Growth Over Rivalry

Why Personal Best Matters

Focusing on personal growth over competition can be a game-changer for boys at school. Encouraging them to work towards their personal best encourages a mindset of self-improvement, resilience, and lasting motivation that extends far beyond the classroom. 

Relying solely on comparisons with others for validation can lead to disappointment and unnecessary pressure. Instead, guiding boys to measure success by their own progress promotes healthy self-esteem.

Striving for incremental improvement, whether it’s solving a tougher maths problem, shaving seconds off a sprint time, or perfecting a musical piece, helps them see that effort and commitment lead to growth. 

There are several ways to encourage setting personal bests:

Set Clear and Achievable Goals
Help boys break larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, aiming to improve a test grade from 70% to 75% is realistic and measurable. 

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Acknowledge improvements, no matter how small. Did they use three new language phrases? Tactfully outperformed in their last kilometre run. Offer praise for effort. 

Track Achievements Visually
Use journals, charts, or apps to document progress. Seeing their improvement over time can inspire continued effort. 

Some more real-life applications could include:

Academics
Challenge them to beat their own timed reading tests or improve an essay score by focusing on feedback. 

Sports
Encourage a drive to surpass their practice records instead of comparing themselves to the fastest runner or highest scorer. 

Extracurriculars
Whether learning an instrument or coding app projects, encourage setting personal milestones, such as mastering one harder piece each month. 

By emphasising personal bests, boys can take pride in their journeys, not just the outcomes. This approach builds confidence and resilience, equipping them for success in school and beyond.