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The right mindset makes us smarter.
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The ‘Fixed’ versus the ‘Growth’ mindset.
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We owe it to our youth to create environments that foster that growth.
With the right mindset, we can get smarter. Research has shown that we can grow our brain’s capacity to learn and solve problems. How is this possible?
FIXED MINDSET:
If you have the “fixed mindset” and you fail to solve problems, you think you have failed. You feel that you are not smart enough to succeed.
GROWTH MINDSET:
If you have the mindset called the “growth mindset” you consider that you have just not solved a problem yet. You feel you are on a growth curve.
EXAMPLES:
In the one instance you think you are not smart enough to solve the problem. In the other instance you think you have just not solved it yet.
Many studies showed that students who were not taught the growth mindset had continuous declining grades. However, when students had the growth mindset, their academic results improved.
This improvement was demonstrated with thousands of students, especially those struggling.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
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The secret is not to praise intelligence or talent.
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We should praise the process they use.
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Praising their strategies, focus, effort, perseverance and progress is the key.
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These students improved in all these areas with their approach to solve the tough problems.
MORE INFORMATION:
The above information is outlined in a TED talk “The Power of Believing That You Can Improve.”
This talk is by professor Carol Dweck in November 2014. She is a professor at Stanford University. She is the author of ‘Mindset’, about motivation and “growth mindset.”
In her talk she explains the different mindsets and labels them as those who think of ‘now’ versus ‘not yet.’
Professor Dweck ends her talk with the statement, “Let’s not waste any more lives. Because once we know that abilities are capable of such growth, it becomes a basic human right for children, all children to live in places that create that growth. To live in places filled with yet”.
You can watch her TED talk below.
This is a simple, but powerful approach.
This approach is a key to assisting our youth in becoming successful as they grow and enter adulthood.
What are your thoughts about what we can do to assist our youth in this regard?
Please contact me to enter the discussion. How can we assist our youth to face their future with group coaching.
Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.
Fred Jones
Victoria, BC Canada
Fred Jones