Profound: February 2013 Archives

Modern Manliness and the Perpetual State of Low Expectations « Acculturated

"To one extent or another, I've been a party to this culture of low expectations. Part of the reason I was able to spend years rationalizing away my self-indulgent lifestyle and disinterest in committing to a serious, long-term relationship is because 90 percent of the guys I knew were as well (for various reasons, admittedly). In my case, I was having fun and getting to spend my time, money, and energies on Numero Uno. Despite the fact I've always been considered-mostly by myself-to be "manly," the direction I was heading in, and vision I was heading toward, was one that men of my grandpa's generation would rightfully shun and publicly shame."

How to be gritty: what children don't know can hurt them | Audacious Ideas

"Regardless of whether students are rich or poor, she said, the two habits that most accurately predict achievement are their self-control and their grit: the ability to deliberately practice new skills even when it's frustrating and confusing and kids feel like they're failing."