Embracing change can be valuable in itself, as it promotes personal growth and exposure to new ideas. People often underestimate the significance of change, mistakenly viewing themselves as static individuals. The journey of self-discovery and evolution continues throughout life, indicating that choices should reflect anticipated growth rather than current circumstances. The reality is that individuals evolve significantly over time; thus, decisions made today will shape who they are in the future. Young people should consider how their choices influence the people they will become, rather than fixating on the present version of themselves. Understanding that life is a marathon, not a sprint, encourages patience and experimentation. Mistakes and exploration are part of the process, allowing for a richer experience without the pressure to have everything figured out. The overwhelming focus on future outcomes, particularly in educational contexts, detracts from opportunities for creativity and intellectual curiosity. Encouraging a culture that values exploration over strict achievement can foster a more balanced and fulfilling approach to personal and career development.
Revisiting Steve’s 2021 conversation with the economist and MacArthur “genius” about how to make memories stickier, why change is undervalued, and how to find something new to say on the subject of scarcity.
- SOURCE:
- Sendhil Mullainathan, university professor of computation and behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
- RESOURCES:
- "Fictional Money, Real Costs: Impacts of Financial Salience on Disadvantaged Students," by Claire Duquennois (American Economic Review, 2022).
- "Do Financial Concerns Make Workers Less Productive?" by Supreet Kaur, Sendhil Mullainathan, Suanna Oh, and Frank Schilbach (NBER Working Paper, 2022).
- Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, by Leidy Klotz (2021).
- "Heads or Tails: The Impact of a Coin Toss on Major Life Decisions and Subsequent Happiness," by Steve Levitt (NBER Working Paper, 2016).
- Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir (2013).
- "The End of History Illusion," by Jordi Quoidbach, Daniel T. Gilbert, and Timothy D. Wilson (Science, 2013).