Develop Successful Habits Of The Mind

1. Persistence - To be successful in any field of endeavour you must develop persistence:
   
   
   • Keep going when faced with a challenge
     
     
   • Use a multitude of problem solving strategies to overcome the dilemma
     
     
   • Analyse a problem and then develop a system, structure or strategy
     
     
2. Managing impulsivity - Effective problem solvers are deliberate:
   
   
   • Think before you act and intentionally form a vision of the project, plan or goal before starting the task
     
     
   • Consider the alternatives and consequences of several actions before you start a task
     
     
   • Delay gratification and realise that if you work hard now, the rewards will come later
     
     
3. Striving for accuracy - People who obtain exceptional results in their lives embody this intelligent behaviour:
    
   • Desire craftsmanship, mastery and attaining the highest standards possible
     
     
   • Take pride in your work
     
     
   • Check and re-check for accuracy
     
     
4. Responsible risk taking - Flexible people seem to have an almost uncontrollable urge to go beyond established limits:
   
   
   • Take educated risks, but do not behave impulsively
     
     
   • Draw on past knowledge
     
     
   • Think about the consequences
     
     
   • Have a sense of what is appropriate
     
     
   • Realise that not all risks are worth taking
     
     
   • Step outside your comfort zone
     
     
   • Accept confusion, uncertainty and a higher risk of failing
     
     

* Identified by Dr Art Costa

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