Be The Little Engine that Could

I think I can, I think I can.” That was the motto of the Little Engine that Could.

In the fable, a long train with many cars tries to find a steam engine that will pull it over a large mountain. The larger, more powerful engines refuse to haul the train because it is too large and they do not believe they are up to the job. Finally, the Little Blue Engine –who was designed just to work in the train yard — volunteers for the mighty task.

As he pulls the long chain of cars over the mountain, he tells himself, “I think I can, I think I can.” Amazingly, our little hero accomplishes his task.

When it comes to productivity and performance, we can all take a lesson from the Little Blue Engine. How often do we doubt ourselves or procrastinate because we are afraid to start? Our little blue friend did not did not hesitate — and he was his own best champion along the way.

Strive for a Growth Mindset

In Mindset, Carol Dweck describes two different mindsets—fixed and growth. If the Little Blue Engine had a fixed mindset, he never would have tried to do the job. He would have said to himself, “well, I am just meant for yard work. There is no way I could ever pull all those cars up that mountain.” Those beliefs would have limited his potential, fixing himself to a certain role in the train yard of life.

But the Little Blue Engine had a growth mindset. “Maybe I was designed for yard work, but I bet if I tried, I could haul all those cars up the mountain.” He believed that he could grow to accomplish an even bigger mission than the one for which he was designed.

How did he do it? As a positive psychologist, I can imagine a number of strategies. He was excited by the challenge he had set for himself. And he was persistent. Maybe when he first started up the mountain he slipped backwards and had to put on the brakes. But he didn’t give up. He built up more steam and tried again.

Maybe he segmented the large task into smaller goals for himself, deciding that he would just get past the first red house and then, once he had done that, get to the second yellow store along the mountain, and so on. He was probably process rather than outcome focused, meaning that he broke his task into manageable steps so that he could actually reach his goal. Best of all, he stayed focused and motivated on his ultimate goal with his mantra “I think I can, I think I can.”

As an author and a teacher, I am inspired by the Little Engine that Could. I wish I was better about being focused on the process (writing a few pages) rather than the outcome (the book). I strive to teach my students that by focusing on the process they will get the outcome they desire. For example, if you study, you will learn, and if you learn, you’ll get the good grades you want. Both my students and I could better follow his model of the growth mindset, remembering that our talents can be developed with effort, practice, and an open mind.

I think I can…

I think I can…

Focus on the Process

Often when I meditate, I ideate on the outcome of my goal, rather than the process that will get me there. Thinking of the Little Blue Engine, I am going to try a new approach, and I suggest you try it with me. When I meditate, I am going to choose to focus on writing a few pages, chanting the mantra, “I think I can, I think I can.” I will tell my students that before they study they should meditate for five minutes about doing their homework, saying “I think I can, I think I can” before they start the assignment. If you feel like joining me, choose your big goal, then each day identify one small action you can take in its direction. Before you start your daily task meditate on it. If you’re as goofy as me, chant “I think I can, I think I can,” while you’re doing it.

I have a feeling that practicing a growth mindset with “I think I can, I think I can” will result in many written pages for me. Pages will add up to chapters and eventually I will see the top of my mountain—my book. For my students, consistent completed homework assignments will add up when it comes time for tests and exams.

What will it be for you? We’ve all got to break down our goals and do our own work before we get to our personal summits. When the Little Blue Engine reached the top of mountain and succeeded in his job, he said to himself, “I thought I could.” It will feel wonderful when we can all say that to ourselves!
 
 
 

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References

Dweck, C. (2007). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine Books.

Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. New York: Penguin Books.

Piper, W. & Long, Lauren (2005). The Little Engine That Could. New York: Philomel.

Coert Visser, Interview with Carol Dweck

Images:
Steam Engine that Could courtesy of aussiegall
Om Girl courtesy of DistortedSmile
Ross Homework courtesy of laffy4K
Mountain Sunrise courtesy of mherring