Why some people do well

Apparently, our sense of success is related to our perception of ourselves, and how willing we are to struggle.

Tracy Cutchlow wrote that children grow up with one of two possible mentalities:

Either that "if you have to work hard, you don't have the ability", or that "the more you challenge yourself, the smarter you become".

Those with the former attitude limit themselves as they fear being laughed at, as they consider themselves weaker, less clever, and less able compared to others.  Those with the latter attitude do not compare themselves with others as much, but seek to improve and to extend their boundaries.

And people can change between these two mindsets over time, as people are influenced by their teachers, their parents and their peers.

Would you agree with Tracy?  Why or why not?

Is positive attitude all that one needs?  How can this be nurtured?

Meanwhile, Joanne Lipman wrote of a teacher called "Mr K", who believed that "praise makes you weak while stress makes you strong".  Apparently, Mr K's method of teaching was such that his best complement was "not bad".  Mr K believed in hard work, and in pushing his students in ways contrary to the mindset of the positive parenting techniques today.

So, which is the right method to teach and train?  The carrot or the stick?  The push method, or the pull?  What is effective?

How does God deal with us?  How do we prefer to be dealt with?

How would you teach?