The power of purpose in learning

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The power of purpose in learning lies in appealing to individuals' desire to make a contribution and feel like a good person in the present moment, rather than focusing solely on long-term gains like good grades or financial success. Framing learning tasks as opportunities to gain skills that help in making a difference leads to deeper learning, greater persistence, and higher grades over time. When teenagers were given a purpose message before a task, they engaged more in tedious math activities and spent less time on distractions like watching videos or playing games online. This approach showcases that individuals, including young people, are willing to endure challenges and difficulties when they understand the 'why' behind their actions, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and the significance of purpose in driving learning outcomes.

In this episode, my guest is Dr. David Yeager, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, and the author of the forthcoming book "10 to 25." We discuss how people of any age can use growth mindset and stress-is-enhancing mindsets to improve motivation and performance.

We explain the best mindset for mentors and being mentored and how great leaders motivate others with high standards and support. We also discuss why a sense of purpose is essential to goal pursuit and achievement.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, boss, coach, student or someone wanting to improve a skill or overcome a particular challenge, this episode provides an essential framework for adopting performance-enhancing mindsets leading to success.

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