An acclaimed key to success is a positive attitude coupled with unshakable self-esteem. People tend to live up to every expectation and more importantly, every expectation they have of themselves. This is generally recognized as true.

Clearly, "Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace" (from As A Man Thinketh by James Allen). Consequently, it is the responsibility of every generation to insure the future by providing a solid self-image for those who will be placed into that future, our children.

The youth of any generation look to the adults and to the leadership of that generation for assurance and reinforcement. Thus, they must be thoughtfully nurtured so as to build positive feelings about themselves that are (1) consistent with universal laws and (2) open to the rights and well being of others.

All too familiar is the one rather unfortunate incident that confirms the relationship between performance and expectations. A bright group of students inadvertently labeled "slow" performed as labeled, below level; whereas, a "not so talented" group of students oppositely labeled exceeded their otherwise "normal" capacity.

Especially in education, everyone must guard against prejudging the merits of students. Everyone must encourage, promote, and inspire growth and development beyond where students are at any moment. They need not be directed nor should they be nagged. They need to have options from which to select. Everyone everywhere must help the maturing generation build confidence that will permit the acquisition of any desired realistic goal. Each member within a community in concert with each person in education must realize the obligation to help every student first, to believe in themselves and second, to accept their true worth.

Teachers must be prepared to bring forth the best in each student and to provide the means that will enable students to measure up to their full potential. Their attitude determines the atmosphere of the learning environment. Their perception of themselves determines the actions that can encourage and build up or discourage and tear down. Teachers stand as signs of expectation.

At commencement, the graduates are charged with a message to go out and to rise up to the challenges of job and life. It is expected that each graduate has acquired all the qualities and resources that will be required. However, to insure that this is so, educators must teach those insights that inevitably will lead to success.

Several acclaimed authorities have provided many powerful lessons that build personal qualities that pave the road to exceptional achievement. These lessons must be implemented and repeatedly reinforced.

Educators who themselves are positive in their outlook must put into place programs that will inspire the belief that building a positive attitude among students will lead to increasingly improved performance. Together educators must turn the elements of belief in a positive attitude into the actions that gradually become a lifestyle, a lifestyle that opens the way for opportunity to materialize.

Attitude enhancement programs are exceedingly powerful. Once implemented and supported, these programs will continue themselves because people want to be positive. People want to excel. People want to look at the sunny side of life and make their dreams come true.

Countless examples of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary hardship and/or handicap have been documented. Those individuals have earned admiration. They deserve hearty applause. They achieved their goals because of an unrelenting determination. Indeed, they are models of hope. They give credibility to strive on and to the notion never give up. Some have been born into environments that will not accept them as they are. Others are born addicted to drugs. Some have been abandoned in early childhood while others have had to find their way out of the depths of uncertainty and extreme poverty. Nonetheless, they emerged to become successful, confidently productive and contributing.

All individuals have the power of choice. Each individual has the same option to either give up or to strive on in pursuit of great and meaningful accomplishments. Everyone if they choose can put themselves in the best possible disposition so that learning and growing can take place in the best possible environment, one that is forward looking and positive.

Creation date : 11/04/2006 @ 04:59
Last update : 11/04/2006 @ 04:59
Category : Restructuring and Transforming Education
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