#1 Personal Greatness: 10 Essential Elements of Vandermont's Learner-Driven Community

In life, and especially as a student, achieving personal greatness is the ultimate goal. It means living up to your full potential, reaching your goals, and becoming the best version of yourself. It takes hard work, dedication, and a commitment to your dreams. Sometimes that looks like having heroic actions. This narrative equips young learners with the tools and skills they need to learn how to learn, learn how to do, and learn how to be. For example, they learn early on that it’s important to fail early, cheaply, and often; and that perseverance and grit are more important than raw talent. Nemo. Luke Skywalker. Mulan. Odysseus. Dorothy. The Little Engine that Could... and many more... are all books and movies we sat and read to our young children or watched intently that instilled the grit that is required to achieve personal greatness through heroic actions and, most importantly, not give up.

At Vanderont, we don't "spoonfeed" our learners. We are working hard each day to be able to empower our learners to use their own initiative and help them realize they are ultimately in charge of where they go and what they accomplish! We want them to realize just how much power they have and that their greatness is in them, and we are not here to hold them back, but support their goals and help them get to "yes"!

Here are some tips for students looking to achieve personal greatness.

1. Set goals: The first step towards achieving personal greatness is to set goals. Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated. 2. Develop a growth mindset: Having a growth mindset means believing that you can learn and grow. Instead of giving up when faced with a challenge, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and improve. 3. Be persistent: Achieving personal greatness is not a one-time event. It takes persistence and determination. Keep pushing yourself, even when things get tough. 4. Take risks: Taking risks can lead to great rewards. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. 5. Embrace failure: Failure is not the end of the world. It's an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't be afraid to fail. Instead, use it as a stepping stone to success. 6. Stay organized: Being organized is essential to achieving personal greatness. Create a schedule, make to-do lists, and keep track of your progress. 7. Seek help: Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. Seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or peers. 8. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential to achieving personal greatness. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.

Achieveing personal greatness is possible for all of us. It takes hard work, dedication, commitment to your goals, and heroic actions. Set goals, develop a growth mindset, be persistent, take risks, embrace failure, stay organized, seek help, and practice self-care.

Also, use a hero's identity as a reflection tool when things get hard. Remember, a hero is someone who doesn’t quit or blame. “I love you. I know this is hard. I know you can do it. Now, get back in the game, my dear and beloved hero.” Go seek greatness!