Growth mindset Quote by John Medina
““What to say instead: “You really worked hard” What should Ethan’s parents have done? Research reveals a simple solution. Rather than praising him for being smart, they should have praised him for working hard. On the successful completion of a test, they should not have said, “I’m so proud of you. You’re such a bright kid.” That appeals to a fixed, uncontrollable intellectual trait. It’s called “fixed mindset” praise. His parents should have said, “I’m so proud of you. You must have studied a lot.” This appeals to controllable effort. It’s called “growth mindset” praise.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Brain Rules for Baby, John Medina, 2014
Praise effort rather than innate ability to foster a growth mindset and resilience.
In simple terms: Praise effort, not talent.
Key Takeaway
Encourage effort‑focused feedback.
Themes
education
psychology
mindset
parenting
Mood
encouraging
insightful
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- school
- homework
- sports
- creative projects
Key Concepts
growth mindset
fixed mindset
praise strategies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance effort praise with realistic expectations?
- What role does intrinsic motivation play?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on effort may cause burnout.
![“We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. Wherever you look, there are still things we don’t know about and don’t understand. [...] There are always new things to find out if you go looking for them.” quote by David Attenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b04/david-attenborough-2396_complexity_we-only-know-a-tiny-proportion-about-the_112007.jpg)
