"If you're not slightly embarrassed by the person you were a year ago, you probably haven't grown as much as you think." A few weeks ago, I stumbled across one of my old Facebook posts while searching for something completely unrelated. I wish I hadn't. The first...
Motivation Will Start You, But Standards Will Sustain You Every January, people make promises to themselves. They decide that this will be the year they finally apply for that scholarship, learn that skill, start that business, improve their health, or become more...
We love the word “potential.” We use it as a badge of honor. We tell young scholars and professionals, “You have so much potential,” and it makes them feel good. It creates the impression that success is an automated destination just waiting to happen. But here is a...
If you have been following our #ShowUp series, then you already know this: we do not believe in simply “ticking boxes.” Nowhere is this more dangerous than in your Statement of Purpose (SOP). Every year, thousands of scholars apply for the same prestigious programs....
Mentorship is often romanticized. Many people believe that once they gain access to a successful or experienced person, growth will automatically follow. But mentorship does not work that way. A mentor can provide guidance, perspective, and direction, but the real...
We often misunderstand discipline as a cage, a rigid and punishing lifestyle of “no.” No sleeping in, no scrolling, no relaxing. We imagine the “free” person is the one who does whatever they feel like, whenever they feel like it. But after years of teaching, running...