The Psychology of Teaching for Success

[Stephanie Doell]

I often say that I believe you need 3 things in order to be successful at the things you do:

1) talent

2) passion

3) discipline

 

These seem to be the three qualities that successful people possess. 

 

I am always hesitant to include talent, and for a long time, I tried to believe that talent was a direct result of hard work.  It does, however, seem to exist, and it does seem that some people are just more naturally inclined than others.  I still struggle with the talent concept - to understand how much of an impact it has on long term success and what it really means to say someone "has talent."

 

With that said, I do believe talent is the LEAST important trait.  If you have talent, but no passion, you will not be driven enough to succeed.  Skill takes a lot of hard work to develop, and passion gets you through the rough times.  If you have talent, but no discipline, your work will not be consistent enough to make progress. 

 

So, I think it is important to put it on the table, initially, that the student has talent, but I also think it is important that the student's success be attributed to factors that are within the student's control.  For example, when praising a student, I believe it is more effective to say "Wow, that was really good.  I can really hear all of the hard work you've put into learning that passage" rather than, "Wow, that sounded great.  You are so talented!"  If the student is praised for their effort, the student will continue to want to make the effort.  If the student is praised for their talent, they will feel helpless the first time they struggle to learn something difficult.

 

For more on how to effectively teach for success, visit www.mindsetonline.com.  The author has complied a wonderful array of information on the psychology of success, what works and what doesn't, why people find success and why they don't.

 

NOTE: Please comment - I would love to know what everyone else thinks.

[Jan Freed]

Hi,

 

I just put the book on my Kindle.  I will let you know about MindSet when I read it.

As far as "talent" goes.  I resolved to just keep going, talented or not.  For me, it's a good decision, but , then again, I don't have to make a living at playing flute!  ;-)

 

Jan.

[Stephanie Doell]

Awesome!

[Janet K Bordeaux]

Totally with you. I had talent, but not the maturity to pursue the flute when I was young. I feel like the musical talent gives me a boost, but it's the WORK that makes me improve as a flutist.

 

Now tell us about the relaxed hand discovery! :)

[Jan Freed]

Yes, the relaxed hand. Reveal all, please...