In the argument section, Shenk quotes Jamaican coach Fitz Coleman, "It's the mind-set. We're small and we're poor, but we believe in ourselves." Shenk also tells us that science has demonstrated that a person's mind set has the power to dramatically affect both short-term capabilities and the long-term dynamic of achievement. (110)
How do you believe the ability to affect performance using ones mind set allowed our ancestors to survive in the wild? Could it have acted as a disadvantage in some ways? Do you believe that your personal mind-set has ever helped you perform better in a sport or on a test? Has it ever harmed your performance?
Vlad Miskevich (vladmiskevich@yahoo.com)
The mind set likely has been a critical asset to the human race throughout evolution. In viewing the achievements of homosapiens over neandrathals, the likely difference between the two closely related groups was that the homo sapiens were more equipped physically, and potentially simply had more desire. Though we will never know for sure just how the Homosapiens came out on top, it is evident that whatever advantages our species had then, still exist today.
ReplyDeleteSurely the struggle between long term and short term views of the world can conflict and do have the potential to cause harm. Shenk states that "you have to want it, want it so bad" (120). In this way, wanting isn't always all of the battle. At times, people want certain goals that simply are not beneficial to their overall survival. This creates conflict between the mind and physical matter, and surely has potential to cause harm. Furthermore, in viewing parenting, Shenk states that there is a "right way and a wrong way to direct your kids toward achievement" (139). This can also be spread to finding your own achievement. Though great desire has potential to take someone to strive toward their goal at all costs, it may also cause them to break the rules, or not achieve their best result.
Overall mind set likely has played a part both in the human race's efforts to make progress forward, and will have importance for the future of our race.
Jacob definitely brings up a good point with the idea that homo sapiens must have had the better mind set or stronger desire to survive over neanderthals. Since the neanderthals and homo sapiens were fairly similar in terms of body make up and physical capability, there must have been that extra push of motivation and better mind set allowed them to come out on top.
DeleteOur ancestors were able to use their positive mind sets to survive in the wild and beat out any competition that they had. Especially in times where it was difficult to survive because of lack of technology and food, our ancestors must have had good will power and determination to beat the odds and stay alive and reproduce. They also must have had a good mind set to provide for their families with the limiting circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThe only really possible disadvantage of relying on having a good mind set is that most humans are very fragile so a mind set can be easily altered. One aversive event or situation can cause a person to lose all hope and fall into deep depression. Although depression is based on low levels of serotonin in the brain which could happen naturally (http://www.webmd.com/depression/recognizing-depression-symptoms/serotonin). If one is relying mostly on mindset to survive, and their mindset turns negative due to a biological reason, they would have trouble surviving in a difficult environment.
Also, personal mindset has definitely helped me perform better in school and sports. People consistently use the phrase "think like a winner", meaning that you have to establish a positive mind set to get ahead or do well. One can experience self handicapping and make up excuses for why they will not do well on a test, and since they're going in with a bad mind set, they will allow for that mind set to dominate and make sure they go along with their self fulfilling prophecy.