We believe in the power of storytelling and encourage you to share your story with students and colleagues. 

Framing Failure

In complicating the linearity students often see in the narrative of your success, you can enable them with the confidence to take risks in the engagement of new ideas. Showing students the more failure-marked path you have taken can clarify some of the cognitive dissonance in the countervailing narratives of academic excellence and personal wellbeing.

The Lightbulb Moment Initiative

We invite you to reflect on your experiences and share the unexpected insights that have illuminated your path with the Lightbulb Moment story template, which recenters narratives of success on the moment of insight—foregrounding the unknown and highlighting when doubt becomes action.

Lightbulb Moment Template

Beginning

  • Who were you before the light came on?
  • How did you feel about your future?
  • What questions and/or doubts did you have?

Middle

  • What happened that answered some of your questions and/or addressed your doubts? 
  • Who helped flip the switch? 
  • How did you meet them?

End

  • What did you learn? 
  • How did you and/or your path change? 
  • Has your course changed since?

Reflection

  • What made you feel you belong where you are—or not?
  • What systems enabled your success—powered the light?

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