4-11 Finale- Discovering Your Hidden Potential

I was inspired to create this movie because I’ve had a second chance at life. Long after I was supposed to be set in my career and set in my ways, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to transform myself from a person whose only apparent talent was in language and the humanities. I began a new career trajectory that eventually led to my becoming a professor of engineering.

This book’s subtitle is Break Through the Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential. This covers enormous scope, but especially when we delved into the science, a common thread became clear. People could often do more, change more, and learn more often, often far more than they ever dreamed possible. Our potential is hidden in plain sight, all around us.

There are two overlapping aspects of learning and we’ve explored both in this MOOC. The first is to realize that mindshift, deep changes in life that occur through learning, is something that can be done at any age with any goal in mind. Well-made MOOCs and other dynamic learning experiences show us how powerful, fun, and even addictive learning can be. And importantly, life long learning also keeps our minds fresh as we age. The second aspect of mind shift relates to career. Career selection, career enhancement, and career switching. We’ve explored each of these areas and discovered a common theme. That background and training from the past that might at first seem entirely useless often proves valuable in your new job or field. These days, working behind the scenes in the MOOC making world, I’m newly inspired by all the changes that learners are making. Over and over, I see that people have the desire and ability to learn and change at every age and stage. Not only from the humanities to engineering as I did, but in virtually any direction. That’s why we’ve also stressed that a really meaningful mindshift often isn’t just about following your passions, but about broadening your passions. Reenvisioning yourself and the directions you can take, both in your private life and in your career, and then taking the steps as a learner to make this revisioning a reality. Since you’ve taken this MOOC, you undoubtedly have a thirst for knowledge. So I’m hoping that what you’ve learned here has widened the scope of what you thought you could do, and will help you broaden your passion for discovery. Learning can be an overwhelming pursuit. But it also provides a way for us to meet some of our deepest needs to live as full, vibrant human beings. It’s been wonderful working with you as you’ve explored how to make your own mindshift. And I wish you all the best as you put this into action. But, of course, many people rebel against learning or resign themselves to staying where they are in life. What about people like these, you might ask? How can they make a mindshift of the sort we’ve been talking about? If we can leave you with one last message in this MOOC, it is this. Sometimes it takes just that one special person, a mentor, to unlock or reframe and reveal the unseen potential.

And so, we hope this MOOC also inspires you to turn to others. To seek out mentors and also to be a mentor yourself for those who may have lost the passion for discovery.

May your own discoveries open the minds of those you touch, so they too, can discover the joy and beauty of learning.