There’s a body of research generally referred to as ‘Mindset Theory’. It emerges from the relatively new field of neuroscience and challenges commonly held beliefs that our intelligence is a fixed thing determined by our genes. No one claims that all brains are identical but this research clearly shows that what we do with our brains and what we believe about our intelligence will be the determining factors in how clever we become.
As an educator it was a preoccupation of mine to ensure that learners understood how the brain works – how the 100 billion brain cells we’re all born with only fire up and connect as a result of our efforts and repeated practice. I’ve witnessed both children and adults changing their mindsets over night as they realise that their intelligence is not a predetermined thing but rather something that has the capacity to grow through their lives.
Repeated practice is easier if you’re doing something you enjoy. Knowledge and skill build more quickly if you have experts to call on. David Beckham became a fantastic footballer because football was what he loved. He practised endlessly in his local park and had plenty of people around him who were willing and able to help him learn the necessary skills. Two wonderful books – ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck and ‘Bounce’ by Matthew Syed tell many similar stories about people who have become brilliant at what they do as a result of their determined efforts to succeed.
Many people think they don’t have what they believe to be an innate capability to garden. Some compare themselves negatively to a friend or relative who they refer to as being blessed with ‘green fingers’. The neuroscience is clear – we can all have green fingers if we believe that it’s possible; seek out the projects we enjoy and call on experienced gardeners to help us along our way.
