Courage to Set and Attain Challenging Goals
‘Growth is impossible if we are not willing to stretch ourselves.’ - James Castrission
This week I had the pleasure of reading the boys’ reports.
I have been most interested in their effort and attitude towards learning, as in most cases, this is the area which they can determine themselves.
In my comment, I have asked them to reflect on their learning and to set goals for 2024.
Psychologist Carol Dweck is perhaps best known for her research on how mindsets influence motivation and success. She has found that people with a growth mindset are more likely to achieve their goals than those with a fixed mindset. With a growth mindset, you can embrace challenges and see them as opportunities to learn and grow. You're also more likely to be resilient in the face of setbacks.
A growth mindset, the belief that your skills and abilities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and application, is essential for success in any area of life.
University student, Australian James Castrission has pursued record-breaking feats, including kayaking from Australia to New Zealand, embarking on the longest unsupported ski expedition in Antarctica, leading mountaineering expeditions to some of the world’s most challenging peaks, running numerous ultramarathons, and sailing to remote destinations across the globe.
James explains that the most important driver of success is 'grit' rather than talent. He describes the need for courage, to stick to long-term goals and to persevere when times get tough.
James' secret to success, in both a personal and professional sense, is to concentrate on controlling the three key levers that drive grit:
Focus - Achieving significant goals means concentrating on what is within your control, such as your attitude and problem-solving abilities.
Language - Use empowering language that puts you in the driver's seat.
Step outside your comfort zone - To develop a growth mindset, you need to get used to taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone. That includes making mistakes and failing. Use these ‘failures’ as a learning opportunity to grow.
As you read your son’s report with him, I encourage you to help him reflect on his application and to set realistic but challenging goals for 2024. Goals that are not too easy or too hard but will require him to be courageous.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
