Hello humans, extraterrestrials, mythological creatures, and potatoes! 

I have decided to somewhat modify the format of this book, so that it is less like a narrative about my day to day life and more like a blog capturing certain important ideas and events pertaining to my very mundane existence. I feel that this would make this book a much quicker and more interesting read, as well as allow me to speak to you in my natural voice like a friend instead of as some faraway author. As you have probably already noticed, there will be gifs. Lots of them. 

Also, before we begin, I would like to wish a very happy birthday to the amazing YourAverageGhost! I hope you get to eat lots of food, chica!!! 

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Yes, mindsets. With the growing popularity of the book "Mindset," and its applications in education, I feel that it's important for me to share my somewhat unpopular opinion on its contents. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with it (I envy you), "Mindset" states that there are two types of mindsets that a person can have: a fixed mindset, and a growth mindset. According to the book, people with fixed mindsets believe that everyone's intelligence and abilities are fixed, and cannot be changed or worked on in any way. People with growth mindsets believe in the possibility for improvement, and embrace failures are chances to learn.

How does this relate to my life? 

Allow me to explain. 

My struggles with "Mindset" began two years ago, in my math class. My teacher at the time was...slightly obsessed with the book. When he explained it to us (because that's very math related, and is definitely something that should be done in math class) he totally degraded people with fixed mindsets, and said that having a growth mindset is the only way to truly improve. Since I personally have a fixed mindset, this made me feel absolutely terrible about myself. Every day, the things he said about fixed mindsets grew worse and worse, until it seemed as if he was forcing every person in his class to instantly switch to a growth mindset. His class left me frustrated with myself, and even angry (and having gained no mathematical knowledge whatsoever.) Still, I eventually got over it, and moved on with my life. 

After that year, I thought I'd never hear the word "Mindset" again. 

I was wrong. 

Today, I walked into one of my classes to find that the teacher had a Mindset-related graphic on the board. At first, I didn't recognize it, but at second glance, the horrors of my Mindset-plagued past began to return to me. 

Sure enough, she introduced the concept of Mindsets just as I remembered it from two years before. 

Growth mindsets are the reason people invent things, and fixed mindsets are horrible, diabolical enemies of progress that must be purged from the face of this planet. 

Okay, maybe she didn't say that. 

But that's certainly what it sounded like! 

And that wasn't all. She went on. 

"People with high IQ's tend to have fixed mindsets. The more times people tell them that they're smart, the more they want to keep that reputation. They'll do anything to stay smart...even cheat." 

Okay, yes, I was born with an IQ that's slightly above average. Yes, I have a fixed mindset. But does that make me a cheater? 

The teacher continued to talk about Mindsets as I began to descend into an abyss of pure, uncontrolled rage. Now, let me make something clear. I hold all of my teachers in the highest regard for dedicating their lives to leading the next generation on. I am not complaining about my teachers- they simply teach what they are supposed to teach. I am complaining about the false notions propagated by a horrible book, the concepts in which mentally attack supposedly "intelligent" young people. 

"When you tell someone that they're smart, you promote a fixed mindset. Instead, praise the process they went through to achieve something." 

Okay, I've never liked the term "process." In fact, I have a rather unpleasant history with the word. As a fifth grader, I knew how to do long division. I was given a bunch of division problems, and like a good child, I finished them all and turned them in. 

I got every single one of them right. But, get this, the teacher said I had to show the process.

On the problem 56/7, for example, that meant drawing fifty six lines and drawing circles around each group of seven, finding that there are eight groups. 

I was drawing circles and lines for a long time. 

Anyway, I digress. "Praising the process" just makes you think that you didn't do well enough. That's like telling someone "oh well, you tried." How is that supposed to make you want to improve, again? Guess when I improve.

When someone calls me smart. 

You see, Mr. Mindset Book, I'm a human being. Normal human beings enjoy the feeling of being intelligent. Normal human beings want to be told that they are successful, so that they will be motivated to be more successful. Sure, you can learn from your failures, but victory still feels great! Now, if you would excuse me, I have a fixed mindset to cultivate. 

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Since "Mindset" is popping up in a lot of schools, I wanted to get this message out to you before it comes your way. Being "smart" or having a high IQ is NEVER a bad thing. It does not mean that  you are a cheater. It does not mean that you are arrogant. It does not mean that you shy away from a challenge. Do NOT make the mistake of letting "Mindset" lower your self esteem. I can tell you from personal experience that it doesn't feel good. You are all amazing, intelligent people, and one book by one person can't change that. 

Yes, Mr. Mindset Book, I called them intelligent. What are you going to do, jump off the shelf and swallow me whole?