The Ultimate Guide to Develop Five Minds

The future may be tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, or in the coming generations. It is also unexpected because we don’t know what will happen and the best thing that we can do is prepare for what lies ahead. Professor Howard Gardner’s Five Minds are helpful factors for today’s young people in preparing for their future as well as the rest of the world. My previous blog entry was kind of a bit serious so this time, I’d like to have a lighter approach since the reading we’re assigned to was deep and very insightful. I made this entry like a teen magazine article. So, how can the five minds be developed? Here are some tips on how to develop every kind of mind. Read on and find out.

Discipline means that there is something or someone in control as well as in authority. To develop a disciplined mind, here’s what you can do: 1) Don’t stick to the facts. Facts are boring! They are dull, and well, no connection to discipline. 2) Set your own rules. At home, parents set rules for children to obey while in school, there is a curriculum that has to be complied with, rules to abide, as well as lessons to be learned and memorize. Everything is set and all you have to do is follow. What if you set your own rules for a change? In that way, you can practice self-control and know your limits. 3) Have an inspiration. To keep your system alive and kicking, how about having an inspiration? Be it a person you look up to like your mom or your favorite author, he/she will keep you motivated to do well in everything. 4) Practice makes perfect. The age old saying still works every time. Part of discipline is actually doing. If you have determination to do great, then you will be.

Synthesizing is like cutting information to bits but the essence is still there making it more understandable. To develop a synthesized mind, there’s only one thing that you have to keep in mind. And that is, to KISS. Keep It Short and Simple! Always remember, less is more. Too much information can be annoying. Recall your high school days and the plentiful terms and definitions that you have to memorize. Information overload, right? Make sure that when you link all the information, the essence is still there and most importantly, they go well together.

Creativity doesn’t measure how good you are in the arts or in just one aspect. Creativity can be applied anywhere. Here are two ways on how you can develop a creative mind: 1) Imagine. Having a wide imagination is a plus in being creative. Imagination can take you anywhere even in places you haven’t been to. It generates vivid pictures of different kinds of things that will play in our minds like a movie. So be imaginative and who knows? Maybe the next big thing in world history might be your creation. 2) Dare to be different. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Your idea is your own and no one can take that away from you. Being different is a good thing because it will make you stand out from the crowd.

Our world is a diverse set of people, beliefs, and values. It would be so tedious if every person is alike. Everybody is different from each other and that makes the world interesting. Since everyone is different, we should have respect for each other. How can you have a respectful mind? There’s only one thing to consider and that is: to understand. Appreciate each other’s differences to have a harmonious relationship.

The last mind in Howard Gardner’s Five Minds for the Future is the ethical mind. What does it mean to be ethical? As I understood it, being ethical is not just by recognizing your responsibilities but also your part in doing those responsibilities. To have an ethical mind, you should live within the principles on how to carry out the roles of your responsibilities. Rewards shouldn’t be the center of your attention. Instead, divert into what you want to be and work on that to have a significant life for your future.

After reading Howard Gardner’s article, I agree with what he said that “we do not need more of the best and the brightest, but we need more of those who have good character.” No matter how good a person was in school, (always at the top of class and graduated with honors), sometimes, he/she ends up having no job. Employers nowadays look for people who have good character and attitude because it’s important for them that their employees can work well with others and can handle the pressure in the workplace. Of course, good credentials are important but what matters most is the person’s approach in doing his/her responsibilities.

So there you have it, some concrete ways to develop the five minds that will be your “helpful tools” in the years or even decades to come. Remember, the future lies in your hands. It’s up to you on how you make the most of it.

Creativity: Making Things Extraordinary

When I hear the word creativity, the next thing that comes to my mind is uniqueness. Creativity as I may describe it is the ability to think out of the box and making things out of the ordinary. Having distinctive ideas is what sets a person apart from the rest as well as his exceptional creations which are truly genuine and unique. Just like in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence, human beings are said to be unique in every way. They may not be good in everything but they are good at something. And that is what makes them stand out. I believe that creativity comes from within because people all have special abilities. They just do not know how to nourish them and use them properly. A perfect example is the creativity of the Filipino people. Creativity is innate in the Filipino culture. Filipinos are fond of inventing out of this world things that no one can ever think is possible. Just like the invention of the hydrogen powered car. It was such an amazing idea and with that, I can say that Filipinos are really good in making the impossible, possible.

Because of the rapid globalization happening in all parts of the world, there is a tendency that countries become alike in terms of fast food chains, clothing lines, and lifestyle. In the taste of music and the arts, everything is multi-cultural and countries have the tendency to lose their identity. A concrete example is the Philippine entertainment industry. I think the country’s entertainment scene has become Americanized. In variety shows, the artists sing and dance to the tunes of international music artists more than our local artists. One of my balikbayan relatives commented on a musical variety show and said, “How come Filipinos sing international songs more than their own music?” It is heartbreaking because I believe that Filipinos are very good performers and are great creators of music. Filipinos should be proud to perform their original compositions because it is something they can call their own.

After reading Sir Ken Robinson’s “The Arts and Education: Changing Track,” I also realized that the arts are not given importance in education and in the economy. In my opinion, the arts is just as significant as mathematics, languages, and the sciences because it will pulsate life to the learning of students as it makes learning twice as fun. Students also need a breather from the serious topics that math, language, and science have. The arts will make them recognize that there is a world outside of math, language, and science and it can also be something they can look forward to every time they go to school. It will help them hone their talents and abilities, learn how to express themselves, and teach them how to be creative and innovative in their own ways. Same goes for the economy. The economy just focuses on the technical aspect of economic growth and the arts is again inconsiderable.

The arts is a huge element of a nation’s culture because it brings in flavor and makes culture interesting. If the arts is not part of culture, the economy will not be progressive. It would be very serious if an economy will only have scientists, technologists, and mathematicians. Where then is the color and spice of the economy? If the cultural diversity of the nation is rich, it will be globally competitive. People in the arts breathe life into the nation and makes it a more fascinating place to live in. And yes, more tourists will be attracted to visit the country. The result: a progressive economy.

Being a contributing writer for a teen magazine like Candy really does encourage creativity. Of course, how can readers all over the country appreciate its content if the articles, features, and layout are not worth appreciating and worth every penny? We really make use of our creativity to make the readers happy, entertained, satisfied, and most of all, learn from every issue. As for my home, it also does encourage creativity! I have always loved writing. Ever since I was little, I’d write short stories or poems and my parents would compile all my works so I am very thankful to my parents who supported me all the way!

Creativity can bring about a big change in the world. It is just a matter of waking up our creative juices from the trance that they were in and make use of them. Having a wide imagination is a big help in being creative. Visualizing what you want to create can motivate you to make it happen. It is never too late to make a difference. So dream…with your eyes open.

Me, Myself, and I

I’m Jesselou H. Villegas. A.K.A. Jesselle or Jess. Twenty years old and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Communication Major in Media Production at Assumption College Makati last March 26, 2010. I love writing, photography, television, and music and those are the reasons why I took up Media Production. Back in college, I was very active in the school newspaper where I was a news writer and eventually became a features editor. It was a really great experience because I got to share my passion for writing as well as my thoughts and ideas in the articles I wrote and in my column. I was also into theater and was constantly an ensemble or a supporting character. But what I liked about theater the most is being backstage. It’s actually more fun than being onstage because it is where all the action is! You know all the cues and the flow of the whole production. In one of my organization’s productions, I was head of the props committee and an assistant stage manager. I really enjoyed being a Media Production student. I got a taste of what it was like in the print, radio, and television industries. During class productions, I was always the scriptwriter, musical director, or the casting director. I also experienced being a floor director during our studio shoots and a segment producer for our school television channel.

I am currently a member of the Candy Council of Cool, a group of young writers for Candy Magazine. I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity. In fact, it was the sweetest thing that happened to me. Ever since I was in grade school, I have always wanted to write for the magazine and when I became a COC member, I have fulfilled my wish. Being in the Council of Cool is a lot of fun! I get to meet new people, work with an amazing team, and of course, write for the magazine that I grew up with.

So that wraps it up! I hope to know you all better and I’m looking forward to having a great and enriching semester with you. :)

Feel free to visit my Candy Council of Cool blog! Here's the link: http://www.candymag.com/coc/author/jesselle/