<p>that teacher sounds like a more radical version of my mom lol</p>
<p>but anyways, at this point, I assume she is not going to change her views on life,considering that fact that she has a child in grad/med/law school(undergrad cant get jobs anywhere near 300k), she is probably at least middle aged. ability to listen to people’s rants and not blow up is an important skill in life, just pretend that you are practicing that whenever you are in class.</p>
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<p>BS. Even anesthesiologists don’t START with a 300k salary. Plus they have to pay more for malpractice insurance and whatnot. </p>
<p>And she’s mixing up money with success. You don’t need a $300k salary to do well in life. It certainly helps but isn’t needed.</p>
<p>This is horrible advice and a stupid philosophy. Don’t listen to your teacher.</p>
<p>The closest I can think of that comes to $300K starting salary is being in NFL (there are 2 careers that I can think of that others say supposedly start at $250K but that is unconfirmed).</p>
<p>Money is NOT success. There’s a reason why most lottery winners end up being more depressed and unhappy after winning the lottery than before.</p>
<p>No, it is not easy to succeed as a happy respectful type of person. Heck, it’s not easy to succeed at all. If you take a good look at many successful people, you will see a ton of them will be complete jerk types. There’s a reason for that.</p>
<p>Being miserable isn’t key to success. Otherwise all the foster-care children and the abused children should all be billionaires. </p>
<p>But, growing up in a tough, hard environment is almost always the key in successful people. They get toughened up by the hardship, and they are always ready for whatever life throws at them. Unfortunately, that tough environment (too) often translates to misery.</p>
<p>Hating yourself and making yourself miserable is not the way to learn. You have to be passionate in a subject. Sure, you become miserable through hours of studying, but that kind of misery is not that the bad one. It’s more of the good type since you’re doing a subject you enjoy learning.</p>
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<p>This really is not true at all.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say “always,” but it can be beneficial. By being exposed to negative aspects within one’s life, one is enabled to possess the ability to utilize those experiences and observations as a motive of change, something that can serve as a benefactor.</p>
<p>^The reason it’s not true, unfortunately, is because people in “good” situations have advantages that people in “bad” situations don’t. I understand the idea of overcoming obstacles, but the way it is now, there is not equal opportunity and people at birth are not in equal situations. </p>
<p>In most situations, I would say, a negative environment is NOT beneficial. There’s a reason more poverty-stricken, drug-ridden neighborhoods have lower graduation rates (obviously this all can’t be contributed to ONE thing).</p>
<p>And if you look at the most successful people, chances are they had easy lives growing up—which is NOT a knock on them (as I have too!), but just saying.</p>
<p>I think that’s where our perspectives differentiate. While I comprehend that not all individuals are born in an equalized environment, the world is composed of opportunities. Through motivation, one is enabled to succeed and thrive, something that in turn could alternate one’s previous conditions. By emphasizing a particular mindset, one can overcome obstacles. Ultimately, I think it’s oriented around one’s perception.</p>
<p>^You know, that’s great…but not realistic. I WISH that could be true–but it’s a MYTH.</p>
<p>How is that not realistic? I’m not stating that occurs in all cases, but one’s mindset is a powerful aspect in the process of accomplishment.</p>
<p>Yes, one’s mindset is certainly powerful, but there are certain situations that can overwhelm a person’s will. Are you telling me that’s the only thing stopping people from going from bad situations to good situations? A will/mindset? Because it’s not. I wish that was all there was to it, but right not it’s not that way. I, personally, have an unfair advantage. And it sucks. I want to change it.</p>
<p>Yes, because “bad” situations and “good” situations are subjective. If one alternates one’s mentality to one that is more appeasing, would that not then alternate one’s perspective on life and their situation? Could that then transform one’s current state of being? If one is content with oneself without negative attributes, wouldn’t that serve as the main objective? Appeasement and perspective formulate our lives. If they can serve as benefactors, their enhancement can possess a significant impact.</p>
<p>^Look, I’m not saying it’s impossible. And I’m not saying it’s not subjective.</p>
<p>But mind/will is not the only important thing—environment has a HUGE impact.</p>
<p>I think there is it more to it than will when you grow up in area with drugs, poverty, bad parents, horrible schools (example) versus a safe, suburban area. Sure, a mind can be put to use, but there is so much against the first case that the second doesn’t have to deal with. The first case can destroy lives, destroy wills, etc. </p>
<p>I want to believe what you are saying, but there is a reason that these situations have remained–its perpetuating and mindsets can NOT solve the problems many people face.</p>
<p>I can’t even image actually living in bad situations, because I’VE HAD AN EASY LIFE. I can’t think of having to deal with many of the things I’ve mentioned…and for people who have, it’s a lot harder to “succeed” than it is for me.</p>
<p>I don’t think that you are comprehending what I’m trying to insinuate.</p>
<p>Regardless of one’s natural environment, each individual possess a mentality, a perspective. That perspective can be developed, regardless of outside influences. I acknowledge that being susceptible to those around one upon developing original perception can lead to disadvantages or negative attributes, but through alternative exposure to benefactors and positive mentality, one can overcome those setbacks. Individuals can alternate their viewpoints and ways of thinking. Outside sources and economical conditions do not define one though. Perhaps the individuals that compose those surroundings can serve as negative influences, but ultimately life is about choices, perspective, and gradual alterations. If one transforms one’s perspective in a positive manner, one’s definition of poor conditions can alternate. Internal contentment can be encountered in all aspects of society. It solely depends on one’s mentality.</p>
<p>I don’t agree that it “solely” depends on mentality. YES, I DO AGREE THAT MENTALITY CAN HELP AND CAN GET YOU TO IMPROVE YOUR OWN LIFE.</p>
<p>But if mentality was all there was to it, why do the same families and people have the same problems. Why do all these cycles continue? </p>
<p>Yes, perspectives can be developed, but if you are in a worse situation, you are at a severe disadvantage.</p>
<p>Me, right now, I think my mentality is good and all, and whatnot. But in a different situation, who knows? Had I been an orphan or [insert problem here], I could be messed up. Now take, someone else, a good kid with overall good mentality. But they are constantly beat down and oppressed by their situation. Had they had what I have, they would probably be fine.</p>
<p>I do think mentality and will are POTENT, POWERFUL tools. BUT, I think environment is HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE and cannot be ignored; if we are claiming mindset is all that’s important, you are inherently saying that the poorer classes (and in effect, certain races) are inferior. </p>
<p>Based on what I’ve seen, and read, and watched, I do believe the mind is powerful, but that a person’s surroundings are just as powerful, or perhaps even morseso in some cases. </p>
<p>Obviously there will be successful people everywhere, but the average/proportion differs, so you can’t not look at that. (And that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t happy, but that’s another issue I could go on if you want…but hopefully you catch my drift).</p>
<p>That is absurd what your teacher is saying and she should really be fired for teaching this kind of thing to her students. Maybe if the kids she were teaching was trying to get into the very top engineering schools or something, but no! Some people want to be artists and there would be no point in slaving away for some math grade.</p>
<p>I agree that in order to achieve excellence in anything you have to sweat and work HARd… but it has to be towards something that matters to each person individually.</p>
<p>How is an emphasis on one’s mindset relevant to poorer classes and races? </p>
<p>What problems are you referring to? Are you referring to economical setbacks?</p>
<p>I think that you’re acknowledging this situation from an economic standpoint. Yes, economically, some individuals are at a disadvantage, however, that does not mean that their situations cannot be alternated through positive mentality.</p>
<p>Chocolate, don’t you acknowledge how much of our lives are oriented around perspective? Life itself is perspective. If we can attribute positive and beneficial aspects to that, our situations can alternate.</p>
<p>I’ll agree to disagree with you on this one though.</p>
<p>Hm…how can I put this? Once again, I’m not saying mindset is irrelevant–it IS extremely powerful, but just sometimes not enough.</p>
<p>Let’s say (yes, this is unrealistic) everyone has the same level of mentality. The same willpower. The same relative perspective. </p>
<p>But let’s distribute that across socioeconomic levels and just…personal problems. What I’m saying, is that it’s HARDER, but not impossible, for the lower end of people to aspire to be what they want than it is for the higher end.</p>
<p>You seem to think that willpower is all that stands in the way of succeeding, of being happy. But I don’t believe in that myth, which is that working hard and having a great mentality will ensure success and happiness–it’s the myth of the American Dream. I wish it were true, but I don’t think it is. It’s not true BECAUSE of the lower classes I brought up. Because of difficult situations people are placed in. Yes, they can succeed and DO, but I contend that they have a harder time with it. Top CEOs (and I am NOT saying this is success!) and business executives will mostly be from the elite…it is harder for someone in the lower ends of socioeconomic society to succeed, even if they have a great mentality versus someone in the higher end. </p>
<p>I think, just thinking “my life IS good” or “this aspect is” or something is not enough. You can’t lie to yourself, and if your situation stinks, it stinks. I think I grew up in a bubble, but I think I’ve burst it, and realize that I have had such an easy life, compared to so many people. Yes, situations can alternate, but I think it’s harder to alternate in another person’s situation than it may be in mine or ours. Willpower is not everything; environment is huge. That is my point. </p>
<p>Anyways, the teacher is stupid in making this comment. We can all agree on that, right?</p>
<p><strong>Let me make a more concrete point</strong></p>
<p>So, I live in one of the largest school districts. We have a graduation rate of about 80%. A sizable city near us has a graduation rate of 25%. (This is based on estimates from a few years ago.) Do you think this disparity is all due to willpower? To mentality? To perspective?</p>
<p>Because I certainly don’t.</p>