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PERSEVERE OVERCOME WIN:
A Good Attitude Will Take You Where a Dollar Won't:
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My mother taught me, “A good attitude can take you where a dollar won’t.” That means people are likelier to help someone with a great attitude and less likely to support someone who's rude.
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For us to develop a child’s confidence, they must have their attitude set on winning. What do I mean? Have you ever baked a cake? If you look at the recipe, there will generally be instructions to set the oven temperature to the desired degree. When you set the temperature, does the oven instantly become hot? No, you set the temperature, and it usually takes a few minutes to arrive at the desired degree of heat. While you wait, you continue with other instructions like mixing or prepping.
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Developing the right attitude is no different. Remember that the child you’re helping--especially if it’s not your own, already has an attitude set. Your job is to develop that attitude to a higher degree, which takes time. As the child improves in confidence, his or her positive attitude will improve. As a result, doors will begin to open for them, which are usually shut.
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The Foundation:
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If children were to be described as a castle, the Confidence Source is like their vault tucked deep inside the castle, holding the treasures and capacity of their kingdom. A Confidence Source works like a bank account: the more positive a child deposits in and the less they withdraw (meaning, the fewer avoidable, negative thoughts, experiences, word choices, and people you have)—the more prosperous they will become.
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In the case of developing children, a high Confidence Source means a child is receiving lots of positive deposits. This child will have a high level of self-realization, a great chance of following through on tasks, taking initiative, and a much greater chance of achieving his or her dreams.
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A low Confidence Source means too many withdrawals, causing a child to have insufficient Confidence. A low Confidence Source leads to a greater risk of failing on assignments, a lack of initiative, and a higher propensity to have damaging behavior. Worse, children with a low Confidence Source will have a harder time realizing their potential and positively impacting their community.