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

Why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you?

Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going.

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!

Don't judge. Teach. It's a learning process.

Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better? Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? Why look for friends or partners who will just shore up your self-esteem instead of ones who will also challenge you to grow? And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you? The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.

What did you learn today? What mistake did you make that taught you something? What did you try hard at today?