Watch Your Words

Abstract

Because I study effort and achievement, people often assume that all I care about is effort and achievement. That's understandable—but incorrect. When I think of my own two teenage girls and how they show up in the world, I do not think first and foremost of their resumes. I do not go to bed praying that they graduate summa cum laude. And if a fairy godmother granted me one wish, it would not be for Amanda and Lucy to be successful. Do I care about effort and achievement? Yes, I do. Do I hope that my girls learn to work hard and smart, and to accomplish something of importance? Yes, I do.