There's something about taking the path of least resistance that makes a lot of sense. But at the same time, we have to figure out which things in life are worth struggling through.
Angela DuckworthRead
I don't think that every child in America is going to necessarily aspire to, you know, a four-year degree from a liberal arts college or a certain kind of life. I think that people should learn to be excellent in the thing that they choose to do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Not all children aspire to a traditional degree; they should excel in their chosen path.
Angela Duckworth emphasizes that the societal expectation that every child should pursue a four-year degree in liberal arts may not align with their individual aspirations. Instead, she advocates for the idea that each person should strive for excellence in the specific field or pursuit they choose, valuing diverse paths to success.
Themes
ExcellenceEducationSuccessIndividualityPath
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to inspire students to follow their passions regardless of societal expectations.
More from Angela Duckworth
All quotes →There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is be free, as in to have choice: to not be told what to do but to choose what to do.
Angela DuckworthRead
Negative feelings are typical of learning, and you shouldn't feel like you're stupid when you're frustrated doing something. You might say to yourself, 'I can't do this,' but you should say, 'That's great.' That means you really have the potential to learn something there.
Angela DuckworthRead
As our knees and hips and eyesight deteriorate, we become more dependable, less impulsive, kinder, and less moody. Psychologists call this the maturity principle. My own life experience fits this principle to a T.
Angela DuckworthRead
I think the questions on the grit scale about not letting setbacks disappoint you, finishing what you begin, doing things with focus, I think that those are things I would aspire to or hope for for all our children.
Angela DuckworthRead
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