Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

11.3: The Power of Your Thoughts

  • Page ID
    321053
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    Metacognition is the ability to think about one's own thinking. It allows individuals to:

    • Reflect on their thoughts

    • Plan strategies for learning new tasks

    • Solve problems

    • Use higher-order thinking to deepen understanding

    • Analyze information

    • Monitor and control their cognitive processes

    But here’s what’s interesting, metacognition is strongly linked to resilience and happiness. Happiness is a skill set that can be learned and strengthened through consistent practice. By becoming aware of our thought patterns, we can interrupt negative loops and create more positive emotional outcomes. Research indicates that intentional habit change has a greater impact on happiness than external circumstances (Project Happiness, 2016).

    According to Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, (2005), here is the breakdown of happiness factors:

    1. Only 10% of happiness is based on life circumstances

    2. The remaining 90% is internal

    50% is determined by genetics

    40% is shaped by intentional activities and choices

    This data indicates that one can increase their happiness by up to 40% through daily mindset and behavior changes. Now that’s powerful.

    “Your thoughts reshape your brain, and thus are changing a physical construct of reality. So think wisely”

    (Parton, 2015, para. 4).

    Habits of Mind Theory

    Mindfulness practices help educators center themselves, regulate stress, and respond to challenges with presence and clarity. Building on this foundation of self-awareness, the Habits of Mind framework (Costa & Kallick, 2000) offers 16 dispositions that support thoughtful, ethical, and resilient professional practice. These habits are not only skills for children to learn, but they are also mindsets for educators themselves. By cultivating the following habits, educators strengthen their ability to respond constructively to challenges, maintain well-being, and model lifelong learning for the children in their care.

    16 Habits of Mind

    1. Persisting: Sticking with a task through completion, staying focused, and not giving up when faced with challenges.

    2. Managing Impulsivity: Taking time to think before acting, remaining calm, and being thoughtful and deliberate.

    3. Listening with Empathy: Devoting mental energy to another person’s thoughts and feelings and making an effort to perceive another’s point of view.

    4. Thinking Flexibly: Being able to change perspectives, generate alternatives, and consider different options.

    5. Metacognition (Thinking about your thinking): Being aware of one’s own thoughts, strategies, feelings, and their effects on others.

    6. Striving for Accuracy: Doing one’s best, setting high standards, and checking for ways to improve.

    7. Questioning and Problem Posing: Having a questioning attitude, knowing what data are needed, and finding problems to solve.

    8. Applying Past Knowledge: Using what you learn and transferring knowledge to new situations.

    9. Communicating Clearly: Striving for accurate communication in both written and oral form; avoiding generalizations, distortions, and exaggerations.

    10. Gathering Data with All Senses: Using all senses taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight, to observe and learn.

    11. Creating and Innovating: Generating new and novel ideas; demonstrating fluency and originality.

    12. Responding with Wonderment and Awe: Finding the world awesome, mysterious, and intriguing with phenomena and beauty.

    13. Taking Responsible Risks: Being adventurous and trying new things while staying safe.

    14. Finding Humor: Seeing the whimsical, incongruous, and unexpected; being able to laugh at oneself.

    15. Thinking Interdependently: Being able to work and learn from others in reciprocal situations.

    16. Remaining Open to Continuous Learning: Having humility and pride when admitting we don’t know; resisting complacency.

    A chart titled "Habits of Mind" listing various cognitive skills, each accompanied by a symbol and a brief description.
    Figure 11.2 Habits of mind image was created by AI through ChatGPT


    This page titled 11.3: The Power of Your Thoughts is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Laura Daly.