Thoughts from the Editor

Thoughts from the Editor

Last month, I had the opportunity to teach a class in San Diego about vocation, calling, and purpose to a group of amazing high school students. Exploring the topics of gifting, skill development, and finding one's path in life is something I really enjoy teaching, probably because I struggled with it as a young man. While many of my high school friends had clear plans for their future and went on to prestigious universities, I took a different, more meandering path toward finding a career and sense of purpose.

I remember vividly the embarrassment and shame I felt in middle school when I realized I wasn't placed in the advanced math class like most of my friends. Standing there, surrounded by a group of sarcastic prepubescent boys, I started to believe the poisonous lie that I wasn't smart enough and that somehow my future was limited. This harmful idea quickly took root in my impressionable mind, twisting my attitude towards learning, personal growth, and my own potential.

It's incredible how something as seemingly innocuous as a middle school class placement can derail a person's confidence and direction. I began to doubt my ability to learn and grow, so I did what many of us do when faced with shame—I hid, pretended, and acted indifferent. Instead of contemplating college, trade schools, or considering future career paths like my peers, I avoided the topic altogether and focused on living in the present moment. I internally labeled myself as a “dumb kid,” so I never pushed myself to learn or grow. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I read my first entire book, and my first college math course was when that subject first clicked.

Regrettably, my story is not an uncommon one, highlighting the repercussions of a fixed mindset. In her groundbreaking book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," Carol Dweck demonstrates the impact of a person's mindset. She communicates a compelling difference between those with a “growth mindset” and those who hold a “fixed mindset.” A fixed mindset person (or my younger self) avoids challenges, gives up easily, sees effort as fruitless, ignores useful feedback, and feels threatened by others' successes. As a result, all of these behaviors ultimately confirm a deterministic view of the world. Simply put, nothing's gonna change.

I can’t point to a specific day or moment that marked a significant shift in my life and mindset regarding what is achievable. And instead of having a designated mentor with an official badge, I was fortunate to have a group of older and wiser men and women who recognized my potential and actively supported my growth. In my journey from being a mediocre student to navigating a career path filled with numerous changes, I developed a deep affection for learning, growing, and applying the wisdom I’ve gained along the way to build something meaningful. Without knowing it, I adopted a Growth Mindset and it changed everything for me.

In a surprising twist of fate, I now get to share my story and teach people how to cultivate a growth mindset and embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a stepping stone towards mastery, learn from criticism, and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others.

Eric Riley Executive Editor Lifestyle Magazine President / Owner Topograph