Famed Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and the path to success through our children's strengths

In this weeks My Wired Style Podcast on itunes we speak about the incredible story of one of the people I really admire, famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
I love his story. When he was in the fifth grade, his nickname in class was Dummy and, he thought he was stupid, so he conducted himself accordingly. By the seventh grade, he thought he was smart, so he acted and achieved like a smart person.

What was the difference…his Mom who had only had a third-grade education. She worked two to three jobs at a time as a domestic because she didn't want to be on welfare and she raised the expectation she had with her children. Dr Carson said she prayed and asked God to give her wisdom. What could she do to give her sons to understand the importance of academic achievement, because we were doing terribly in school. And she came up with the idea of turning off the TV and making them read books. So they had to read two books each from the Detroit public library and submit to her two written book reports each week, which she couldn't read. But, of course, they didn't know that. She would underline them, and make little check marks and say “Let's discuss this report.”

And Dr. Carson said he believes that potential exists in virtually everyone. He was fortunate enough, to have a mother who believed in him when everybody else was calling him dummy.

Carson suggests finding out what your gifts or strengths are is key. "So take the time to do this," he says. "Choose from among those things." For example, one of Carson's self-assessments was that he was always a very careful person. And although he earned through formal study the privilege of practicing medicine as a physician, he also insists that "you don't have to have an advanced degree. All you need is a love and a desire to move forward and a willingness to achieve." His desire to practice medicine began when he was eight years old, beginning with an interest in psychology due to his fascination with the brain and how it works. His interest intensified when he listened to mission stories in church about doctors, who would travel the world addressing medical needs. "I thought it was the most noble profession in the world." His entree into neurosurgery was of course assisted by his gift of eye-hand coordination.

He points to himself as living proof that with education and God's help, anything is possible. And he challenges young people to think big. That is, he says, his philosophy for success in life. A great philosophy indeed!