“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”

This quote is from the international-renown physicist–Albert Einstein, who wasn’t able to talk until the age of three, suffered from dyslexia and autism, was labeled mentally retarded in school, and didn’t graduate from High School. How do you think he navigated through his difficult early schooling years? What created his resilience, confidence, and determination. What gave him the ability to think in big and new ways?

In 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. In 2008, he reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea, completing his quest for the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. What made Erik believe that he, as a blind man, could do this?

The Mars Rover 2020 will touch down in Jezero crater on Mars on 18 February 2021. What behind the scenes actions has it taken for this “impossible” landing and exploration to become a reality?

Simple changes in the kinds of words we speak aloud, and within our thoughts, make a huge difference in our growth and progression.

A simple “ I can’t”, when combined with the word “yet”, becomes empowering.  Saying, “ I can’t do that, yet, ” engages our inner resources and energy to reveal a way that we CAN.  These are probably some of the kinds of words that Albert Einstein, Eric Weihenmayer,  and the NASA Scientists learned to incorporate in their daily mindset vocabulary.

• What does it mean to have a GROWTH Mindset?

• How does the way we talk to ourselves and to our children affect our ability to grow?

If you’d like to learn more–check out the resources below. Select some GROWTH Mindset phrases or quotes to empower yourself and your children, and build growth mindsets together to become the G.O.A.T.  YOU!

• Growth Mindset Phrases and Quotes for Kids.pdf

• Parent Videos: The power of believing that you can improve, Carol Dweck, Ted Talk

  • How to Develop Growth Mindset in Kids

• Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives

• 8 Stories of People Who Proved That Nothing Is Impossible

• Resources for Teaching Growth Mindset

• 7 Ways to Help Kids Cope through Change-Growth Mindset

• Video for older kids: The Mindset of a Champion | Carson Byblow | TEDxYouth@AASSofia

• Videos for younger kids: Growth Mindset – Big Ideas – Classdojo

• Books for parents that build Growth Mindset:

  • “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself” By Shad Helmstetter

  • “The Magic of Thinking Big” By David Schwartz

  • “Mindset” By Carol Dweck

  • “The Resilience Factor” By Christian Moore