that I never

predicted because I started asking

myself that one simple question not what

did I want to be but who did I want to

be and how did I want to show up in the

world and if you all can get the jump on

starting to ask yourself that question

as you you know go after your

careers if you're starting to think

about what what kind of work will bring

you

Joy because if you find that you're

going to do well at it and everything

else is going to fall into place and it

did for

me I think young people when they think

about

change you get hung up on thinking that

the only change that matters is

something big and huge and powerful and

mighty starting your own organization or

moving the needle on a on an initiative

but when you're

young the best thing you can do do is

number one take care of you because you

are the best asset you can invest in at

this time so that means taking care of

your space your health your education

protecting your heart is an important

investment for the bigger picture and

then think about who's just who's around

you who can you really influence and

everyone can influence someone maybe

it's a young sibling you know maybe it's

a neighbor uh maybe it's another girl in

a class below you because when you think

about it younger kids they don't

necessarily look up to the teacher they

look up to the girl right just above

them so I would urge you to think about

who do you have access to right now

today that is looking to you for

guidance they see you as a role model

because I guarantee you there is someone

in your life right now now who thinks

that the sun rises and sets on every

word you say and I would start talking

to them and I would do small things like

bring them with me when I did something

unique taking them to a museum it's

those small gestures that matter it's

not the grand sweeping actions that make

change change happens every single day

with the little interactions that you

have have with the people in your

life well I Mentor because I was

mentored yeah I think Maran Wright

Edelman one of my heroins said service

is the rent we pay for living and I feel

the same thing I feel like when someone

invests in me as many people have I

didn't get here on my own I didn't get

here because I was some miracle kid that

had dust sprinkled on me and things just

happened there were people in my life

who saw potential in me people who

didn't have to make the investment who

held a hand out and showed me the way

and some of them were much older than me

some of them were people who were my

peers or people just ahead of me so I am

a product of the generosity of other

people's

mentorship so the expectation of myself

is that I give that back and it's also

selfish of me that I Mentor because I

get a lot out of it too I mean one of

the best things I do is spend time with

younger people because they keep me

focused they as I said at the top of

this conversation you all keep me clear

and

focus I feel fulfilled in helping you

achieve your goals it's the most

fulfilling thing that I do is to watch

another person benefit from something

that I help them do I'm not not here to

compete with people I'm here to keep

continue to lift people

up my hope is that the support that I've

shown you and others have shown you you

will find it in you to show that to

someone

else one of the reasons I started the

mentorship program in the White House

was because I wanted people to know that

everyone has the time and the capability

even the first lady and the president of

the United States because the president

had a separate mentorship program too

and we connected our mentees with senior

people throughout the White House from

the chief of staff to the head of the

household to Secret Service

agents they were connected with people

on a regular

basis so if we can do it if we can find

the if we could find the time in our

busy lives to take a moment out because

it doesn't even take that long you can

have an impact on another person with

one good

conversation you know I never

underestimate the value of showing

children my regard which is why I take

time out when I see kids cuz I think

even if I'm with you in a photo line or

on a rope line that maybe there's one

thing I can say to you that you're

beautiful that you're smart that I see

you you know that I believe in you yeah

I don't know you but sometimes a kid it

just needs to hear that and that doesn't

have to come from the first lady it's

powerful when it does come from the

first lady but coming from you coming

from all of you to someone who looks up

to you it means the same thing so my

expectation for all of you is that you

find a way to mentor and maybe now is

not the time but at some point in your

life when you get to a place where you

have the space My Hope Is that you make

that time and that you continue to look

for the mentors in your life because I

still look for mentors even

today anybody who knows more than me I'm

going to sit them down and they're going

to become my friend and I'm going to ask

for help I did it when I came into the

White House one of the the first people

I sat down with were other living first

ladies I made it a point to meet with

every single one of them number one to

just thank them for their service number

two I wanted to make sure they felt the

lines of communication were open with me

third I wanted to know what it was like

for them what were their

challenges so you never stop learning

and I never stop

learning so if I'm still looking for

mentorship you all should be doing that

at every phase of your life whether it's

another mother when you become a parent

you're going to need other parents to

help you Mentor if you're in a

relationship you're going to want

mentorship to help you get through your

relationship ship it never

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