Are you familiar with the classic children’s story, The Little Engine that Could by Watter Piper?
This story is a great example of a growth mindset—the “I think I can” attitude that we can improve our intelligence and skills through effort and positive self-talk. In other words, struggling with something difficult does not mean you are not capable; it is an opportunity to grow, learn, and improve. On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the “I can’t” attitude where our intelligence and skills are viewed as fixed traits—we are either good at something or we are not. A fixed mindset can lead us to avoid challenges for fear of failure.
So, what can you do to motivate yourself and others to adopt a growth mindset perspective? First, believe in yourself! You can do hard things! It’s not always easy, but if you practice positive-self talk—use your inner voice to tell yourself “I can” or “I will try” when faced with a challenge—you will begin shifting to a growth mindset.
Need a visual reminder? Check out the video and colorful free printable materials, It's a Good Day, to create a display to remind everyone that it’s always a good day for a good day.
