Trying Something New
I popped by a volleyball practice in the gym earlier this week. Picture two nets set up across the gym, with two dozen players on the courts and about a dozen more on the sidelines waiting to rotate in. There were spirited celebrations for points won, along with quick support for a teammate’s mistake. Intensity mixed with joy under the careful oversight of Mr. Seth – math teacher by day, volleyball coach by afternoon!
Here’s what’s most interesting to me: the majority of the players had never played volleyball in any organized way before coming to BUA. I love that these students feel the freedom and comfort to try something brand new. They are willing to take a chance, show vulnerability, admit that they have room to grow, and risk making mistakes in front of their peers. That is an extraordinary thing at any age, but particularly in adolescence. It reminds me of Carol Dweck’s important research, encapsulated in her book Mindset, revealing that people who see key traits as malleable (growth mindset) vs set (fixed mindset) are in fact significantly more likely to improve and perform better across a range of challenges. I am grateful to be in a community that allows young people to feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things, and hope that the same spirit stays with them, not just through high school but for the rest of their lives.