FAILURE IS A PREREQUISITE Demeterius “FLITE” Smith New Directions In Student Development Conference Friday, March 7, 2014 Piedmont Technical College

Purpose of the Presentation (Destination) To equip you with information, tools, and techniques that will help you teach your students how to emerge from failure successfully!

How Will We Get There? Define Failure Discuss Mindsets, Attitudes, and Behaviors that contribute to failure Demonstrate techniques that can help you professionally and personally

My Story College Success College Failure College Second Chance

What is Failure? Write down one word that gives your definition of failure

Defining Failure Failure = Opportunity Failure = Misplaced Tool Failure vs. Defeat

Failure Produces: Character Defeat Destroys: Identity

Defeating Defeat Understand the Power of: NO

NO = NEXT OPTION

Mindsets, Attitudes, Behaviors 1 Mindset = How You Think Attitude = Your Perception Behavior = Your Actions

Mindsets, Attitudes, Behaviors Weather Demonstration

Mindsets, Attitudes, Behaviors Hear & See … Think Think … Feel Feel…Say Say…Do Do…Become

Behaviors That Contribute to College Failure 1 Failing To Ask For Help Failing To Follow Instructions Failing To See Past Today Failing To Learn From Failures

Failing to Ask For Help 1 Mindset: What do you think about asking for help? 1. I am smart enough to do this on my own. 2. People will think I’m stupid if I ask for help. 3. Asking for help won’t make a difference; my instructor doesn’t like me anyway. Attitude: How could the following outlooks affect a student’s college experience? 1. I don’t need help from anyone. 2. I am ashamed to ask for help. 3. These people don’t care anything about me. Behavior: Don’t ask for help / Refuse to accept help.

Failing to Ask For Help Free PDF available on Click on tab that says How To Fail At College Click on College Success Assignment For Chapter 1

Failing To Follow Instructions 1 Mindset: (Do you recognize your mindset? If not, what mindset do you have about following instructions?) 1. I know everything I need to know. I am smarter than you. 2. Doing well is too much pressure. I am afraid to succeed. 3. My way is better. 4. I don’t respect the people in charge. Attitude: (How could the following outlooks affect a student’s college experience?) 1. I don’t let anyone tell me what to do. I am grown. 2. I don’t think I can do it. It’s too hard. 3. My opinion trumps your experience. 4. They don’t know what they are talking about. Behavior: Don’t follow instructions

Failing To Follow Instructions Restaurant Scenario: Grill Chicken Breast Baked Potato

Failing To See Past Today 1 Mindset: (Do you recognize your mindset? If not, what mindset do you have about seeing past today?) 1. If I want it, how bad can it be? 2. It will never happen to me. 3. You can’t take life too seriously. 4. I don’t think about consequences. I just go with the moment. Attitude: (How could the following outlooks affect a student’s college experience?) 1. I want what I want when I want it. 2. I am invincible. 3. I got to have fun sometime. 4. I live for today. Behavior: Don’t See Past Today

Failing To See Past Today 3 Questions That Will Change (and possibly save) Your Life

Mindset, Attitude, Behavior 1 Mindset: (Do you recognize your mindset? If not, what mindset do you have when it comes to learning from your failures?) 1. I will never be successful. 2. I don’t deserve to succeed. 3. I am inadequate. 4. I don’t fail. I am perfect. 5. Other people are the problem. It’s the system working against me. 6. What’s the point of trying? Things never turn out right for me. 7. My life is over after what I did. Attitude: (How could the following outlooks affect a student’s college experience?) 1. I’m no good at anything. 2. I hate my safe. 3. I’m so stupid sometimes. 4. I didn’t do anything wrong. 5. It’s not my fault. 6. I will never get it right. 7. I will never forgive myself. Behavior: Don’t Learn From Your Failures / Don’t Try Again

TIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS 1 1.Explain to students why they failed at a particular thing. If you are not sure why, then help them to figure out the answer. 2. Don’t set students up for failure. Make sure you are being reasonable in your requests and provide the necessary resources and information to facilitate their success. 3. Don’t reward, excuse, condone or enable laziness. 4. If you have a good reason to tell a student that they should consider something else, then tell the student and explain why. Examples of this could be a student who dreams of being a nurse but passes out at the site of blood, or a student who wants to be an engineer but has spent two years failing all math and science classes they have attempted. However, be very careful of your motives and your words. Don’t kill a dream unless you’re willing to help bring another one to life. Just because you don’t believe doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

Banks of Life TM Action Plan

Reference : How To Fail At College: An Unconventional Guide To Student Success By: Demeterius “FLITE” Smith