Grit, Learning from Failure, and Valuable Reflections in ES

Week 20: January 20 – 24

Grit, Learning from Failure, and Valuable Reflections

In pursuits to tackle and accomplish our goals (daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly), distractions and obstacles often arise. These interruptions and hurdles can lead to set-backs. Sound familiar? We have a choice in how we handle and approach these diversions. Are we going to have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset?

A growth mindset would say, “I can learn from my mistakes, I can improve by working hard, I will never give up, I am determined to do my best, self-reflection will help me succeed, I can overcome challenges with effort, and I can train my brain.”

As distractions and challenges interrupted the heroes’ work flow this week, the setbacks that took place did not stop the heroes from pursuing their goals. Rather, the heroes re-evaluated their progress and where they wanted to get to, reflected on what set them back, and put forth loads of grit to keep moving forward.

The heroes demonstrated growth mindsets to tackle their goals this week. In order to get there, designated work spaces like this “focus fort” were set up around the studio by the heroes.

When heroes want to accomplish their goals, sometimes, they just want to set up a fort to concentrate.

Other Growth Mindset nuggets of gold this week:

• Heroes finished Deep Books and started book reviews on them.
• One hero restarted her book review (completely on her own initiative) after receiving constructive feedback from fellow heroes on the first creation of the review.
• Heroes led discussions this week.
• One hero finished her year-long goal to read the Gospel of John.
• Heroes held each other accountable to the Hero’s Contract.
• Squad group meetings were held to help set stretch goals for core skills.

In the weekly Town Hall Meeting, the heroes decided to share their “How-to” speeches at the upcoming quest exhibition, and they defined the expectations and requirements for D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read).

The Rube Goldberg machines are getting more and more complicated and involved. As the heroes experiment more with building chain-reaction machines, their plans and ideas are growing in complexity.

The heroes built drag racing cup cars with a rubber band motor! Some attempts worked, and other attempts led to improvements needing to be made on the cars.

Have you asked your hero:

• What goal are you most proud of accomplishing this week?
• What goal(s) did you not meet this week?
• How is the teamwork with your Rube Goldberg group during experiments and machine building times?
• Is there a subject or program that you want to stretch yourself in more?
• What ideas do you have for the exhibition Rube Goldberg machine?
• How will you grab the attention of your audience at the beginning of your “How-to” speech?
• What is something that you want to learn more about?

See you next week!