I Was Terrible At Math…

Summary

• In my early 20s, I believed I was bad at math.
• I struggled with math starting from pre-calculus and often cheated in school.
• I decided to stop using a calculator and began practicing math in my head.
• I started doing math in front of people, which improved my confidence.
• Someone complimented my math skills, which changed my belief about myself.
• I challenged myself by taking the GMAT, which is half math.
• I committed to solving 16 phone books of math problems, dedicating 4 hours each day for 4-5 months.
• By the time I took the GMAT, I scored above Harvard’s mid score.
• Remember, if it’s a skill, you can learn it.

Video

How To Take Action

Implementation Strategies for Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs, or Personal Growth

Develop a Growth Mindset

A good way to start is by shifting your mindset. If you think you're bad at something, challenge that belief. For example, if you think you're bad at marketing, start by learning one new marketing strategy a week and practicing it in small ways. This can boost your confidence over time.

Practice and Consistency

Commit to practicing the skill you want to improve regularly. If you want to be better at sales, spend 30 minutes each day reading about sales techniques and practicing them with friends or family. Consistent, small amounts of time daily can add up to significant improvement.

Incremental Challenges

Like I did with math, gradually increase the difficulty of what you practice. Start small with manageable tasks, and as you get better, take on more challenging projects. For instance, if you’re an entrepreneur, start by pitching your ideas to small groups before moving on to larger audiences.

Seek Feedback

Don’t shy away from doing things in front of others. Whether it's presenting your business plan or sharing your ideas, getting feedback is crucial. It’s like doing math in front of people; it builds your confidence and helps you see areas where you can improve.

Dedicate Focused Time

Set aside specific times each day for skill improvement. If you say you're going to spend 30 minutes each day learning something new, stick to it. This structured time helps in building a consistent habit, much like how I dedicated 4 hours daily to math.

Validate Progress

Use tools to check your progress. For example, if you're learning a new language, use language apps to test what you’ve learned. This is similar to how I used a calculator to check my math initially – it helps confirm you’re on the right track.

Self-Recognition

Finally, acknowledge your improvements, no matter how small. Celebrate small wins, like closing a minor sale or completing a course module. Recognizing your progress helps in reinforcing the new belief that you’re capable.

These strategies are low-cost and high-value, focusing on personal effort and small investments of time. They can be easily implemented and tailored to fit your specific needs, helping you achieve the desired outcomes in your personal or professional life.

Full Transcript

until I was in my early 20s I had an I am statement that I am bad at math I basically learned everything till Algebra 2 and then as soon as we got into pre-calculus I had a pretty you know bad experience and so then from then on I pretty much just cheated in my early 20s I decided to stop using a calculator for everything whenever I could do math I just tried to do it in my head I would check with a calculator afterwards I would compare then I started just doing math in front of people because that's what I was doing for the last few years and people like dude you're so good at math and I remember the first time someone said that to me I was like huh that led into me taking the GMAT because the gmats the like kind of the big standardized test for for business school and math was half the test and so I was like I have to get over this belief and so I did 16 phone books of math problems it took me 4 hours a day four or five months every day for 4 hours I would do math problems by the time I had the test I got whatever above Harvard's mid score if it is a skill you can learn it