we are all smart in our own way | Ali Anthony bell | TEDxUEHTP

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of understanding individual differences in intelligence and how recognizing personal strengths can help us achieve our full potential. They share personal stories of overcoming discouragement and discovering talents, emphasizing the value of perseverance, growth mindset, and learning from mistakes. Through examples like dyslexia and the theory of multiple intelligences, the speaker encourages others to find their unique purpose, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful impact on the world, despite challenges or societal expectations.

Takeaways

• 🎓 It's crucial to understand our differences and how we are all smart in unique ways.
• 🧠 We all have different intelligences and talents that can help us reach our full potential.
• 😔 Often, people are discouraged from pursuing their talents due to societal expectations or lack of support.
• 🎨 The speaker shares a personal story of finding passion in painting, despite being discouraged by others.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Life events, like having a family, can shift our priorities and require us to put passions aside.
• 🧬 The speaker discovered they had dyslexia, realizing it was a gift that many successful individuals also have.
• 🌍 Dyslexia is more common than we think, with 10-20% of people in the world affected, and many do not realize they have it.
• 📚 Multiple intelligences, as introduced by Howard Gardner, include logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical, and interpersonal abilities, among others.
• 💡 The secret to achieving potential lies in motivation, especially mastery, autonomy, and purpose.
• 💪 Growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, allows us to overcome challenges and continuously improve, with failure seen as a learning opportunity.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe it is important for us to know our differences and how we are all smart?

The speaker believes understanding our unique strengths allows us to achieve our full potential. By knowing how we are all smart in different ways, we can focus on developing those areas and overcome the limits imposed by others' perceptions.

What impact did the speaker’s algebra teacher have on their view of their intelligence?

The speaker’s algebra teacher made them feel negatively about their abilities, even though they were actually good at algebra. This experience contributed to the speaker's understanding that everyone has unique strengths, and intelligence should not be defined narrowly.

How does the speaker describe the journey of discovering one's talents?

The speaker explains that discovering one’s talents is often a personal journey that can be hindered by discouragement from others. It involves finding what one is naturally good at, sometimes despite societal pressures or doubts from those around us.

Why did the speaker stop painting for 20 years?

The speaker put painting aside to focus on their new responsibilities after getting married and having children. Their partner encouraged them to find a job to support the family, which led the speaker to prioritize financial stability over their passion for painting.

What is the speaker's perspective on dyslexia and its impact on individuals?

The speaker views dyslexia as a gift, noting that many successful individuals like Einstein and Edison were dyslexic. They emphasize that dyslexia can be a unique strength and encourage people to see their own challenges as opportunities for growth.

What are the three motivational factors the speaker identifies as essential for achieving one's potential?

The speaker identifies mastery (becoming an expert in something that matters), autonomy (the need to direct our own lives), and purpose (doing something meaningful) as three critical motivational factors that help individuals reach their full potential.

How does the speaker define a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset?

According to the speaker, a fixed mindset is the belief that talents and abilities are innate and unchangeable, while a growth mindset is the belief that skills can be developed through effort and learning, leading to limitless potential for improvement.

What role does failure play in developing a growth mindset, according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that failure is an essential part of the learning process. They suggest that by embracing failure as a learning opportunity, we can develop resilience, improve, and grow rather than seeing it as a reflection of our abilities.

How does the speaker suggest finding one's purpose in life?

The speaker suggests finding purpose by identifying what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at. These intersecting points help define your mission, vocation, profession, and passion.

What message does the speaker convey with the Mark Twain quote about the two most important days in a person’s life?

The speaker uses the quote to emphasize the importance of discovering one's purpose. They encourage listeners to take risks, make mistakes, and explore their passions to find the purpose that brings meaning and fulfillment to their lives.