I came across this powerful true story and wanted to share it with you.
George Danzig was a grad student in mathematics during a time when jobs were very difficult to get in the United States.
His math professor, who headed the mathematics department, announced that whoever got the best grade on the final would have the opportunity to be hired as his research assistant for the next year—a highly coveted position.
George studied so hard for that test that he stayed up until the middle of the night and overslept, arriving late to the exam. He quickly settled in, tackled the eight math questions on the test, and then noticed two additional problems on the blackboard. He copied them down and began to work on them, but struggled to find solutions.
He thought, “Someone in this room will solve these problems. What’s wrong with me?”
He continued working, but the problems remained unsolved. As the time ran out, some students asked for additional time, and the professor allowed them to take the test home and return it by Friday. George took advantage of the extra time and worked tirelessly.
By Thursday morning, he had solved one problem, and by late Thursday night, he solved the second one.
He submitted the test just before the deadline on Friday. That Sunday morning, his professor knocked on his door, exclaiming, “George, you’ve made mathematical history!”
George’s professor explained that the eight questions constituted the actual test. The two problems on the board were unsolved math problems that even Einstein couldn’t solve.
The professor asked, “How did you do this, George?”
George replied that if he had known those problems were deemed unsolvable, he would have approached them differently and might not have accessed the solutions within himself.
This access to potential is within each of us, but it often gets overshadowed by self-doubt and external validation.
This story highlights an essential point: the importance of emotional literacy in overcoming challenges and unlocking our inner potential.
George’s ability to solve the “impossible” problems came from his belief in his abilities and his determination, unclouded by preconceived notions of impossibility.
This is a perfect example of how emotional literacy—the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions—can play a critical role in our achievements.
When we are emotionally literate, we can manage self-doubt and remain resilient in the face of challenges.
Emotional literacy empowers us to stay open to possibilities, trust in our abilities, and believe in the power of our dreams. It helps us to navigate life’s challenges and tap into our true potential.
Your teachers and students have the capacity for greatness within themselves. Give them tools to embrace emotional literacy to overcome self-doubt and external pressures.
Stay open to possibilities, trust in your abilities, and believe in the power of your dreams. Emotional literacy can help us navigate life’s challenges and tap into our true potential.
Believing in You!