Hon Adviser Mr LEUNG Wai-shun's letter to Old Boys and students – Growth mindset in tragedy and beyond

2020.04.22

Following is a letter to Old Boys and students by the Honorary Adviser of Queen's College Old Boys' Association (QCOBA) and former Assistant Principal, Mr LEUNG Wai-shun, today (April 22).

This is the fourth episode of Letters Asunder, an initiative to mark QCOBA's centenary in 2020 under the theme "Serving QC family, our centenary duty", sharing with the Queen's community words of wisdom and reflections.

Growth mindset in tragedy and beyond

Dear Old Boys and fellow students,

Hope you are all well and healthy.

Maybe we are now in the mist facing the coronavirus pandemic, but we can still draw lessons from this tragedy. French President Emmanuel Macron has predicted: "This period will have taught us a great deal. It has swept away many of our certitudes and convictions, while others will be re-examined. Many things we thought were impossible will happen… The day after when we have won, it will not be a return to the day before, we will be stronger morally."

Heartfelt plea for help to those needy and vulnerable

The situation under this pandemic is the most severe crisis often comparable to the last World War as billions of people in nearly all continents are affected, with over 2.2 million confirmed cases across some 200 countries/areas and the death toll passed 154 000. People in most countries are still under a certain extent of lockdown at this very moment. Some said that the year 2020 would be a watershed in contemporary history as the post-coronavirus era may witness a shift in world order and transitions in social, political and economic norms.

It is time to be thankful and show our deepest appreciation to all medical professionals, especially all frontline workers who have stretched thin during work shifts, at risk to themselves, to mitigate the spread of the virus in the past three months. There are cases they have to face the hardest question of "Who will be saved? Who won't?". They could be forced to make harrowing choices if pushed to the brink. Without their effort and devotion, our community would be much grimmer.

Here is a plea to all Old Boys at this difficult time to reach out, give support and provide safe haven to the needy and vulnerable.

Embracing a growth mindset amid this challenging time

For QC Boys and in particular those who will be sitting for the coming DSE this week, despite all the uncertainties so far, you should view the challenges as opportunities and relish them for self-improvement. When you take on new challenges, you develop as a person, especially if you think of a challenge as an opportunity to reflect about yourselves. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid embarking on a new challenge because of the risk of failure. This results in remaining in our comfort zones where you will not learn and grow.

You should value on the journey instead of the end result. Intelligent people enjoy the learning process and don't mind when it continues beyond an expected time frame. Once you develop a growth mindset, own it. Acknowledge yourself as someone who possesses a growth mentality and be proud to let it guide you throughout your life. Observing the needs of others and offering help also differ one from those with a fixed mindset.

With a growth mentality, you should also reflect and rethink on your values, especially for those who inclined to have singular value system. It is true that this pandemic is a wake-up call for all humankind. The Earth is calling so we must respond and act now.

W S LEUNG

Queen's College Old Boys' Association
April 22, 2020

Reference from facebook page of Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong - Counselling Unit (April 2, 2020)