We all want kids to succeed. So when they’re struggling—slipping grades, missed assignments, low energy—it’s tempting to fall back on a familiar story: They’re so smart. If only they’d find a passion and try harder. Be gritty. It sounds reasonable. It feels like we’re offering encouragement. But it’s often wrong. In her recent Atlantic article,...Read More
Did you know that trying harder isn’t the real issue for most struggling students? Research shows that many young people today aren’t just unmotivated—they’re disconnected from a real sense of purpose. The World Happiness Report 2025 points to global data showing rising rates of sadness, anger, and anxiety among youth. The root of the problem? ...Read More
Having a mentor is like having a backstage pass to your own potential. For young adults who might look at school subjects and wonder, “How does this add up to a real job I’d enjoy?”, a mentor is there to light up the path and make it all make sense. They bring experience, perspective, and...Read More
Do you struggle to persevere at challenging tasks? While external factors like skills, resources, and opportunities certainly play a role, how you perceive and believe in your own abilities to tackle tasks can significantly impact your level of persistence. Did you know that an intricate dance is continually occurring between your beliefs and your actions...Read More
When she was a child, MacArthur prize-winning best-selling novelist Chimamanda Adichie’s writing imitated the dominant culture that was offered in the literature at her school. Though Adichie is Nigerian and black, the characters in her first stories were light-skinned and lived in Western countries. In her 2009 TED Talk which has been viewed nearly 33...Read More
One of the things parents and teachers both ask about is the student who does not self-advocate. To the adults, it does not seem to make sense that a struggling or confused student would not reach out. The student may need your guidance to access help. ________________ When was the last time you had to...Read More
One of my favorite things to remind people is that it’s never too early and it’s never too late to get started making a difference. Prime happier, more joyful holidays with videos and books that will boost you now and as you ring in the new year! What if you could give practical, engaging gifts...Read More
Not too long ago Millennials were considered by some leaders to be the scourge of the workplace. However, by openly sharing their desires to have the workplace reimagined to meet their needs, schedules became more flexible, and benefits began to include lifestyle perks as well as health insurance and 401K’s. Gen Xer and Boomer workers...Read More
What’s one way to give something truly valuable to your friends and loved ones who are far away? You now have nine ways to have The Effort Myth: How to Give Your Child the Three Gifts of Motivation delivered right to their device! The Effort Myth: How to Give Your Child the Three Gifts of Motivation...Read More
No one should have to suffer to be an effective learner. Often, children would try harder if they only knew how. Fortunately, you are a key person in any child’s life-long learning. It can be easy to see lack of motivation as a child’s own problem to fix. The truth is that students depend on...Read More
