Futures Forge Blog
Founders and facilitators share their insights about personal development and growth, college and careers, and some inside looks into the science behind Futures Forge. Subscribe to receive updates in our newsletter digest.
Turning Frustrating Team Class Projects Into Leadership Growth
Many high-performing students we speak to ask us, “How do I become a great leader?” They want to learn how to motivate others, communicate better, and use the strengths of their peers to help the group. These students have likely experienced good leadership before, and hope to emulate it, or perhaps have read about the impact of a great leader.
Feedback is your secret weapon for rapid self-development: Part 2, How to Get Lots of Feedback
From part 1, you know that feedback is critical to becoming your best self, and that most of us have an aversion to receiving constructive feedback, likely taught to us in childhood.
The first step to overcoming this aversion is to just pay attention to yourself. Sense your aversion to asking for feedback, or a certain amount of defensiveness in yourself when either getting it or thinking about asking for it. Once you notice this, remember it was trained into you by school and members of higher authority. Identify ways that feedback has helped you improve, and what power the data from feedback represents for you.
Feedback is your secret weapon for rapid self-development: Part 1, Why We Need It But Avoid It
Many ambitious students ask their mentors, coaches, or role models for advice, hoping to uncover the secrets to success. These students are typically high achievers, excelling in school and striving to get ahead of their peers. Their mentors may give actionable tips–like “setting clear goals” or “creating a study schedule”.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Tackling Big, Vague Goals
Imagine, you are given an objective by your boss, the scope is wide, and the expertise level is low but it’s on you to get an outcome. This is common in the start-up world, you face new challenges each day, big goals are set, and you need to ultimately get a net positive outcome (get closer to the goal).
How do you start?
Students Are Missing a Key Element in Maximizing Their Growth - And It’s Easy to Do
Students face challenges, solve problems, and navigate complex interactions every day. Yet most move through these experiences without pause–completing tasks, resolving issues, or having tough conversations, only to move on without much thought. Top performers take a different approach. They intentionally set aside time to reflect, analyze their actions, and learn from their experiences–this is their secret weapon to getting 10x more learning and growth out of everything they do.
Being Late Is a Great Lesson in Developing Responsibility
Most teachers we know complain that students are constantly late. One thing we’re finding is that teachers are inadvertently encouraging this behavior. When students are late, we typically see one of three responses:
Shame: “You're late. Take your seat, and we'll talk after class.”
Letting it slide: “Glad you could join us. Let’s get started.” (Or many simply don’t acknowledge it)
Preventing it: Calling everyone in from the hallway with one minute left.
How To Choose Extracurriculars That Will Actually Make a Difference
Students in the U.S. have a plethora of options when it comes to picking up extracurriculars: there’s debate classes, coding clubs, mentorship programs, and endless other options. Ambitious students seek extracurriculars they think will make a difference in their college application and success, whether through the experience, “prestige,” or networking opportunities.
How Futures Forge Uses Feedback To Improve
At Futures Forge we are big believers in learning what other people think is working, and what is not! We put this into action this past summer.
Developing Adaptability Is Your Key To Win In Today's World As An Young Entrepreneur, Here’s Why
Adaptability is the most important skill you can develop as an entrepreneur. It’s a skill that venture capitalists directly look for when making investments. They ask “what if” questions to determine how you think, and how adaptable you are in situations where your business might fail.
Knowledge Is Commoditized... So What Education Should You Seek?
All of the knowledge you need to do just about anything is in your pocket, usually for free. A quick google search or youtube tutorial can teach you almost anything, from PHD level science to cooking a new dish. Online courses and certification programs are becoming increasingly viable ways to develop career skills and qualify for tech roles. With the rise of AI this access to knowledge has become even more streamlined.
How To Graduate College In 3 years And Make It Look Easy
Do you know anyone who has graduated college in 3 years? Most likely you don’t, but you probably know folks who have graduated in 6. The difference is not merely intelligence or industriousness, but also approach. Most people don’t even contemplate graduating college in 3 years because they believe it will be difficult. If properly approached, it can be quite easy–and can give you a dramatic advantage in your career.
How Should You Learn a Foreign Language?
I studied Chinese for eight years in high school and college. Eight long years of coursework, memorization, drills, and exams. Guess how much Chinese I learned? About as much as I learned German in five months, spending just 30 minutes a day.
Should You (Want to) Attend MIT?
Yes, if you’re MIT-smart. Certainly, the MIT brand does a lot for you, and it is a tragedy that one has to slog through 4 years of university to prove one is smart, when the university admissions officers can already decide whether you’re smart before you show up. But in our current reality, graduating from a top university confers the brand, and it will help you.
Why Are Some Universities More Prestigious?
When people find out I’m from MIT, they immediately respect me more. And they should; they have verification that I am smart and that I work hard. This is worth respecting, certainly. But did I learn anything while I was there? You don’t know whether I did. At all. And very rarely has anyone ever asked me whether I did.
You Must Develop These Skills To Stand Out To College Admissions
You’re smart, and others are smart, too: unfortunately, the Ivy League doesn’t have enough seats for everyone who’s smart enough. To differentiate yourself, you need to take action now and demonstrate proficiency in a set of skills that will strengthen your application - and set you up for success long after.
A Guide For Young Entrepreneurs In Selecting The Best Pre-College Program for Them
Finding a program that not only builds essential skills but also goes beyond the standard high school or college curriculum is necessary in a world that often underestimates what is needed to make a great entrepreneur.
Students Are Asking For The Wrong Advice From The Wrong People On Their College Applications
Enough Futures Forge students have asked me for advice on their college application that I have decided to start writing down my answers. I expect students have asked me because I got into MIT without a 1600 or straight A’s, so I understand the desire to find some way to repeat what I did. However, I think many alums are asking me the wrong questions...
Developing Grit Is One of the Most Important Things a Young Adult Can Do for Their Future
Grit is the single most important thing you can develop to drive your long term performance and personal development. It’s as important as intelligence in determining college and career performance; unlike intelligence, you can improve it through your entire life. Simply, if you lack grit, you will crack. Setbacks will get you down, and constructive feedback will make you whither.