Our Class Of Tomorrow

 Our Class Of Tomorrow

Our class is a circle of strength, courage, learning, freedom, laughter, memories, love.  

We can all agree; that a great majority of people have gone through difficult periods in their life only to come out later wearing those experiences as badges of honor.  I know personally, I still use these three phrases: “Those were the days,” “My past circumstances were the best things that ever happened to me,” and “I wouldn’t change a thing about my past.”  Even though I’m living in a better period of my life.  Those trials, situations, circumstances, and tough periods were lessons, they were unfortunate experiences but they were beneficial.  

Nietzsche once said: “What does not kill me only makes me stronger.”  As you embark upon the well established path you’ve chosen.  When challenging times of rise use your past as an asset to climb over those mountains.  If things look like they might take a bad turn or your luck might change, why worry?  The best advice is change the direction and finish the race.  Learning to be flexible and understanding.  For those events might be one of those formative or learning experiences you will need at some other time in the near future.  

Always remember these five lesson learned from developing a Growth Mindset: 

1. What can change me?

When’s the last time you learned anything about changing your mind? What if your true learning potential was unknown, even unknowable, at best?  Can you imagine the possibilities of change your attitude toward learning — What would that look like?  What if it were impossible to foresee what you could accomplish with a few years of passion, practice, discipline, sacrifice, and training? According to Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck; you can succeed if you choose too!  If it is done with the right of passion, attitude, and commitment.  

2. Where’s My Hackers AT?

I am referring to those individuals that take responsibility in hacking their brain daily.  Crazy right?  It was a concept I was introducing my students to yesterday and thought maybe I could share it with you too! Just think of how differently your brain would perceive these two statement: I don’t understand it or I can’t learn this because I’m stupid” versus  “I haven’t figured out YET, but give me some time” or “This is challenging and I know I’ll get it right now.”  

3. Culture Starts with Cultivating Self-approval. 

STOP seeking approval from others.  Mr. Lee Roy Washington once said: “Someone else’s opinion of you doesn’t have to become your reality.”  This is something I learned along the way.  I believe all young people need accept themselves as a “work in constant and never-ending progress” and praise the progress.  They must learn how to be resilient and learn how to persevere. 

4. Unlearn 2 relearning.

 

I genuinely believe that on learning is just as important as relearning. Nobody has a 100% Growth Mindset and nobody has a 100% Fixed Mindset.  So, you can focus on unlearning some common beliefs, status quo, clichés, or oppression of phrases (Words) that have been passed down upon you.  For example, instead of thinking of setbacks as mistakes, failures, or faults.  Reframe them as learning (Experience or lessons).  Instead of thinking of challenges as obstacles, situations, circumstances or fears approach them as opportunities to develop new talents and skills.  This is sharpening the saw (Mind) for the future.  

5. Start with a Beginner’s Mind.

Have a beginner’s mind was shared from Zen Buddhism, which is a philosophy that refers to simply a “Willingness to be open, and enthusiastic about learning at any level,” just as a beginner might be enthusiastic of having learn’t something new.  Having a beginner’s mind enables you to look for creative solutions to challenges your perspective and to expanded your experience of curiosity, and eager to learn.  In the Pixar film “A Bugs Life” The Queen Ant and The General Grace Hopper used the same phrase: “We’ve always done it this way.”  Change can be good and change can be bad, but it will always be dependent upon how you frame your mind and how we embrace the process of change. 

The famous slave and teacher Seneca once said: “Here’s a lesson to test your minds mettle: take part of a week in which you have only the most meager and cheap food, dress scantly in shabby clothes, and ask yourself if this is really the worse that you feared.  It is when times are good that you should gird yourself for tougher times ahead, for when fortune is kind the soul can build defenses against her ravages.  So it is that soldiers practice maneuvers in peace times, erecting bunkers with no enemies in sight and exhausting themselves under no attack so that when it comes they won’t grow tired.” This starts with a growth mindset and spirit to win.  

With gratitude, 

Coach Frank Sagasta

Leadership Instructor and Life-Skills Coach  

@coachfranksagasta