Talent counts, but effort counts twice.
“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.” - Carol Dweck
We couldn't agree more. Talent counts but effort counts twice, because at some stage you have to actually apply those skills. It is effort that is applied to skill that essentially leads to achievement.
I was always told I'd never be good at Literacy due to my dyslexia.
I wanted to become a teacher.
I was told that I had to take English Language to get there.
The result?
I epically failed.
I didn’t enjoy it, I wasn’t passionate about it and it was not aligned with my interests. I constantly have an internal battle in my own head about grades, exams or assessment.
If I could go back and tell my younger self some advice, I'd take the pressure off. I was so buried in the idea that I didn't have talent in this area, I failed. However, the reality is talent counts but effort counts twice. If I'd been mindful, resilient, curious and optimistic, I could have changed drastically changed that result.
This is why it's vital that we praise effort over talent. Research shows that providing a strong foundation of skills and work habits that would eventually allow children to be responsible for their own families, homes, community and environment - these skills develop self-discipline needed for success throughout their lives.
Repetition is the secret of perfection, and this takes effort. This doesn’t mean reading the same story or completing the same activity over and over again - it refers to any form of work that provides the child with opportunities to practice a skill or knowledge in that area. It is setting a goal, whether it be mental, physical and putting in the effort into that skill is completed. We must help them learn to help themselves, to make intelligent choices and to see a task from start to finish.
So, how are we praising our children? Let’s think about how we praise, encourage and motivate children. Have you ever said that to a child…
“You are so talented”
“You are so smart”
“You are so pretty”
“Good job”
“You did it”
“That’s a great drawing”
“Way to go!”
“Smart girl/boy”
Instead think of something more personal or effort focused,
“You’ve worked so hard on that task, you must feel so proud of yourself”
“Thank you for helping your friend, I especially like the way you asked what she wanted first”
“I can see you’ve been trying to tie your laces, you’ll get there soon with practice and patience”
Children are learning what and why they have received encouragement and this is will motivate them to continue with their efforts.
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Isabelle Russell
