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MY NOTES

Lesson 6.7 - The 7Ps: Positive Mindset

Resilience is the number one characteristic of successful people. The ability to overcome setbacks, bounce back and go again is written large in the stories of successful people.

In this lesson we look at the sixth of the 7Ps - Positive Mindset. Resilient people have a positive mindset. They tend to be optimistic, believe that good things will happen and as a result are able to stay positive and bounce back from setbacks. So how can we develop a positive mindset?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

✓ Students will understand that successful people have a positive mindset

✓ They will learn some strategies for building and maintaining a positive mindset

SKILLS

‣ Self-belief

‣ Confidence

‣ Being positive

VALUES

‣ Honesty

‣ Courage

‣ Responsibility

‣ Perseverance

RESOURCES

Student worksheets or exercise books.

PREPARATION

To familiarise yourself with the lesson content and how you will deliver it.

TIME NEEDED

50 - 60 minutes. This is a guide and will depend on the range of abilities in the class.

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MY NOTES

EXERCISE 1 – What is Positive Mindset? (15 Minutes)

The learning is that if you focus on the negative, you are more likely to experience a negative outcome. So if you believe that you can’t, then this is likely to be the case.Yet if you focus on a positive outcome, the chances of this being achieved are significantly enhanced. And even where it isn’t if you adopt a win/learn attitude (see Resilience for Success Lesson 2), then you are more likely to maintain an optimistic and positive stance.

So, if you think that you can, it is more likely that your mind will focus on achieving what you want.

This is often referred to as a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Your thoughts and energy, will determine the outcome. Once you are confident that this is understood ask the following question.

Negative examples: I can’t; I shouldn’t; I’m not good enough; I don’t have the energy; I’m hopeless; the situation is hopeless; they would never let us; I’m useless and no good at anything, etc.

Positive examples: I can; I will; it is possible; that interests me; I want to experience that; I want to learn a new skill; I want to have fun and enjoy myself; I like trying new things; anything is possible, let’s give it a try, etc.

EXERCISE 2 – Managing My Self Talk (15 minutes)

Barbara Fredrickson, an American psychologist (and author of a book called Positivity) carried out research around developing a positive mindset and building resilience. This research suggested that resilient and successful people have a positive to negative self talk ratio of

3: 1

“If you think you can or think you can’t, you will prove yourself right.” Ask the students in groups to “Discuss this - what does this mean for you.” Then discuss as a class.

“Who has a voice in their head?” Ask for a simple show of hands. Ask for or give some examples of a conversation or dialogue that people might have with themselvesNow ask “What thinking and attitude takes away your energy?” Again discuss in groups and share as a class.

Now ask “What thinking and attitude gives you energy?”

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Answers might include

★ Recognising when you are talking to yourself★ Keeping a note or diary of all the good things you do★ Saying to yourself at the end of each day 3 things you have done

well★ When you have negative self talk, discuss this with a friend, parent

or teacher.

You could do this more formerly within classes by asking people to talk about what they have done well or focusing lessons around it...for example in English ask them to write some positive things about themselves.

Maintaining a positive mindset and thinking positive thoughts will build energy, self-belief, confidence and raise ambition and achievement and quickly.

EXERCISE 3 – Recognising and Using My Strengths (20 Minutes)

Answer may include it is what they are good at, they are known for, and they enjoy doing.

Make a list of the different strengths within the class.

Once they have discussed this you can share as class. The most successful and resilient people know they aren’t good at everything and are able to accept this and use those things they are good at to achieve success.

MY NOTES

Now ask “What might you do to make sure you tell yourself more positive than negative things?”

Ask “What do you think is meant when we describe people as having strengths?” They can discuss in pairs or groups and as a class.

Now Ask “What are your strengths?” Give each student a short time to think and then ask them to share with a partner. Each pair can then share with another pair. This will help those students who find this more difficult to hear what others think and to choose one or more of the strengths being discussed. Ask “Has everyone found at least one strength?

Now ask “How can they use their strengths to maintain a positive mindset and to achieve those things they want?”

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By discussing this you are helping them to think differently and the quality of someones thinking will often make the difference between achieving something or not.

MY NOTESAsk each student to record one thing they are going to do

differently as a result of this lesson and that will help them maintain a positive mindset. Ask them how they will check to see that they are doing this and agree how you as a class will follow up on this.