Model and Empower

Rather than only displaying a growth mindset poster or quotation, teachers can empower their students to have a growth mindset by explicitly teaching specific feedback, questions, and self-talk.

Teachers can model and empower a growth mindset. Dr. Erik Youngman came up with very interesting ideas. 

FEEDBACK

• You are not successful YET, but you and I both know you will do it.
• I appreciate your effort.
• Great job taking a calculated risk.
• Your improvement and progress is amazing!
• Great curiosity, creativity, empathy, or resourcefullness!
• This will be challenging to learn, but I know you can do it.
• Reflect about the feedback to plan your next steps. 
• Awesome job embracing change, challenges, and uncertainty.

QUESTIONS

• What strategy will you try net?
• What questions should be asked or considered in this situation?
• What will you do to challenge yourself or improve?
• What growth goals can you set and monitor?
• What advice can you share to help or inspire others?
• What should you do when you make a mistake?
• What can you learn from others?
• How could you enhance efficiency, flexibility, performance, or growth?

SELF-TALK

• Mistakes are feedback that help me learn.
• I persevere as a problem solver when I am frustrated or challenged. 
• Confusion and productive struggle are part of the learning process.
• I need to courageously move out of my comfort zone. 
• I want to challenge myself and grow.
• My effort, actions, and attitude impact my success.
• I will make progress and succeed if I focus and work hard.
• I am going to make this even better.

Albert Einstein said, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. We all progress through life at different speeds. Students should not feel the pressure to progress faster in school by comparing themselves to others. 

Natural talent only determines the limits of your potential. It is dedication and disciplining your life that makes you great! Remember, a genius is not born but is educated and trained. Don't settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. 

Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can't, you are right." Replacing "why is this happening to me" with "what is this trying to teach me" is a game changer!

Great students don't run away from challenging environments. They embrace them and use them to grow as a person. Too often students try to escape difficult or uncomfortable environments. Don't! Embrace competition! Curiously explore your courage zone, acquire new skills, embrace challenges, set new goals and passionately find purpose as you learn continuously with a growth mindset.

A Attitude and effort determine how much I learn

B I can be Brave and step out of my comfort zone

C Challenges help me grow

D I'll try a Different strategy

E Effort makes me stronger

F I can welcome Feedback

G Getting better takes time

I I can choose a growth mindset

J learning is a Journey

K I can Keep an open mind

L Learning is my goal...not perfection

M Mistakes help me improve

N New things are opportunities for me to learn

O it's Ok to not know something

P Plan B might work

Q when I ask Questions I learn

R it's okay to take Risks

S Success of others inspires me

T I can choose to Try again

U Unsuccessful attempts are all part of the process

V Valuable information can be found in every failure

W What can I learn from this?

X Xyz didn't work I'll try ABC

Y I don't know how to do this Yet!

Z any ideas can lead to amaZing things

Galileo said, "We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves."

Don't let your challenges overwhelm you. Think of them as stepping stones toward your goals! 

Samuel Beckett said, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."