Self-fulfilling prophecies

I came a very interesting (and old) study a few days ago that is making me question the role I had in becoming who I am today.

In a California elementary school, students were given a mock IQ test.

Once they finished, teachers were told the names of randomly selected students that had high potential compared to their classmates.

Note that these were randomly selected and not based on their actual IQ scores.

At the end of the study, those randomly selected students showed statistically significant gains compared to their peers.

The researches predict that the teachers subconsciously favoured the high performing students which in turn gave the children more confidence, leading to better performance.

Reflecting on this:

• Did I go into business because an aptitude test when I was 13 highlighted that I had the aptitude to run a business?

• Was I good at math and numbers because my parents told me that Rastogis are always good at math?

• How can I implement these concepts in my life?

P.S. - The research is with flaws and criticism, both from an ethical viewpoint and lack of replicability. You can read about it here.

Today’s Prompts

Self-fulfilling prophecies

What steps can you take to foster self-fulfilling prophecies that align with your goals and values?

Reflect on a time when someone’s expectations of you (positive or negative) significantly influenced your behaviour or performance.

Do you think your career path or personal identity has been shaped by others’ beliefs about you? Why or why not?

Quote of the day

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right." – Henry Ford

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!