By Leslie Josel

Persistence is a hot topic these days. We all want to raise a resilient child. Call it what you want—determination, persistence, diligence, even motivation. We know that it is essential for success in school and in life.

This is a huge topic and there are many ways to build this skill. But let’s discuss one easy way to start the process. PRAISE!

Not All Praise is Equal

If you truly want to raise a child who can overcome challenges and possess “stick-to-itness,” then praise the process and not the person. Research shows that when children are praised for their smarts or talents they are more likely to avoid challenges or things that are difficult. They may fear that if they fail, then they weren’t really that smart or talented to begin with.

When we praise them for hard work, attention to detail, or going that extra mile, our children are more likely to keep going when things get tough. As I always say, it’s not about the outcome, but how we get there.

Leslie Josel is the Principal of Order out of Chaos, an organizing consulting firm specializing in student organizing. She is the author of several books, including How to Do It Now…Because It’s Not Going Away, as well as the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management.

Related Smart Kids Topics

• Fostering Resiliency at School
• The Power of Positive Communication