Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler
Book Summary:
“When we learn, we change what we believe and how we interact with the world. This changes who we are as people and what we can achieve.
Many people grow up being told they are ‘not a maths person’ or perhaps ‘not smart’. They come to believe their potential is limited.
Now, however, the latest science has revealed that our identities are constantly in flux; when we learn new things, we can change our identities, increase our potential and broaden our capacity to receive new information.
Drawing from the latest research, Professor Boaler followed thousands of school students, studied their learning practices and examined the most effective ways to transform pupils from low to high achievers. Throughout her study, Boaler has collaborated with Stanford University neuroscience experts, harnessing their expertise to reinforce her advanced understanding of learning and educational development.
In Limitless Mind, Boaler presents original groundbreaking research that proves that limiting beliefs really do hold us back from fulfilling our potential and that with a few careful life hacks we can transform our potential for good.”
Publication Date:
September 3rd, 2019
Genre:
Self-Help & Personal Growth
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Review:
Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler presents the idea that brains are not fixed from birth. Boaler shares research and studies that back up this message as well as how this can help us move from the fixed brain mindset to the brain growth mindset as learners.
Jo Boaler Ph.D.
Jo Boaler is a professor at Stanford and backs up her book with a plethora of research. She shares this information in an accessible manner that is readable for someone who is not an academic in her fields of work. She breaks down her message into accessible chapters that help us better understand this newer research.
When We Learn We Develop New Pathways In Our Brains…
The crux of her book is the idea that when we learn and push ourselves, we develop new pathways in our brains. We are not born with brains that are made to be good (or not) at certain subjects but we actually develop them, and this ability never stops. Our brains are constantly growing and this happens by stepping outside our comfort zones.
Pushing Through Struggles
We can do this by pushing ourselves in areas that are challenging and pushing through struggles and even mistakes. As we do this, the pathways in our brains are delicate but the more deeply we use these pathways the stronger they become. This message is the push for why struggle and mistakes are actually beneficial and allow our brains to continue to grow.
When we face challenging situations, rather than fear causing us to turn around, forge ahead, knowing these are the situations that help brain growth. Mistakes are a part of our everyday lives but many of us have grown up to think of mistakes as things are “bad” and something we should try and avoid.
Mistakes Are A Good Thing!
Boaler encourages mistakes and strongly feels that facing obstacles is how we can learn and thrive. When we struggle, our brains are more active and are working harder than when we are just in” autopilot” mode. When we are able to change our perspective on failure, we are able to live a more limitless life and continue on the path to improve and grow.
Life gives us endless moments where we can learn, grow and connect. Mistakes can help us be determined, proactive and move forward. Boaler shares that we are often unmotivated in areas where at one time someone or something gave us the idea that we couldn’t be successful. I found this message to be so motivating and inspiring.
Lifelong Learning & Growing
As someone who has spent much of my academic life feeling like I wasn’t “good” at certain subjects, this book is such a wonderful reminder that life long learning and growing can not only help us live fuller lives but the things we can master are, indeed, limitless.
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and Jo Boaler for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.
