We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes who were born different from us. We don’t like to think of them as relatively ordinary people who made themselves extraordinary.

This is hard. This is fun.

So what should we say when children complete a task—say, math problems—quickly and perfectly? Should we deny them the praise they have earned? Yes. When this happens, I say, “Whoops. I guess that was too easy. I apologize for wasting your time. Let’s do something you can really learn from!

Important achievements require a clear focus, all-out effort, and a bottomless trunk full of strategies. Plus allies in learning.

No matter what your current ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.

We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes who were born different from us. We don’t like to think of them as relatively ordinary people who made themselves extraordinary.

You’re in charge of your mind. You can help it grow by using it in the right way.