# What calculus teaches us about success | Micaela Concepcion | TEDxRizal Avenue Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnW-PsmNJhM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cnW-PsmNJhM Generated: 2026-02-05T17:38:13.715+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Micaela Concepcion shares her personal journey of overcoming the pressure to be perfect in mathematics, concluding that true growth and success come from embracing the process, allowing for failure, and recognizing that failure is not the opposite of success but rather a necessary part of it. **Key Points:** - Micaela Concepcion began her challenging relationship with mathematics in grade one when she was chosen to represent her school in a math contest. - She spent years practicing calculus and reviewing lessons, even on weekends, feeling immense pressure to always win or perform perfectly. - The speaker realized that success is not a one-time event but a continuous struggle, and that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a part of the process. - She quotes Henri Poincare: "Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things," highlighting the beauty of abstraction in math. - The speaker learned that the downward slope of a graph does not automatically signify failure; it is just a change in the function's rate. - She emphasizes that allowing oneself to fail and not always striving to be winning is crucial for growth, as depicted by the final realization that failure is not the opposite of success. - The talk encourages the audience to view setbacks, like a dip in performance, as temporary moments that do not define their entire journey. ![Screenshot at 09:27: The speaker standing on stage with a projected quote from Henri Poincare: "Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things," setting the stage for her discussion on reframing mathematical success and failure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-09-27.jpg) **Context:** Micaela Concepcion delivers a TEDx talk at TEDxRizalAvenue about her personal struggle with the intense pressure surrounding success in mathematics. Beginning in elementary school, she internalized the idea that constant high achievement was necessary, leading to a complicated relationship with the subject where any perceived failure felt devastating. The talk centers on reframing how she views progress, failure, and the inherent nature of mathematical concepts. ## Detailed Analysis Micaela Concepcion recounts her experience starting with intense pressure in mathematics in grade one when selected for a competition, leading her to spend years dedicated to practice, including weekends, specifically focusing on calculus worksheets and formulas. This dedication stemmed from a belief that she needed to constantly succeed and always be winning, which created an unhealthy relationship with the subject. She shares a quote by Henri Poincare about mathematics being the art of giving the same name to different things, illustrating the abstract nature of the field. Her turning point came when she realized that the downward slope on a graph does not equate to failure, but simply indicates the rate of change. She argues that society often equates failure with defeat, causing people to fear mistakes and avoid taking risks, like choosing not to join competitions where failure was possible. The core message is that success is a continuous process, not a single event; failure is an inevitable, non-fatal dip in the curve, not the end of the journey. She concludes by encouraging everyone to embrace the struggle and allow themselves to be students again, recognizing that growth comes from accepting temporary setbacks rather than avoiding them out of fear. ### Personal Struggle with Math - Selected for a math contest in grade one - spent years practicing calculus and formulas, even on weekends - felt immense pressure to always be winning. ### Reframing Success and Failure - Success is a continuous process, not a one-time event - failure is not the opposite of success, but part of the process - avoiding challenges due to fear of failure limits growth. ### Mathematical Analogy - Quoted Henri Poincare: "Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things" - explained that a downward slope on a graph is a rate of change, not necessarily defeat. ### Call to Action - Encourage embracing failure and allowing oneself to be a student again - value the process over the final score. ![Screenshot at 00:04: Visual representation of diverse activities \(astronomy, reading, farming, dancing, science\) flowing from a central meditating figure, symbolizing holistic growth.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:07: The speaker, Micaela Concepcion, standing on the red circle on stage in front of the TEDx Rizal Avenue backdrop.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-00-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:27: Speaker gesturing while explaining that the calculus derivative only tells you the rate of change, not where you are.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-01-27.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:39: Speaker standing confidently on stage, gesturing widely while reflecting on the quote by Colonel Sanders.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-04-39.jpg) ![Screenshot at 09:27: On-screen text displaying the quote: "Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things." - Henri Poincare.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cnW-PsmNJhM/00-09-27.jpg)