Embracing a Growth Mindset

Harnessing the Power of Selective Attention and
the Gap and Gain

For students who learn math differently, mindset is one of the biggest challenges. Even with the right tools and strategies, a student's belief in their ability to learn and their willingness to put in the effort are crucial. Developing a growth mindset can make all the difference, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth, leading to greater confidence and academic achievement. Understanding how to foster this mindset can significantly impact your child's or student's learning journey.

In this article, we’ll discuss high-level ideas about mindset and provide practical steps to apply them in your life.

1. Selective Attention: Why It Matters

Selective attention is the principle that what we focus on expands in our perception. For example, after noticing a lot of white Teslas, you might start seeing them everywhere. This happens because your brain becomes trained to look for them. The same concept applies to our mindset. By focusing on positive aspects, like achievements and progress, we train our brains to see more of these successes. This shift in focus can transform how we view challenges and opportunities. Instead of dwelling on difficulties, we start noticing and celebrating our wins, which boosts our confidence and motivation.

2. The Gap and Gain Framework

From the book "The Gap and The Gain" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, this framework helps us focus on our progress rather than what we haven't yet achieved.

Think about driving on a long road.

If we are measuring ourselves against the horizon, we’ll never get there. But if we turn around and look back, we can see how far we’ve come.

Understanding the Gap and Gain:

• The Gap: This is the distance between where you are now and where you want to be. Focusing on this can be discouraging because it highlights what you haven't accomplished.

• The Gain: This is the distance between where you started and where you are now. By measuring your progress, you see tangible evidence of your improvement, which is encouraging and motivating.

This shift in perspective is crucial for developing a growth mindset. When you focus on the gains, you feel a sense of achievement and are motivated to continue improving. Dan and Dr. Hardy summarize this as “always measure backwards.”

3. Developing a Growth Mindset

Reflecting on gains is a key strategy for fostering a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. By consistently measuring our progress, we reinforce the belief that improvement is possible.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset:

• Growth Mindset: Seeing our gains reinforces the belief that we can improve. This mindset encourages continuous learning and resilience in the face of challenges.

• Fixed Mindset: Focusing on the gap can create a sense of never measuring up, leading to frustration and a lack of motivation. This mindset can stall progress because it fosters the belief that abilities are static.

By focusing on what we've accomplished (the gains), we train our brains to recognize and celebrate progress, which builds confidence and encourages further effort.

4. Practical Application

Implementing these ideas is simple and effective. Here’s how you can start:

• Daily Wins Journal: Each day, write down one to three "math wins" before bed. These can be math-specific or general achievements. For example, a win could be solving a difficult math problem, understanding a new concept, or even making an effort to try a challenging task.

• Forecasting Wins: Write down three anticipated wins for the next day. This primes your brain to look for successes and reinforces positive focus. It sets a proactive tone for the day and helps you stay motivated.

I do recommend writing the wins in one place. The journal doesn’t need to be anything fancy! Just grab a notebook and get started. Keeping all those wins in one place will allow you to see progress over time. You will be able to look back weeks and months ago to see how you’ve progressed.

Additional Tips

Celebrate Effort: Praise the process and effort, not just the outcome. Acknowledge the hard work and perseverance that led to the win. Or maybe the hard work and perseverance is the win!

Normalize Mistakes: Create an environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. Discuss what was learned from the mistake and how it contributes to growth.

Visualization: Use visual aids like charts or graphs to track progress over time. This helps students see their gains visually, reinforcing the idea of continuous improvement.

Affirmations: Encourage the use of positive affirmations related to math skills, such as “I am improving in math every day” or “I am committed to becoming better at math.” This positive self-talk reinforces a growth mindset.

By focusing on gains and maintaining a positive outlook, parents, teachers, and tutors can help students develop a strong, positive relationship with math and other challenges, leading to greater confidence and success.

Stay tuned for more insights and tips on fostering a growth mindset in future posts!