215. Smart Experiments

"Frankenstein" (1931), directed by James Whale

According to Grant, "In learning cultures, people don't stop keeping score. They expand the scorecard to consider processes as well as outcomes" (218). As an example of this, he suggests that what might be seen as a "failure" in a "performance culture" context, might be seen as a "smart experiment" in a "learning culture" context, but only "if you evaluated the decision thoroughly" (219).

For this challenge, describe an experience you've had that you or others might have considered a failure at the time, but that might be a "smart experiment" if accompanied by thorough self-evaluation. Give examples of the evaluation process. What went wrong? What was your thinking or your strategy at the time and why was it flawed? What could you have done differently? Maybe you haven't thought of one of your "failures" like this, but this can be your opportunity to re-frame the experience in a productive way.

229. When I Grow Up

"Buzz Aldrin" (1969), photograph by Neil Armstrong

According to Grant, "When you're asked what you want to be, the only socially acceptable response is a job. Adults are waiting for kids to wax poetic about becoming something grand like an astronaut, heroic like a firefighter, or inspired like a filmmaker. There's no room to say you just want job security, let alone that you hope to be a good father or a great mother--or a caring and curious person. Although I study work for a living, I don't think it should define us" (230).

With the above sentiments in mind, what do you want to be when you grow up? Avoid the obvious, such as the job title you want to have or the kind of parent or spouse you want to be.

240. Microcommunity

"The Meurthe Boating Party" (1888) by Émile Friant

According to Grant, "Western conceptions of happiness as an individual state leave us feeling lonely. In more collectivistic Eastern cultures, that pattern is reversed: pursuing happiness predicts higher well-being, because people prioritize social engagement over independent activities" (238).

Grant goes on to describe one of his students who realized that "She might not be able to change the culture of an entire institution, but she could create a new subculture" (240). She and other students "built their own microcommunity. They weren't focusing on happiness--they were looking for contribution and connection" (240).

For this challenge, describe the kind of microcommunity you would like to create in the semester ahead. What kind of activities would this microcommunity do and how often would members get together? How organized or casual would it be? How would members communicate with each other and plan to get together?

243. The Daily Show

"Coming after the daily work" (date unknown) by Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky (1868-1945)

According to Grant, "Our identities are open systems, and so are our lives. We don't have to stay tethered to old images of where we want to go or who we want to be. The simplest way to start rethinking our options is to question what we do daily" (243).

For this challenge, identify three or four things that you would like to start doing daily. Avoid the obvious.

250. Thinking Out Loud

"Franklin D. Roosevelt chats with Georgia farmers in 1932, shortly before his election as president."

Grant says he'd " . . . love to see more people do their rethinking out loud, as FDR did. As valuable as rethinking is, we don't do it enough--whether we're grappling with the pivotal deicisons of our lives or the great quandaries of our time. Complex problems like pandemics, climate change, and political polarization call on us to stay mentally flexible. In the face of any number of unknown and evolving threats, humility, doubt, and curiosity are vital to discovery" (250).

With Grant's wis for all of us in mind, initiate some "rethinking out loud" in the comment box below. We're not looking for finished results and new conclusions. We're looking for the first step in a re-evaluation. Consider "a pivotal decision of your life" or "a great quandary of our time." You might want to use phrases like "I have always thought [x], but now, I'm not so sure . . ." What questions are you debating or mulling over?  If you're not currently do this, you might want to use this exercise to start.

The challenge here is to check something your actively thinking about, something you're trying to figure out for yourself, not something you've already figured out.

257. Make it so!

Patrick Stewart as "Jean-Luc Picard" in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987-1994)

Of the 30 "Actions for Impact" listed by Grant at the end of the book, choose one that you believe would be most helpful for you to focus on in the year head.

Plan to come back to this website between the fall and the spring semesters to re-read your comments and those submitted by others and add a further comment on your progress toward this or other ways you have made an effort to make "rethinking" a significant part of your life! Now would be a good time to set a reminder for yourself to do that.

The Think Again Takeaway

So you've read Think Again now. In 100 words or less, identify the part of the book that is most likely to stick with you the longest. What's your take away? Don't answer this question until you've finished reading the entire book.