Positive Attitude and Self -Esteem: Learning Better
Successful learners have positive beliefs and attitudes towards learning. What we think about ourselves and what we are doing does matter! It changes how well we do in our studies …and how well we succeed in the whole of our lives.
Dr. Masaru Emoto is a Japanese photographer who photographs crystals in frozen water. He started with different waters around the world, froze samples and took photos of the crystals. As could well be predicted, the polluted crystals were ill-formed and ugly. Then he placed messages written on paper under the bottles overnight and repeated the crystal photography. Water that has been exposed to loving words, like "Joy", "Compassion" and "I Love You" forms crystals that are beautiful, showing brilliant, complex, and colourful snowflake patterns. In contrast, water exposed to negative thoughts forms incomplete, asymmetrical patterns with dull colours . Think about it! We’re 55-60%water! "If thoughts can do that to water, imagine what it is doing to our bodies and brains"" (as a narrator from What the Bleep Do You Know? remarks)
Identify and ignore any negative inner dialogue. You can get into a habit of putting yourself down, saying you can’t do something, or being afraid of trying something.
Remind yourself of the things you can do. Get to know your own strengths and weaknesses.
Replace fear and negativity with positive self talk. Say “I can do it” and you will, if you begin now!
Maintain your vision! Keep your eyes on your goals. Take concrete action to begin on your path to your goals.
Surround yourself with people who encourage and build you up. Keep away from people and situations that steer you off your own track to your goals.
Don’t blame other people for your own mistakes. Don’t enlarge them. Learn from them. Do better next time.
Don’t enlarge difficulties! Cut them down to size by looking at them squarely. Work out ways to overcome them.
Take advantage of learning opportunities at school. Be interested! Remember boredom is in your head! Pay attention in class, complete homework, revise and create good notes.
Take advantage of learning opportunities elsewhere. Be attentive and engaged; take an interest in the world around you. You can learn from mentors and role models, co-workers and friends, magazines, journals, television, books and newspapers, the Internet, by volunteering and by teaching others what you know (this helps you to improve your skills and insight)
Exercise regularly. Eat well. Get enough sleep. Take time to really relax.
Be honest, kind, fair, friendly and show support and concern for others.
Rosemary Horton Teacher Librarian
A Positive Attitude Will Help You Learn Albert Learning Service Learning Tips Government of Alberta
Developing a Postive Attitude Wellness Tips Biomedica
Messages from Water Masaru Emoto Japanse photographer has proof that thoughts and feelings affect physical reality.
Water Crystals What the Bleep Do You Know?
Self-Esteem Wikipedia
Self Esteem Parenting and Child Health South Australia
New thinking on self-esteem EQ Curriculum Corporation
Self-Esteem Research Flinders University Sue and Jo
Dialogue on Self-Esteem and Learning A Vision: Learning to Happen David Boulton
What is Self-Esteem? The Counseling & Mental Health Center The University of Texas at Austin
Self-Esteem Learning Foundation USA
Teaching Guide: Enhancing Self-Esteem for grades 5-9 Good Character
Building Positive Student Self-Concept Stevenson-Carson School District Stevenson, Washington Kathleen Cotton NW Regional Educational Laboratory
