Angela Duckworth at Bates: Push those cell phones away

Angela Duckworth delivered a compelling, useful, and relevant message in her Bates College Commencement address on May 25, 2025, urging the audience to pursue “situation modification," which means "using physical distance to create psychological distance" — especially the physical distance of our cell phones from our selves.

Situation modification has science behind it. "Psychologists like me have found that achieving what you want out of life has very little to do with forcing yourself to act in one way or another," Duckworth said. "Successful people...rarely rely on inner fortitude to resist temptations. Instead, they avoid them altogether."

In other words, "successful strivers are exquisitely aware of how the situation shapes their behavior. And they deliberately design their situations in ways that make wise choices easier."

“This is what mindfulness looks like in the digital age,” said Duckwork, who is a psychologist, leading voice in the study of human behavior, and author of the New York Times bestseller Grit. “Not willpower, but the wisdom to shape the situations that shape you.”

👉 Don't forget to hit the "Like" button and subscribe to our channel for the latest videos from Bates College! ➡️ http://bit.ly/2ein9e6

🔗 Learn more about Bates College: http://www.bates.edu/
📚 Interested in applying? Visit: http://www.bates.edu/admission
🎓 Explore our academics: https://www.bates.edu/academics

Be Social with Bates:
📷 Follow us on Instagram:   / batescollege  
🎵 Discover Bates on TikTok:   / batescollege  
📘 Connect with us on Facebook:   / batescollege  
🐦 Join the conversation on X:   / batescollege  
👔 Network with us on LinkedIn:   / bates-college-19917  
🏆 Watch Bates Athletics:    / batessports  

About Bates College
Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, is one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges. It is a welcoming community whose members care deeply about the rigorous, challenging, and rewarding life of ideas and principles, and value their exchange and examination.

Thanks for being part of the Bates College community.