10 to 25 Quotes

“When each successive generation grows up, we look down on the next generation, as though we have forgotten what it feels like to be young. Then we call the next generation immature. When most adults think about their own youthful indiscretions, they do so with a wink and a laugh. But when they think about today’s generation doing something similar, they ring the alarm bell about the decline in morality in “kids these days.”
― David Yeager, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier

“Box 7.6. Responding to a College Applicant’s Question with a Synergistic Mindset Applicant: Am I enough for college? Sergio/Dweck/Bryan/Gross/Yeager: I’m really glad you brought this question to me. It’s a profound question, and I think it’s really important that we think about it in the right way. This is a question that many students probably ask themselves at this stage, but not everyone is brave enough to ask someone else [validate]. I think the main reason so many people worry about this is because people in society talk too much about who got into which colleges as if getting into college is a test of how good or smart you are. College isn’t about judging or measuring how good or smart you are. It’s about giving you opportunities to grow and develop your knowledge and your mind [reframe: growth mindset]. Don’t get me wrong. Those feelings of worry are very real, and they can be overwhelming at times. But from my perspective the fact that you’re worrying about this says something very important: it shows you care a lot about this and you want to do well at it—and that’s a key ingredient for success. I wonder if you could even try to think of your worries as a reminder that you care, and then use that caring to focus on becoming as prepared as you can for the exciting opportunities to learn and grow in college [reframe: stress can be enhancing]. Can I ask you to share a bit more of your own thinking with me? What are the main things you think about when you start to doubt that you’re enough for college [seek to understand]? Let’s see if we can help you focus on things that make you feel more confident [collaborate].”
― David Yeager, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier

“The belief that young people are incompetent leaves us with only one binary choice: Do we want to be tough or nice? Either we’re a drill sergeant or a softy. We prioritize either self-reliance or self-esteem. Full Metal Jacket or Ted Lasso (in the first season, at least).”
― David Yeager, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier

“Less than a third of the young people on testosterone complied with the disrespectful instructions (32 percent). But when asked respectfully, the young people on testosterone proved the most willing to comply of any group (68 percent)—an increase of more than two times.”
― David Yeager, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier