“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.”
– Gever Tulley, founder of the Brightworks School and Tinkering School
Tulley is a somewhat controversial figure, but his point is above controversy. We’re making some major mistakes with how we educate and manage ourselves.
First, we’re too often taught that there is only one answer to a given problem. Heck, half the time, the problem isn’t even the problem, so how can there only be one answer?! Second, we’re taught, early and often that failure is a bad thing. That’s true only if we quit.
When we get the chance to really sink our teeth into a meaty matter — to face an “unsolvable problem,” — and when we approach it with wide-eyed wonder and an open mind, there is only one outcome that is guaranteed: growth!
There was a wonderfully compelling article in the February 24, 2016 Wall Street Journal titled, “Why Solve The Unsolvable?” (That’s a link to the video version of the story…)
In effect — aw, heck, I’ll just quote it: “The most valuable problems may be the unsolvable ones.”
The article highlights a program for freshmen in the Northwestern University school of engineering. Tasked with designing and building devices to help individuals with disabilities perform simple tasks, the students work in teams of four with a total budget of $100. Think “one-handed crocheting” here, and you’re on the right track. Why would a first-class college ask freshmen to tackle seemingly undoable deeds? The author, Sue Shellenbarger (who’s really, really good…just sayin’…) writes that working on unsolvable problems is “an important life skill that is applicable to anyone.”
So, I’m thinkin’, if it’s an “important life skill that is applicable to anyone,” hadn’t we oughta get ourselves some of that? Let’s skip over a couple of the layups, and tackle something that no one else is willing to take on. I bet we make a difference!
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