Week 159 – April 2, 2023 – Shifting My Mindset

Three times a charm… am I right? I’ve attempted to write this weekly blog post three times. This is the third time. You’re welcome. And, I don’t think it will be a post about Human Development even though it might be representative of my state of being in MIDDLE ADULTHOOD. Today, I went to an open house and it was the perfect house. I was not prepared to make an offer, but wished I was. There was lots of interest in the house and they were taking offers today at 4pm. No can do.

I’m wondering if this was a metaphor of what is. Who knows? I’m not reading into anything. What that little house told me was, BE READY. I’m ready for change. As much as I think that I want routines and the status quo, I am realizing is, I need to keep growing and learning. In doing so, change is inherent. What I am also learning is, I can’t do this on my own. I need help from others and there’s no shame in that. Another thing I am learning is, I did not fail because I could not my house today.

THE LEARNING MINDSET. I read in the Human Development Resource under adolescence describing the difference between growth and fixed mindsets in terms of learning goals versus performance goals. I needed this at the time when I read this a few weeks ago. It took some time to shift my mindset. I was so focused on performance and what other people thought of me. I thought I overcame that when I landed on my chest in curling, slipping on the ice while saving my face.

Nope. Not the case. Falling in front of people (twice) on the curling ice last week was a turning was definitely a turning point. I was not embarrassed or shamed. I was joking around and being myself. That’s the key. I was myself. The testing continued. I needed that falling-catalyst to jump into setting my mindset to applying for a tenure track position. I had to update my CV, teaching statement, and research statement as well as the cover letter, of course. I learned a tonne.

In my application, I was very intentional in terms of what position I was applying for, what evidence I was providing to articulate my teaching and research, and I was not overselling, hiding, or trying to someone else. I was ready to apply and was able to learn from various websites what I needed to do in my application. I loved learning about how to write an academic CV and why it was important. It took me HOURS to revise. I underestimated the time but I am so pleased with it now.

For my teaching and research statements, I saw some examples online and started re-writing each one. Each statement expanded from half a page each to two-pages each. I am so proud of my accomplishments and where I want to go. I’ll admit that I imagined my research program as a three-circled Venn Diagram, but not sure if that came across in a clear way. I’m still thinking of a quick blurb to describe my work. Teaching Innovations Researcher. Hmm… just made that up and it has a ring.

I am proud of myself for investing many, many hours into this application. I’m not too caught up in the outcome, but I was more consumed by the learning and it was wonderful to see my growth over time. I am growing. I am learning. And, this is my job to do so. I am also grateful for my references and mentors for their ongoing support. I am so lucky to have these people in my life. Their wholeheartedness, honesty, and willingness to lift me up is heartwarming and truly humbling.

Despite of some obstacles experienced this week, I am learning to keep my mind, body, and spirit in the LEARNING MINDSET. Otherwise, I’m second guessing, not sure, or scared. I can’t function when I’m in a state of FEAR. I can’t grow or learn. I end up hiding and minimizing who I am as a person. I lose sight of MY WHY and believe that other people are “right.” The only person who knows what’s right for me is me. That’s it. And, I’m ok if people don’t agree with me. It’s not about me.

The week ended horribly. I went to bed early on Friday, enjoyed my “be a person day” on Saturday, and took this day… Sunday… to look at my perfect house, take care of myself, and be the person I am and going to be. I am learning more about who I am with each day and growing into this way of being is truly aligned to who I am. When I made that TEDxWestVancouverED, I was looking for this alignment. I think I’ve found it. No one else has to like it but me. That’s all that matters. 🙂