There are many factors that go into a successful education. We often consider the things which are most visible: the teacher, the resources, the homework for example. In this week’s article I want to raise another aspect which is Attitude.
It is hard for students to affect some of the external factors related to education, but what they can consider is their own attitude towards whatever it is they are trying to accomplish. If we can help them develop a positive mindset then they gain in confidence and can achieve more than they might have thought possible.
Success is dependent on hard work, and yet we can add to that by making sure we approach things with the right attitude. For all students (and no doubt adults too), considering how we react to the world around us and how we take advantage of opportunities presented to us is crucial if we are to continue to develop and to expand our horizons and our achievements.
An American author, Charles Swindoll, put this better than I could ever do. Some powerful words to reflect on:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude … I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Patrick Horne, Principal
The British International School Abu Dhabi
