Embracing a growth mindsetQUICK NOTE: I, as apparently many other people as well, did see Top Gun: Maverick on IMAX last weekend. Delivered big time. Old school action flick with just enough nostalgia and call back to the original film without being too cheesy. Do not wait for this one to come to streaming -- see it in the theater and on the biggest screen you can. Went with family members aged 11 - 75, some coming reluctantly. Everyone had fun, with the sold out theater cheering and clapping at points throughout the movie. You will NOT be disappointed. As I mentioned previously, we had a son graduate from high school this week. He is our third, so while we as parents could be seen as veterans of the experience, it was fun to see him processing all of the pomp, circumstance and revelry himself. The significance of the milestone was not lost on him and it is clear he is viewing it as what it should be -- a commencement of the next big chapter in his life. He is ready for it -- even if his driving is still a little suspect.....Despite my previously stated cynical view on commencement addresses, what also impressed me was the speech by the valedictorian of my son's class. I spoke at my own high school graduation, so I know how hard it can be to both compose and deliver a meaningful but entertaining address to keep the attention of parents, family members and fellow schoolmates (most of whom just want to get the diploma and be done with it all). The theme of her address was a good one: the importance of embracing a growth mindset. I was impressed with not only how the student delivered this message, but also how sophisticated, applicable and relatable it could be to anyone at any point in their life.Too often people think learning is transactional -- you take a class or attend a lecture or read a book and the result is a transfer of knowledge. At the end you learn something you didn't know before you started.Adopting a growth mindset instead emphasizes the entire process of learning. As you learn, you develop thoughts from what you are experiencing -- those thoughts you have along the way are just as valuable as the knowledge you are gaining. It also embraces imperfection and mistakes instead of avoiding them at all costs -- because we know that mistakes happen. A growth mindset encourages you to take risks and expand your capabilities because you know that something good will come of it whether you succeed or fail in what you do. The biggest benefit of adopting a growth mindset: it is an acknowledgement that you never stop learning, no matter how old, experienced or accomplished you become. There will always be something you can experience that can contribute to your development as a student, parent, partner, co-worker or human being. I'm sure that if you polled the recent graduates at this ceremony (my son included), the majority of them will not remember this address by the person who achieved the highest level of academic success in the class. The message, as helpful and eloquent as it may be, was just another lecture to which they had been conditioned to absorb.But I walked away thinking about it -- and I passed my thoughts along here. And hopefully you'll now think about what it means to adopt a growth mindset in your own life as well.So mission accomplished, Ms. Valedictorian of the Class of 2022. It will be interesting to see where your growth mindset takes you -- something tells me the sky is the limit....I know that we are on a bit of a Tom Cruise overload here, but I will say the Last Word is pretty funny if you have the time this week. There's other good stuff there too.Enjoy!XOXODave