"But... I'm Not Smart Enough"

You ought to go back and get your PhD, Robyn, Ellen Weber remarked at the end of a MITA session for leaders.

But, I'm not smart enough...

You're one of the most brilliant people I know, Robyn... 

I was stunned.  First by this revelation about my own beliefs that came on the spur of a moment, as well as Ellen's response.

But, I'm too old...  You see, I was 58, and had not been in school for 30 years.  Talk about something far fetched in my mind... getting a PhD was just that.

Nonsense, Robyn.  You can learn well at any age... 

That summer, Ellen and I attended a one week session with business leaders, doctors, teachers, and writers at Chautauqua Institution. I found intellectual challenges during the daily sessions so stimulating, I began to rethink possibility of attending university. 

There were so many hurdles... such as, passing entrance exams...interviews...finances  Once again, I began to question whether I could do it... if I was truly smart enough and if the cost, time, work and effort were worth it. 

Like me, many folks hold myths about their brains.  And myths about the brain prevent people from developing their gifts and talents. 

Let's examine the myth I believed about myself... Other people are smarter than me...  Much of this idea comes from the notion that intelligence is fixed.  Academics had the notion that intelligence was fixed and not subject to change.  Most of you remember taking IQ tests to determine how intelligent you are.  Howard Gardner, of Harvard University,  shows in Intelligence Reframed, that IQ tests tend to measure only two intelligences: verbal-linguistic and logical mathematical without consideration of the full range of intelligences. 

Recent research show much about the brain's plasticity.  The brain's amazing plasticity enables folks to grow more dendrite brain cells in any area just by participating in new activities.  Then, as one goes to bed and sleeps the brain keep rewiring...

For me, participating in doctoral studies and conducting a research project at university stretched my mind to points I could not envision even at 40. 

I stepped out to take a risk, to stretch beyond everthing I could imagine.   I did it.  I walked down the aisle to receive my academic hood and diploma at the University at Buffalo four years later.

Ellen Weber encouraged me along this journey.  My husband thought I was crazy, but told me to go ahead.  He and my family supported me, too. 

Was it worth it all?  Absolutely!! 

Who's the person you would really like to be... and what myths might you begin to shatter?  Thoughts....

Thanks so much, Rosa, for the invitation to write my story for Joyful Jubilant Learning. 

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Robyn McMaster (Ph.D.) is the Senior Vice President of the MITA International Brain based Center. Robyn explored practical applications of MITA through both research and extended practices in several countries. Her Ph.D. in May, 2004, at the University at Buffalo, earned Robyn the opportunity to further explore collaborative curriculum development  for leaders and university learners through MITA applications there. At the invitation of University of Rochester, she currently serves as adjunct faculty to medical entrepreneurs.

Visit Robyn at her blog, Brain Based Biz.

Comments

[Rosa Say]

Wow Robyn, you are truly inspiring! If you could see me now, you'd see me doing a hula dance of joy cheering for your magnificent accomplishment. Hana hou!

I am determined to follow your great example and get out of my own way.

[Steve Sherlock]

Robyn, I'll join Rosa in dancing! (It's better than me singing!).

Thanks for sharing. Who would I like to be? That which is slowly evolving. Change is not overnight, old habits are hard to break. Like water on a rock, there can be progress and so I make my way finding encouragement and inspiration amongst fellow travelers on the life long learning road.

Arm in arm, we can form the learning conga line with Rosa! Some day for real, in the meantime, virtually will suffice.

[Joanna Young]

Robyn, thanks for sharing your personal experience of the way beliefs and myths can hold us back - and what happens when we burst through them!

I'd also like to thank you for everything you do to teach us about multiple intelligences, how the brain works, how we can get more, feel more, learn more, teach more...

I've learned so much from following your writing - and from the personal encouragement that you've offered to me and no doubt many many others.

I don't know if you see it like this but I feel you are coaching, challenging, inspiring people day and daily to break through those limiting beliefs and move forward into the world of what's possible...

Joanna

[Ellen Weber]

Great post and fun to find this terrific site.

What an inspiration to launch our Friday. Hey here's my added challenge....

Let's leap into Robyn's insights for a bit of new zip this weekend. Any takers - can thank Robyn for leading the way! Count me in!

[Robyn]

Rosa, what a generous invitation you extended to be a part of Joyful, Jubilant Learning. What a privilege to post with so many folks who have learning at heart!

I've always wanted to learn to hula in rhythm to beautiful Hawaiian music. I purchased some wonderful Hawaiian CD's, now to give it my best shot... and I'll join you in the dance!

Mahalo, Anna

[David Zinger]

Robyn
Way to go Doc...you have demonstrated brain plasticity and you have demonstrated Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset can trimuph over the Fixed Mindset. Amazing what you can do when you set you mind to it!
David

[Robyn]

Hi Steve, I'll certainly join you and Rosa in dancing!

Routine ways of thinking, stored in our brain are difficult to break. But beginning with the decision to do just that, it is a journey from that point.

Thanks so much for your thougtful comment.

[Robyn]

Joanna, I think you really sum up what I enjoy most based on all I have learned, "I feel you are coaching, challenging, inspiring people day and daily to break through those limiting beliefs and move forward into the world of what's possible."

Thanks, Joanna. And, I'd like to add that sometimes I encourage folks to take a risk for what seems impossible as I did. When we're willing to stretch beyond what we think we can do, it's amazing what happens.

And, I am a real fan of Confident Writing!

[Robyn]

I David, thanks for your kind words. I was not familiar with Carol Dweck, so I looked her up. Thanks, for sharing because I want to examine her work with greater depth.

David, in addition to a new mindset, it also took Dr. Ellen Weber's MITA strategies to help bring about the PhD.

[dave]

Welcome Robyn! Your areas of study are intriguing and bring fresh ideas to the JJL community. And your own story brings fresh inspiration.

The person I want to be? A person who strives to follow his personal values; one who listens to and learns from others; and one who respects both the earth and all of her inhabitants. Aside from the physical side, which needs an overhaul, I am close to the person who I want to be.

For me, it is getting this person to where he needs to go, once I figure out where where is. And while I am doing this, I am traveling along the road with this phenomenal group of people here who seem to be shattering myths on a daily basis.

[Robyn]

Hi Dave, I highly value our earth as you do - I love nature and enjoy walks through our woods... :-)

I guess as far as being the person I wanted to be, the response that came from me without thinking, led me to reflect very deeply about what I did want. It came like a revelation. And the notion that obtaining a PhD would lead me to the roots of learning itself and would help answer many of the questions I asked, was truly inspiring. I wanted to help make a difference for others.

Thanks so much for stopping by and reflecting a little with me.

[pamela]

Robyn:

I'm very happy for you and all that you have achieved. But not everyone is capable of getting their Ph.D. How can you possibly say that intelligence is not fixed when there are people who are mentally challenged? Surely we must have a certain fixed intelligence at birth!