Earlier this fall, a friend recommended that I watch a TED Talk by Shawn Achor, an advocate for positive psychology. His funny, inspiring presentation contains shrewd advice, particularly for students and their parents. Achor’s theme is that gratitude and positivity can vastly improve our probabilities for personal success. I believe that Achor is exactly right, and what better time to embrace his sentiments than at Thanksgiving.
Readiness to learn, confidence, gratitude, and optimism are directly related to student success. As an academic coach, I have long recommended that my students engage in regular exercise because, in my experience, exercise opens the mind to embrace new information and improves mental stamina. I coach my students to speak with authority in the classroom – to assume that they are correct and not to worry that they may falter. I also underscore gratitude. When we take time to appreciate the many gifts we are given and just how fortunate we are, no matter our circumstances, we are better able to stretch ourselves – to learn without fear of failure. Finally, I encourage my students to prepare thoroughly first, of course, and then to go into each assessment with a positive attitude. I deter any and all negativity in my sessions. Students who claim, “I am horrible at math,” or “I know I won’t do well,” are reminded never again to say that – certainly not in my presence - and never to believe it.
Achor posits that 90% of long-term happiness is predicted by the way we process the world, in other words, the way we cope with stress and defeat. Many people are unhappy and vehemently believe that they are unhappy because of their circumstances and their failings. To the contrary, Achor argues that happiness determines success, not the other way around.
At this Thanksgiving, take time to watch Achor’s TED Talk with your children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJsdqxnZb0 Incorporate positivity into your daily life, and allow positivity to set your trajectory. I believe that what we put into the universe will come right back to us.