What Are The Habits of Mind? 16 Success Encouraging Habits

Why is it that, despite having the same level of intelligence and support system, some people excel while others fail? Are certain individuals simply predisposed to success?

For the past two decades, Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick have been researching and studying these ideas.

The research team developed 16 success-encouraging habits that can be taught to students.

Success, in this context, refers not only to academic achievement but also to professional and social development.

If you want to raise world changers, adopt these 16 habits into your parenting.

From developing problem-solving skills to instilling compassion, these small changes can go a long way in making a difference.

Persisting

One of the most important habits of mind is to persist in spite of difficulty. This means having grit, determination, and tenacity to continue on even when the going gets tough.

It is easy to give up when faced with setbacks, but those who are successful in any field will tell you that it is essential to keep going no matter what.

One of the best ways to develop this habit is to set small goals and celebrate each accomplishment along the way.

This will help you to see that you are making progress even when it feels like you are not.

Managing Impulsivity

Managing impulsivity is a skill that is beneficial in both academic and social settings. The ability to stop and think before acting can help prevent mistakes and regretful situations.

One way to encourage this habit is by modeling self-control and showing empathy toward others.

When we model these qualities for others, it sets a standard of behavior and helps them to understand the importance of managing impulsivity.

Additionally, it demonstrates that we care about their well-being and want them to succeed.

By teaching others how to manage their impulses, we can help create a more positive and productive environment for everyone.

Taking Responsibility

As children grow, it is important for them to learn how to take responsibility for their actions. This is a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives, and it is one that should be encouraged early on.

One way to do this is to allow your child to experience the natural consequences of their actions.

If they make a mistake, let them suffer the repercussions rather than intervening.

This will teach them the importance of thinking before they act. At the same time, be sure to praise your child when they accept responsibility for their mistakes.

This will reinforce the idea that taking responsibility is a positive thing.

Thinking Flexibly

It’s no secret that the world is constantly changing. What was once considered normal can quickly become outdated, and what was once considered impossible can suddenly become a reality.

To succeed in such an environment, it’s essential to be able to think flexibly and adapt to change.

This means being open to new experiences and perspectives and being willing to let go of old ideas that no longer serve us.

Fortunately, these are habits that can be developed with practice.

As a parent, you can help your child develop their flexible thinking skills by introducing them to new people and experiences and encouraging them to consider different points of view.

Thinking about Thinking (Metacognition)

Metacognition refers to the ability to think about one’s own thinking processes. This includes being able to monitor and evaluate one’s understanding and progress, as well as adjusting their approach if necessary.

It can be helpful in academic settings, but it also applies to problem-solving in real-life situations.

One way to foster this habit is by encouraging your child to reflect on their actions and decisions.

Encourage them to ask themselves, “Why did I make that choice?” or “How can I improve in the future?”

This will help them to become more self-aware and able to adjust their approach as necessary.

Managing Distractions

In today’s world of constant technology and distractions, it’s essential to be able to focus and stay on task. This can be a challenge for both children and adults, but it’s a habit that can be developed with practice.

One way to do this is by setting specific times for technology use and creating distraction-free environments for studying or completing tasks.

Encourage your child to take breaks and give their full attention during these times rather than multitasking.

This will help them stay focused and increase their productivity in the long run.

Empathy

Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s a valuable skill that can lead to stronger relationships and a more compassionate society.

As a parent, you can encourage empathy by modeling empathetic behavior and teaching your child about different perspectives.

Encourage them to consider how others may feel in certain situations and respond with kindness and understanding.

This will not only benefit their relationships, but it can also lead to positive actions in the larger community.

Striving for Accuracy

In a world filled with misinformation and false information, it’s important to strive for accuracy in our thoughts and actions.

Encourage your child to question the reliability of their sources and gather the evidence before making conclusions.

Teach them to double-check their work and be attentive to detail. This will not only benefit them academically, but it can also lead to responsible decision-making in all aspects of life.

Questioning and Posing Problems

Being able to ask questions and identify problems is essential for learning and growth.

As a parent, you can foster this habit by encouraging your child to ask “why” and “how” in their daily life.

Encourage them to come up with creative solutions to everyday problems and encourage them to seek out new ideas and perspectives.

This will not only benefit their academic growth, but it can also lead to innovation and problem-solving skills in their future endeavors.

Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations

It’s important to be able to take past experiences and apply them to new situations.

Encourage your child to reflect on their past experiences and think about how they can be applied in different contexts.

Teach them to make connections between concepts and consider multiple perspectives when approaching a problem or situation.

This will not only benefit their academic growth, but it can also lead to adaptability and success in various aspects of life.

Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision

The ability to think and communicate clearly and precisely is valuable in both personal and professional settings.

As a parent, you can encourage this by modeling clear and precise language in your own communication.

Encourage your child to listen actively and ask questions for clarification.

Teach them to identify and eliminate any biases or errors in their thinking before expressing their ideas.

This will not only benefit their academic growth, but it can also lead to successful communication and problem-solving in various aspects of life.

Acknowledging and Learning from Mistakes

Making mistakes is a natural part of learning and growth.

As a parent, you can encourage this habit by acknowledging your own mistakes and teaching your child that it’s okay to make them as long as they learn from them.

Encourage them to reflect on their mistakes and come up with solutions for how to avoid them in the future.

This will not only benefit their academic growth, but it can also lead to problem-solving skills and resilience in various aspects of life.

Finding Humor

Being able to find humor in different situations can lead to a more positive outlook on life. As a parent, you can encourage this by modeling the ability to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously.

Teach your child to always seek out humor in difficult or frustrating situations.

This will not only benefit their overall well-being, but it can also lead to improved relationships and communication skills.

Maintaining Open-Mindedness

Being open to new ideas and perspectives can lead to personal growth and understanding of others.

As a parent, you can encourage this by modeling an openness to different opinions and encouraging your child to listen actively before forming their own conclusions.

Teach them to consider multiple perspectives and be open to changing their beliefs if new evidence is presented.

This will not only benefit their academic growth, but it can also lead to successful communication and adaptability in various aspects of life.