The Winner’s Mindset?

What determines success in learning? I’m still pondering.

Stay in touch with trends, find luck in connections, stick with the rational folks, and don’t dismiss those random contacts. Communicate effectively, market yourself and your accomplishments, bravely pursue your passions, and be persistent even in adversity.

Have a clear but flexible goal, nurture your body to fuel your mind’s productivity. Hillman, Erickson and Kramer (2008) reviewed exactly this link, showing aerobic exercise measurably benefits brain function and cognition. And most importantly, embrace a winner’s mindset. I reckon that’s the essence.

I’m curious because it seems that success is somewhat random at first glance. Yet upon closer examination, there’s an underlying pattern.

When I arrived in the Netherlands, I was overwhelmed by the high demands they place on us. Especially the need for four publications to complete a PhD program – quite a challenge if you aim for quality publications. Kis et al. (2022) documented this pressure directly among Dutch PhD candidates, tying heavy demands and a strained research climate to a greater urge to leave academia altogether.

Lately, due to several developments, I’m starting to feel confident and even a step ahead of my colleagues. Publishing seems to come more naturally to me than to them.

Surprisingly, a math publication, which I had doubts about, is now under review with Radboud affiliation – just what I needed. And to my amazement, I’m the first author, even though I thought I should be third. Moreover, a project I had worked on before my doctorate, which I believed was dormant, has been revitalized.

There’s potential for a strong publication in a top-tier journal involving ten people. And I’ve been tasked with writing a couple of paragraphs. 

What Happens When Things Just Click?

This past week has transformed from a disappointment to a promising outcome without much effort on my part. It’s either a miracle or a result of good instincts – hard to pinpoint.

Nevertheless, something tells me that despite my slow programming, weaker memory, and less fluent English compared to Dutch students, I’ll still achieve more quickly. I’m not sure why, but it’s as if things just fall into place effortlessly, like a harmonious melody.

Is Amusement a Part of Learning?

To be honest, maybe my quirks play a role in this. For instance, my friends find it amusing that I enjoy watching light-hearted shows like Tap Madl or talent competitions in substantial amounts. But it serves me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, when I’m working on my laptop and there’s a talent show in the background, the occasional applause boosts my energy. It also positively influences my mood. According to Isen, Daubman and Nowicki (1987), inducing mild positive affect, such as through a brief funny clip, measurably improves performance on tasks requiring creative problem-solving. This beats a neutral emotional state. Secondly, it gives me insight into what makes success tick and what drives victory. Turns out, talent isn’t the key – it’s about determination and having the courage to push boundaries, which some call personality. According to Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews and Kelly (2007), perseverance and sustained passion for long-term goals — a trait they call grit — predicts achievement across a range of demanding settings. This holds independently of raw talent.

Thanks to this, I start my workday a bit later. And if someone gets impatient with my typing pace, I don’t let it get to me. “What do they know about publishing?”

I think to myself and grin. Some folks disregard pop culture, failing to comprehend the values it holds. They’re caught up in bitterness, too drained to embrace novelty over nostalgia – trading the present for shadows and sentiment.