“There are 2 kinds of people: those who think they can, and those who think they can’t, and they’re both right,” is a powerful quote from Henry Ford that unveils a key truth about the World we live in. As we all move throughout our days from task to task, our mindset is the single biggest driving factor towards our success. No matter how big, small, complex, or simple the tasks we face are, our attitude will often predetermine the outcome before we even start. The thing is, whether we think we can or think we can’t, according to Henry Ford we will be right either way. Let’s explore how this quote can help shape the successful mindset of children as they navigate the challenges of growing up:
Empowering Attitude
The true message behind this inspiring quote is about the power of your mind, and how it can shape your body and actions. We all know that the brain is the control center of our entire being, but we often overlook just how much our mind can affect our actions. Think of it like this: when you are hungry, your brain sends signals to your stomach that gives you that famished feeling, and can even make your tummy rumble. Then what do you do? You go find something to eat! That’s just one example that shows how our brain is a powerful instigator of our actions, but now apply it to the quote. When you believe that you can do something, you empower your body to then be able to complete it, no matter how hard. Even if you don’t succeed on the first try, adopting the “I can” mindset will give you the determination you need to keep trying, and eventually succeed!
Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is a crucial skill that kids should learn to develop before becoming young adults, and following the philosophy of this quote can help them in a big way. To start, self-confidence, also called “self-esteem,” is a person’s belief in themselves, and their own ability to do things. When kids have high self-esteem, they not only perform better in their various duties, but they develop a greater sense of motivation and dedication. For kids, learning to frame their mindset with an “I can do it” attitude is a key first step towards enhancing and maintaining high levels of self-confidence. The best part about this kind of attitude, is that it can be incredibly simple to start practicing. For kids, a great way to start adopting this mindset is to simply repeat the phrase, “I can do it, I can do it…” over and over again, a la The Little Engine that Could. Practicing this easy trick before starting any task will help children develop a positive and self-confident mindset in no time!
Successful Habits
Last, but certainly not least, developing the “I can do it” mindset creates positive habits that will set kids up for success for the rest of their lives. By empowering themselves and building self-confidence, kids learn to tackle even the most daunting challenges head-on. Not only are they equipped to handle difficult situations, but they learn how to ignore any negative thoughts that try to stop them from reaching success. It’s natural for us to have self-doubt from time to time, also called “limiting beliefs.” By practicing the positive and successful attitude we’ve outlined thus far, children can learn to overcome those limiting beliefs, and keep racing towards the finish line that is success. Being able to remove any thoughts of self-doubt is an essential skill that will help the kids of today grow up into the leaders of tomorrow!
In Our Classes…
In Martial Arts, confidence in one’s ability is a core pillar of any discipline. A true practitioner understands that the mind is a powerful tool that informs how our body behaves. Working on maintaining a strong-willed and confident mindset is often one of the first things that students learn. In our Taekwondo classes, we encourage students to believe in themselves, and practice a positive, empowering mindset. Though the exercises, drills, and forms we practice in classes can often be difficult, our students are able to complete them with the “I can do it” attitude. Subsequently, when these challenging feats are completed, our students’ self-confidence levels are boosted even further, allowing them to tackle even harder tasks in the future. By learning how to use this quote to their own advantage, our students create a positive feedback loop that leads them to greater and greater success each day.
In Conclusion
In summary, understanding the message of this powerful quote can lead to major attitude adjustments that will positively impact the life of any child or adult. The earlier that kids learn this lesson, the more they will become empowered to tackle any level of challenge they might face, all the while building self-esteem that will carry them toward success. Overall, practicing and adopting this kind of positive mindset sets up lifelong successful habits that children can use to repeat their wins again and again. Just remember, your mind is a powerful tool that can turn your dreams into reality, so long as you allow it to!