Basically, the book says the following:
- GPA, standardized tests, and even IQ (measure of "intelligence") are poor indicators of students' future success at college / university... or at life in general (pretty surprising, don't you think?)
- much more important are character traits such as conscientiousness, grit, resilience, perseverance, and optimism (no wonder I'm always badgering you with talks about determination and hard work)
- these character traits are not innate skills (you aren't born with them). In fact, they are developed through life and - more importantly to me - can be taught to people of all ages
- Therefore, anyone can be successful (good career, happy family, intact home), no matter what their situation is (poverty, single-parent, health problems, etc) at a young age.
- Also: it's important that young people have opportunities to make mistakes / experience failure, to reflect on their mistakes, and to learn from them (so challenge yourself and expect failure to occur from time to time. Welcome it! Failure is inevitable and necessary. It's what you do after you fail that is the critical piece)