3. Be smart or become smart
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All right. Take a look at this. If something does not work or it is disappointing, what do you think:
"I can't do it" OR "I can't do it YET" "This is too dificult" OR "What am I missing here" "Math is not for me" OR "You can learn math"
The first statements belong to a fixed mindset. The second to a growth mindset.A mindset is about how changeable you think something is. For example, are you smart, or can you become smarter with commitment and perseverance?
A fixed mindset is about being smart, or the fear of being stupid. Failures, setbacks, obstacles or feedback would, unknowingly, say something about you as a person. That is quite vulnerable.
Students with a fixed mindset do not have to get less results, certainly not if they never have to deal with disappointments, but they often experience less pleasure and get bored faster.
Students with a growth mindset are more curious. If something goes wrong they will of course be disappointed, but afterwards they mainly think that with effort and creativity you can always learn something further and move on.
You can change a mindset. Thoughts are networks of nerve cells in your brain. By thinking different thoughts you build other networks.
All right. Mindset challenge: for the next four weeks:
In case of success, don't relate to yourself. Evaluate in terms of result ["Great result!"], Perseverance ["Worked hard!"] Or strategy ["Good choice made!", "I asked for help").If something does not work out or is disappointing, do not relate to yourself. Then think: “At THIS time, and under THESE circumstances, what skills or strategies do I need to succeed? Use this information to your advantage on a subsequent attempt.
Being smart is only interesting if you become a little smarter this way every day ... Connecting and adjusting, connecting and adjusting .... And if it doesn't work out in one go? Then in a second time. Or a third time ... We don't do it for less.