Mindset
Research shows that the brain can change and is able to create greater neural connections. However, some people are still under the old belief that the brain and hence intelligence is set in stone and people can't become smarter. We covered this topic and you received your score at the end of the Student Success Survey (S3).
Having a belief that we can change our abilities is called a growth mindset. This perspective results in more resilience, skill development, and makes success more likely. An example of someone with a growth mindset is Kobe Bryant. During basketball practice, Kobe would not stop shooting until he reached a total of 400 shots (reference: https://www.businessinsider.com/kobe-bryant-describes-shooting-practice-routine-2013-2).
To learn more about the science and positive impact having a positive mindset can have, see the following speech by Carol Dweck, who coined the term. Developing a Growth Mindset by Stanford Alumni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ.
Identifying fix-mindset patterns and combating them with growth mindset thoughts can lead us into behaviors of success.
Activity # 1:
Think about the last time you had a major setback, failure, or rejection in your life. Did you hear the fixed mindset voice in your head? What did it say? If not, what did you hear? Now, how would you answer it with a growth mindset voice? What would the dialogue sound like? Take ten to fifteen minutes to write this down.
Activity #2:
Please summarize what you have learned about the brain's ability to change, and then write a letter to one of the following students. You can also pick a situation that you are currently facing.
Once you've written this down, find a friend, a family member, or a teacher to discuss this with. Share with them what you've learned and how you will use more of a growth mindset in your life.
Keep in mind that a growth-mindset, a good strategy, and hard work lead to success. Please feel free to refer to the resources below, and if you’d like to receive encouraging messages and periodic lessons, let us know by using the feedback form below.
Resources:
Mindset: mindsetonline.com
Dweck's book: Mindset: The new psychology of success
Feedback link: forms.gle/xbbaKRLiGgsUDBTk
Having a belief that we can change our abilities is called a growth mindset. This perspective results in more resilience, skill development, and makes success more likely. An example of someone with a growth mindset is Kobe Bryant. During basketball practice, Kobe would not stop shooting until he reached a total of 400 shots (reference: https://www.businessinsider.com/kobe-bryant-describes-shooting-practice-routine-2013-2).
To learn more about the science and positive impact having a positive mindset can have, see the following speech by Carol Dweck, who coined the term. Developing a Growth Mindset by Stanford Alumni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ.
Identifying fix-mindset patterns and combating them with growth mindset thoughts can lead us into behaviors of success.
Activity # 1:
Think about the last time you had a major setback, failure, or rejection in your life. Did you hear the fixed mindset voice in your head? What did it say? If not, what did you hear? Now, how would you answer it with a growth mindset voice? What would the dialogue sound like? Take ten to fifteen minutes to write this down.
Activity #2:
Please summarize what you have learned about the brain's ability to change, and then write a letter to one of the following students. You can also pick a situation that you are currently facing.
- Sam is a 16-year-old girl struggling in Geometry, she opens her book and looks at the first problem and thinks “Why try!? I couldn’t do this problem earlier. I’ll never get it!”
- Tom is a junior in high school and months away from taking the SAT. “I hate standardized tests. I’m okay at English, I earned a B in the subject. But how can I get a high score when all I’ve done is 'B' quality work in English?
- Sarah is starting college in two months. She is worried about making friends because she’s been so shy and awkward in the past. “No one wants to be my friend here. They’ll laugh at me if I say or do something wrong? I’ve always had difficulty making new friends.”
Once you've written this down, find a friend, a family member, or a teacher to discuss this with. Share with them what you've learned and how you will use more of a growth mindset in your life.
Keep in mind that a growth-mindset, a good strategy, and hard work lead to success. Please feel free to refer to the resources below, and if you’d like to receive encouraging messages and periodic lessons, let us know by using the feedback form below.
Resources:
Mindset: mindsetonline.com
Dweck's book: Mindset: The new psychology of success
Feedback link: forms.gle/xbbaKRLiGgsUDBTk