Mind Over... Everything
Maybe there is no spoon, but there is definitely a newsletter. This is it, you’re reading it right now. So let’s put our mindsets together for this next edition of The Optimalist.
When we’re accustomed to categorizing mindsets in oversimplified terms (ie, fixed vs growth), it’s easy to minimize their impact on us. They can seem like more boxes to put ourselves in. But the truth about mindset is that it is changing all the time, it needs our attention to be realized, and it is something you can choose.
After all, a mindset is an assumption that you make - a belief that can actually change the way you experience physical reality. Mindsets help orient our thinking and determine everything from what we expect from a situation to how we talk about it with others.
Broadening our minds
So it only benefits us to expand the range of mindsets we think about, right? And with that, expand their effects. Of course we are influenced by the world around us; but as humans we have the ability to be aware of and shift our mindsets in order to shape our own lives. The question then becomes: why don’t we utilize this amazing power of the mind more than we do? Why do we fall into poor habits or shrink away from stress?
If we can think of a stressful situation as an opportunity rather than an inhibitor, a whole world opens up that otherwise would not have existed. And you know what? The physical symptoms of stress subside. This is now proven. Because our mindset shapes our physiological state, it then changes what our bodies are prepared to do. It’s actually a matter of attention. And as we now know, the control of attention is an exceptional skill.
And the better control we have of our attention…well, let’s just say that focus may very well be even more than a skill we can hone, but a mindset itself.
If we believe we have the ability to focus, then it’s likely that we can. If we believe that students have the ability to focus, then surely our attitude towards them will match that mindset. If students believe they can focus, then what if that belief helps them be more motivated?
So basically, we are focusable is more than a tagline, it’s a potential mindset. All of us are focusable, to the degree to which we can control our own attention. We are focusable. And it’s this very concept that is the influence for the name of our new product, Focusable, which we are so excited to share more about with you today.
We have now officially launched our website which includes an overview video of the product and our vision.
This new post also further explains Focusable, its inception, and a way to adapt the mindset before ever even using the tool. We are honored to be in the position to help teachers and students find focus and develop their optimal learning experience.
And when you’re done reading, we’d love for you to click here to share what you’re thinking in our Twitter Community, as well as connect with other optimalists. 🐠
The Optima List
the best possible list of community opportunities
💬 The Next #Optimalist Chat…
Join us on Twitter Thurs, April 28, at 8:30pm ET, for “How Do We Help Students Focus and Pay Attention?” w/ Rita Wirtz. Rita is a keynote speaker, podcaster, featured blogger at Bam Radio Network, and former Principal. Just follow #Optimalist on Twitter to participate!
📚 Book Study Launch
The first ever Optimalist Book Study is filling up! We will be reading Peak Mind: Find Your Focus and Own Your Attention by Dr. Amishi Jha. And we’re looking for you to join us! We will study the science of attention to learn how to better train our brains to practice focus, and explore ways we can use it to transform learning. Sign up here.
📰 The Optimalist Recommends…
As a complement to the work we are publishing, we would like to give you a path to discover the words of other educators and researchers who share our philosophies. This week we are questioning our attachment to categorizing mindsets.
Let's stop making “growth mindset” a buzzword - Teach. Learn. Grow.
🧘 Mindfulness Moment
Each issue, we will offer you an element of mindful living that you can try yourself and hopefully in your classroom. Today, a peek into the science of mindsets.
The science of how mindset transforms the human experience | Alia Crum
🔍 Infographic: Focus is a Skill
Each issue we include an original infographic to highlight research, frame ideas, or introduce techniques. This gives you a way to visualize new concepts and share them with your PLN. Use #getfocusable when you share on socials!
Download here: Focus is a Skill
🧭 Follow us on Twitter
We are a small team of product and community managers who would love to connect with you and start learning together. Are you ready to join our school of fish? 🐠
Follow → Sara // Arlen // Andy // Brian // Ali // focusable
Don’t be afraid to say hi, and use the tag → #optimalist