How to Deal with Dyslexia
Conventional wisdom holds that a disadvantage is something that ought to be avoided- that it is a setback or a difficulty that leaves you worse off than you would be otherwise. But that is not always the case.
In the book, David and Goliath, Gladwell challenges the way that we that we perceive a difficulty. As humans, we naturally assume that a difficulty is something that is ought to be avoided.
The things that we hold as disadvantages can actually lead to other skills that can be used to one’s advantage. Whether we have dyslexia or not, we must react to the problems or difficulties that we encounter.
Dyslexia is not easy to cope with. But by learning other skills that accomplish a task will prove to be one of the most successful advantages that can result from a perceived disadvantage. Take, for example, the lesson that can be learned from Brian Grazer.
Grazer is dyslexic and school was one of the most difficult challenges he endured through. He would plan and strategize before every test. He would get together with a schoolmate before each test- asking about their plan and how they were going to study. In high school he would challenge each grade he received. He would argue his D into a C and his C into a B. Almost every time his grade was changed. Now he is one of the most successful movie producers in Hollywood of the past thirty years.
Brian Grazer was forced into a situation where he had to develop other skills. He acquired important and vital skills that set up his successful future.
- "Would Brian Grazer be where he is today if he wasn't a dyslexic?"~Malcolm Gladwell
The things that we hold as disadvantages can actually lead to other skills that can be used to one’s advantage. Whether we have dyslexia or not, we must react to the problems or difficulties that we encounter.
Dyslexia is not easy to cope with. But by learning other skills that accomplish a task will prove to be one of the most successful advantages that can result from a perceived disadvantage. Take, for example, the lesson that can be learned from Brian Grazer.
Grazer is dyslexic and school was one of the most difficult challenges he endured through. He would plan and strategize before every test. He would get together with a schoolmate before each test- asking about their plan and how they were going to study. In high school he would challenge each grade he received. He would argue his D into a C and his C into a B. Almost every time his grade was changed. Now he is one of the most successful movie producers in Hollywood of the past thirty years.
Brian Grazer was forced into a situation where he had to develop other skills. He acquired important and vital skills that set up his successful future.
- "Would Brian Grazer be where he is today if he wasn't a dyslexic?"~Malcolm Gladwell
If you would like to learn more, consider the examples of David Boies (left), Ingvar Kamprad (middle), and Gary Cohn (right) to examine how they created success, despite the "perceived disadvantage" that afflicted them.
If I weren't a dyslexic, I probably wouldn't have won the games. If I had been a better reader, then that would have come easily, sports would have come easily... and I never would have realized that the way you get ahead in life is hard work. ~Bruce Jenner