- The first stonecutter made smoothies in order to gain revenue and make a profit.
- The second stonecutter wanted to be the best, most successful food option on our campus.
- The third stonecutter didn't make smoothies. She created a place at our school where people could come together, share a few laughs, and eat healthier. She also wanted to inspire other student entrepreneurs.
When we launched our smoothie business this Thursday all I wanted was our customers to enjoy it and be excited as much as I had been the entire week. I know that companies know they are successful once they make a lot of money but after reading books like Mindset and currently The Lean Startup, I realized that success is more than that. A week ago we defined our mission statement, and it's our goal to keep fulfilling it throughout the history of Blendz if not, the business doesn't really make sense. When I was making the smoothies I saw people excited and happy with the product they received and that is what I want to see everyday this business is open; it is what motivate me to keep doing the smoothies and make them the best possible.
- The first stonecutter played just to win, and tried to win at any cost. To get spirit points, there was no limit to the standing ovations they would give.
- The second stonecutter wanted to be better than everyone else at his individual sport. Even if the grade didn't win, the second stonecutter found solace in knowing that he was the best at his activity.
- The third stonecutter saw competition differently. For him, it was a way to challenge himself to get better. He saw it as an opportunity to motivate others around him to grow as well. And, even if he didn't win, the third stonecutter looked at his competitors in the eye and shook their hands, knowing that they had made each other better.
ICC is known as the most intense competition there is in our school. Yes, especially being Seniors, most people only look forward to win, sadly. This Monday we were quite disappointed to have lost our cheer and mural, but as other people were extremely mad about it and couldn't move forward on it, I did because there wasn't anything we could do and we still had more opportunities to win the entire competition.
This has been the first time I've had time to reflect on ICC and unfortunately, that moment has been the only moment I kept a growth-mindset. Everything changed once it was my time to compete for Swimming--all I wanted to do is win and I totally messed it up. I didn't want to let my friends down and put in jeopardy our trophy. However, now I realize that it's really easy to get caught up in the mindset that everyone else has and lose the mindset I had grown into. I know I wasn't mean to people from other grades that beat me and I know that I didn't cheer just for spirit points, but still, the mindset I had was entirely to WIN.
- The first stonecutter attempts to learn new skills and content simply for the grade.
- The second stonecutter learns in order to be the smartest in the class, to get into the best universities, and to find a job that guarantees a life of affluence.
- The third stonecutter, however, just loves to learn. She loves to explore, to create and she embraces a variety of new experiences. She knows that learning helps her discover who she is and how she might one day make her community better through the work she does.
As a learner, I have grown massively in one year. I have said before, but I have learned to love what I do in school, try to challenge myself and take advantage of all the great opportunities the school provides to me. I enjoy understanding what I learn in the IA because when I don't, I just hate the class and I'm definitely not happy when that occurs.
Learning new things this past year like economics, finance and even just writing better has not only helped me academically, but I've found a way to apply it in my personal life. I am more involved in family dinners when speaking about economics than I've even been and I love it. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's hard to find a bright light to some topics we learn at school that may not be of my taste, but I even dislike being in the class and not understanding anything.
I have finally found a way to have a passion for learning and that's why I believe I can relate to the third stonecutter.