Stop comparing my career to J.K. Rowling’s
Ever since I returned to teaching in September, I have thought a lot about motivation, and the way we set kids (and ourselves) up for failure. Take for instance most people’s reaction when I admit I am a writer:
“Oh, you wrote a book? Are you going to be as famous as J.K. Rowling?”
Or: “You want to get your book published? Cheer up. Remember J.K. Rowling was rejected a dozen times and now she has her own theme park!”
Even my kids have gotten in on the action. “Mom, when you sell your book, are you going to make as much money as J.K. Rowling? And can we buy Hogwarts?”
Dear Ms. Rowling: I am a huge fan. I have read every book you have ever published. I own multiple copies of the Harry Potter series and I loved The Casual Vacancy as well as the Robert Galbraith mysteries. But ever since I finally got up the nerve to start telling people that I sort of, kind of, like to write and that I, um, have written a book or three, your well-deserved success is constantly thrown in my face.
To all the non-writers out there: Please stop comparing every wannabe writer to J.K. Rowling. Please stop asking them whether they will be as successful as the famous British writer.
No one will be as successful as J.K. Rowling. She is extremely talented, popularized an entire genre and invented Butter Beer, which is the greatest drink ever. Also, I do not write fantasy novels. Also, I am a proud Canadian, not a Brit.
Also, I do not write children’s books that have been made into movies that my Potter-head son Ibrahim watches on repeat.
This is akin to asking everyone who expresses a mild interest in computer science: “So, are you going to be like Bill Gates?”
Or asking every teenager who enjoys peering into their cellphone: “Do you plan on being the next Steve Jobs?” Such questions cause all interest and motivation to flee.
Motivation is tricky. Extrinsic motivation is the outside-in approach provided by parents through rewards systems, or employers through bonus pay.
It works, to a certain extent, but studies show that intrinsic motivation — the inner drive to keep going after the 10th rewrite of a novel, for instance — is far superior and effective in many cases. It’s also hard to understand, or apply.
How do you get a reluctant student to see the benefits of school when they fall asleep in history class? How do you get your Grade 5 son to practise math when he would rather be playing outside?
Intrinsic motivation sometimes feels like an elusive goal for educators and parents alike.
There’s a popular theory in education: fixed versus growth mindset. When praise is process-related it encourages a growth mindset and causes students to persevere in learning tasks, even those they find challenging. In contrast, when praise is related to personal achievement, it can lead to a fixed mindset. “You worked really hard,” is more effective praise than, “You’re very smart.”
Being compared to giants such as J.K. Rowling, Bill Gates or Steve Jobs is not helpful for those coming up the ranks. In fact, it’s usually discouraging.
I don’t write because I want to be like J.K. Rowling. I will only ever be myself, and I’m still figuring out who that person is.
Writing is how I make sense of my world. I know that any skill or success I have is the result of decades of practice and failure. My motivation is intrinsic — which explains why it has lasted this long.
Let’s help our kids find their own intrinsic motivation for success.
Now if you’ll excuse me, Ibrahim has The Chamber of Secrets queued up for our 200th viewing, magic wand in hand, popcorn at his elbow. Lumos! Uzma Jalaluddin is a high school teacher in the York Region. She writes about parenting and other life adventures. Reach her at ujalaluddin@outlook.com