The Potato Challenge

Can you put a straw through a potato?

Like this ?

Da da !

So what’s the point? 1. If you plant doubt, it can be self-fulfilling. By suggesting that it might not be possible, sure enough, some people conclude that it is impossible. But if you simply ask ‘how can it be done?’, the question is not ‘if’ but ‘how’. 2. Trial and error and testing things out will often lead to better solutions than lots of debate and discussion about what might work in theory. It’s a hands-on solution; it’s physical. 3. Sometimes a direct approach is the best solution – just go for it. Do it. Believe that the straw will go through in one stabbing motion. 4. The satisfaction of that stabbing action, penetrating the potato, is quite addictive. Try it. You immediately want to do it again. Overcoming a difficulty and experiencing success is a great feeling – even if it is just stabbing a potato.

I wonder how this lady would see the potato challenge?

The ex-cleaner who turned around one of Britain's toughest schools: From working at a kennels - after she left school with no qualifications - to taking on 650 students as their headteacher. When she left at 16, she not only had no qualifications but was equally lacking in ambition. Married young to her childhood sweetheart Colin, she made ends meet working first as a kennel assistant then as a cleaner while raising three young children. Nowadays, the girl who ‘didn’t see the point of school’ is not only an award-winning head teacher, but one who, in four years, has overseen the impressive transformation of one of the most challenging schools in Wales, increasing the number of pupils who get five GCSE A to C grades including maths and English from 13 per cent to 48 per cent this year. EDUCATING CARDIFF

A new year…… It’s all about your mindset this year……… 1.Don’t plant doubt in your mind….Think how can I overcome this problem – not “if”? 2.As any good scientist will tell you- many great discoveries or progress are a result of trial and error. 3.Sometimes you have to take the direct approach. Just have confidence. 4.Enjoy success. We are all good at something….just keep going with the things that challenge you and you can keep getting better.