Growth Mindset Blog

Kathryn D. Cramer, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and coach who helps people reframe their experiences and thoughts into a more growth-minded view. She calls it Asset-Based Thinking (ABT). We asked Kathy to share her ideas with the Growth Mindset Community. Her views and advice on feedback and mistakes add another layer to what we are learning about mindsets.

Kathy's Message

Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) means to look at yourself and the world through the eyes of what is working, what strengths are present, and what the potentials are. Conversely, deficit-based thinking means to look at yourself and the world in terms of what is not working, what is lacking, and the gaps between where you are and where you want to be.

With ABT you are more ready and able to Magnify What's Best in other people. When you can see and say what is best – strong, useful or valuable – in someone else, the person feels worthwhile in your eyes and the trust between you grows.

By Emily Diehl, Mindset Works educator consultant

Arriving with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in 45 U.S. states is tremendous pressure for schools to get results and to be masters of the Core as quickly as possible.  Invoking the Growth Mindset as we accept the challenge of the Core standards will help our schools maintain the momentum and stamina we need to develop expertise.

How can schools set themselves up to cultivate Common Core experts?  None of us is currently an expert in the CCSS.  Expertise will emerge with classroom practice and experience implementing these standards with real students.  It will emerge with the willingness to take responsible risks and to participate in collective reflection.  It will emerge with strong collaboration and compassionate patience.  These qualities are only gained in a risk-tolerant system through strategic, purposeful effort which includes timely, formative feedback.

Risk Tolerance

3.3 million teachers will be asked to change their practices, routines, and lessons this year to align with the Common Core State Standards.  That is a staggering number when you think about that many Americans essentially experiencing a major job change at the same time!

It is inevitable that with all this change, some of us will fail.  We will mess it up.  We will get it wrong and forget some essential component (of a standard, a lesson, a concept).  Our central offices will mess up too.  Trainings will go awry, resources arrive late, and support will be well-intentioned, but spotty.  Are we prepared to tolerate this process and allow ourselves to take the necessary responsible risks to LEARN and grow?

I hope so.

Mindset at Work

Click the link below to view a sample lesson from Elk Grove, CA.  Have your students work together to write a class motto that helps them remember the Growth Mindset.

Growth Mindset Lesson: Class Motto

If you teach this lesson, consider entering your work in our 16th Growth Minded Educator Contest or email us to let us know how it goes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Enter the next Growth Minded Educator Contest!

All contest entries have a chance to win an autographed copy of Carol Dweck's book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

Contest Question:

There are many free Brainology resources on the Mindset Works webpage.  Which Free Resource have you used in your classroom? Share your results and/or students' work with the community! (Suggested length: 150 words or less)

Email your answers to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  by May 18, 2013. We'll review each answer and share the winning one(s) on a future newsletter.

If you have any questions regarding the contest, please post a comment or email us at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are excited to announce that the Mindset Works^® Schoolkit was announced one of the finalists for the prestigious SIIA Education CODiE Awards for "Best Instructional Solution in Other Curriculum Areas."

The Schoolkit includes Brainology^® and interactive professional development for educators to develop a growth mindset and to support student learning.

SIIA CODiE Award winners will be announced on May 6^th during a special awards dinner at the Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco, CA.