Published: 01/31/2020
Lo Myrick '11 Proves the Importance of Mindset Over Major
"If you take one thing away from today, I hope you can go out and have as many experiences as possible."
Lo Myrick '11 enlightened a full house in Yehl 219 this week with a lively discussion on "Why Your Mindset Matters More Than Your Major." Myrick graduated from Gannon University in 2011 and now uses her experiences from clubs, courses, and travel here at GU; a career at a Fortune 500 company (GE); multiple startups and time spent as a trained life coach to share and consult business and individuals on achieving their goals.
During her impactful afternoon with Gannon students, faculty and staff, Myrick worked through steps of reframing failure into learning experiences, problem-solving and seeing obstacles as opportunities, finding your own personal superpower, networking (the right way), and purposeful gratitude.
"Everyone starts as a beginner," Myrick shared. "It's so important to go out and have as many experiences as possible. One quote that's always really stuck with me has been 'when a child learns to walk and falls down 50 times, he never thinks to himself maybe this isn't for me.'"
Myrick left the group with an important call to action: decide what was most impactful to hear and make a plan toward what you're going to change in your life. "If you're not making changes in your behavior, attitude and mindset - nothing will change." She encouraged students to try something new in the next two weeks, alter the "I have to's" into "I get to's," find a reminder that triggers our personal superpowers, shadow someone this semester in a professional setting, and finally, write down one thing to be grateful for each day for the next 30 days. She also worked with students in a small group setting after the presentation in a workshop in partnership with the Office of Career Development and Exploration.
"One of my favorite quotes is, 'There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living,' by the great Nelson Mandela. Don't settle," Myrick said.
Myrick's presentation kicked off the Spring Season of Arts and Culture, which is brought to us through the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences' #MakeChange: Stand Up. Speak Out. speaker series inspired by the 100th anniversary of U.S. women's rights to vote.