Growth Mindset (Hard Work Pays Off)

This message teaches Growth Mindset to kids in a way that they can understand.  All too often kids have already bought into the fixed mindset way of thinking.  They think they are either good at something or they are not.

We constantly hear kids say, “I can’t do it.” However, little do they know the power of adding one word… “yet.” What they should be saying is “I can’t do it, yet.” With hard work and practice anything is possible.

Matt will show your students just how little talent he started with by demonstrating the first few tricks he learned.  Then he will show how he used a Growth Mindset to invent signature tricks and ride at the highest level in the world.

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Key Takeaways

• The myth of an “overnight success”
• Hard work is more important than “talent”
• The difference between a growth and fixed mindset
• A growth mindset can be applied to anything
• The power of the word “Yet”

The Long Story Short

At first glance it would appear that Matt Wilhelm is an “overnight success.” He won America’s Got Talent YouTube competition propelling him straight into the live round of shows. In one week he went from sitting on his couch watching the show to performing live on stage in front of 15-million people.

However, it took Matt many years of hard work and practice to get to that last “overnight.” Hard work and practice are much more important than talent.

In fact, Matt wasn’t even the most talented rider among his friends growing up.  However, using a growth mindset Matt improved a little bit every day and eventually became a national champion.

Using this same growth mindset, Matt started playing the saxophone in fifth grade.  He was not very good at first, and the neighbors even called to complain (true story).  But with practice, hard work, and a growth mindset Matt eventually earned a music scholarship to Millikin University.  He graduated magna cum laude.

Students can use a growth mindset to improve at anything, whether it be sports, music, arts, math, or even a spelling word.  Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Not only were your bike tricks awesome but your story was too. You showed us that just because you are different on the outside does not mean that people should be mean to you.
It means you're awesome in your own way and you should be proud of who you are.
Thanks for coming to my school. You were inspiring and I'm glad you came.

Kaitlin -Middle School Student (Received via Facebook)

Perfect for Elementary and Middle Schools

It doesn’t matter if your students are in elementary school or middle school. They will be engaged, impressed, and inspired with Matt Wilhelm’s amazing program.

Watch Matt’s Virtual School Assembly