Blog Layout

Get Out of Your OWN Way!- Dr. India White

India White • January 4, 2022

Get out of Your OWN Way!- Dr. India White

Get out of Your OWN Way! -Dr. India White

     Have you ever started out the year with a New Year’s resolution, just to put the same goal on the next year’s docket? Well, let me help you with this one; maybe you got in your own way just a little bit. LOL.

However, there are no worries. Sometimes, it’s good to reflect and see the progress made as well as areas of growth and focus that still remain. The start of a new year is good for that. Getting out of your own way is necessary for true progress. Here are some tips for you to consider when you are aiming to make progress and get out of the way of your success:


1.      Stop Procrastinating       

a.      Many people have been guilty of thinking, “Oh it won’t hurt to just put this off for a little while. However, with the way humans are naturally, a little while often turns into longer than planned, which causes goals and progress to be delayed. In order to arise from failed dreams and setbacks, choose to plan a date for the success of your goal, and don’t stop until you’ve achieved it.


2.      Get a Fresh Vision

a.      There is a proverb that states that where there is no vision, the people perish. Therefore, writing your vision and making it plain is the best way to start your journey for the new year. So many people have gone into the new year stating, “New Year, New Me”, but they don’t have a goal listed. This is not going to help them in the long wrong. A vision is essential for the success at hand for each person truly hungry to achieve their goals.


3.      Remain Patient

a.      Sometimes, a lack of patience can cause individuals to lose out on their goals. In order to reach your goal, you must choose to remain patient and persist until the end instead of giving up too soon. This life should not be seen as a sprint, but a marathon. You must choose to run a steady pace, winning in the end.


4.      Don’t Sabotage Your Success

a.      Sometimes your success is sabotaged because you trusted the wrong people with your plan, or because you simply didn’t count the cost for your success. However, be encouraged and know that there’s always another chance at achieving success. If you were a victim of destroyed goals and dreams, choose to take a moment to step back and reflect and find out what can you do differently to taste of success next time. Choose to plan wisely and have faith and watch it come to pass.


     In conclusion, in order to get out of your own way, choose to stop procrastinating about your success. In addition, as you are paving the way towards success, remain patient as the plan unfolds before you. Then, make sure you write down your vision and don’t sabotage it by placing it in the wrong hands I wish you the best this year as you get out of your own way and truly taste of your success!

By India White April 3, 2025
### April Newsletter: A Month of Grit and Growth April is here, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting month filled with powerful opportunities to build grit, inspire educators, and impact students. From conferences to new resources, I’m thrilled to share what’s happening this month and how you can get involved. Speaking at MCTM’s Annual Math Conference in Minnesota I’m honored to present at the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference this month, where I’ll be diving into how to create a Gritty Thinking Classroom. In this session, we’ll explore how the G.R.I.T. framework aligns with Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms, helping educators develop a culture of perseverance, resilience, and self-efficacy in their math students. If you’re attending, I’d love to connect and discuss ways to empower students through productive struggle. G.R.I.T. Workbooks and Resources The G.R.I.T. Workbook series continues to grow, providing teachers, students, and parents with practical tools to develop growth mindset, resilience, and time management. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your own grit or help students push through challenges, these workbooks offer actionable strategies to build confidence and perseverance. G.R.I.T. Online Courses and Masterclass For those looking to take a deeper dive into grit, we’re rolling out G.R.I.T. online courses and mini-workshops designed to help educators and leaders implement grit-based strategies in their schools and classrooms. Stay tuned for our Masterclass, which will provide an interactive learning experience on how to cultivate grit in both personal and professional settings. G.R.I.T. Podcast: Conversations That Inspire The G.R.I.T. Podcast continues to feature insightful conversations with educators, leaders, and changemakers who are passionate about building perseverance and resilience. Each episode offers motivation and strategies to help you stay committed to your goals and push through challenges. Be sure to tune in for inspiring discussions that fuel personal and academic growth. Stay Connected If you’re looking for more ways to engage with the G.R.I.T. movement, be sure to check out: - www.india-white.com – Explore my work, speaking engagements, and resources - www.gritacademy.us – Learn about G.R.I.T. Academy, where we help students and educators develop the skills they need to thrive This month is all about embracing grit, growth, and resilience. Whether through conferences, podcasts, or online learning, I’m excited to continue this journey with you. Let’s keep pushing forward and building a culture of perseverance together. Stay gritty and keep striving for greatness!
By India White April 3, 2025
Excited to Speak at MCTM’s Annual Math Conference: Building a Gritty Thinking Classroom! I can’t wait to present at MCTM’s Annual Math Conference this April in Minnesota. This opportunity is truly special because I’ll be diving into two of my passions—grit and Building Thinking Classrooms—to help educators create Gritty Thinking Classrooms that foster resilience, problem-solving, and perseverance in students. Why Grit Matters in the Math Classroom Math is not just about numbers and equations; it’s about persistence, self-efficacy, and growth mindset. So many students struggle with productive struggle, but when we intentionally build grit, they learn how to push through challenges rather than give up. By implementing Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework, we help students: - Develop a growth mindset - Build resilience in problem-solving - Strengthen self-efficacy - Improve time management and perseverance Connecting Grit with Building Thinking Classrooms Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms has transformed the way we engage students in math learning. When we merge BTC structures with grit, we create an environment where students: - Tackle challenging problems head-on - Collaborate with peers to build understanding - Learn to embrace struggle as part of growth - Develop confidence in their ability to succeed In my session, we’ll explore how BTC’s 14 elements align with grit and how teachers can create a culture of perseverance in their classrooms. See You in Minnesota! If you’re attending MCTM’s Annual Math Conference, I’d love to connect. Let’s talk about how to empower students to think, struggle, and grow. Together, we can build Gritty Thinking Classrooms that transform how students learn and engage with mathematics. Let’s get gritty! See you soon in Minnesota!
By India White March 25, 2025
๐ŸŒŸ Excited to share my VCTM recap video! ๐ŸŽฅ Join me as I engage with teachers during my keynote, discussing strategies to best support our 8th grade math students. Together, we can make a difference! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ“š Check it out and let’s keep the conversation going! #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #vctm #vermont #nabse #naacp #education #doe
By India White March 25, 2025
Reflection on The Power of Grit Keynote to Vermont Teachers Speaking to the dedicated educators of Vermont about the Power of Grit was an inspiring and reaffirming experience. As I shared the pillars of grit—Growth Mindset, Resilience, Time Management, and Self-Efficacy—it was evident that these concepts resonated deeply with the teachers in the room. Their commitment to fostering perseverance and confidence in their students was both heartening and energizing. Throughout the keynote, I emphasized the transformative role of a growth mindset—how students who embrace challenges and see effort as a path to mastery are more likely to persist through difficulties. I could see educators nodding in agreement as they reflected on their own students' struggles and triumphs. Encouraging students to reframe failure as a learning opportunity is a crucial shift that builds not just better mathematicians, writers, and thinkers but also more resilient individuals. Resilience was another cornerstone of the discussion. I shared stories and strategies to help students push past obstacles and develop the endurance needed to navigate academic and personal challenges. The engagement in the room reaffirmed that teachers, too, are models of resilience, especially in today’s educational climate. One of the most practical elements of the keynote focused on time management—helping students (and educators) break down overwhelming tasks, set realistic goals, and prioritize effectively. The response to this section showed that time management remains a crucial skill, not only for students learning to structure their studies but also for teachers juggling multiple responsibilities. Finally, we explored the power of self-efficacy, that deep-seated belief that one’s efforts lead to success. We discussed ways to cultivate this mindset in students through intentional feedback, scaffolding, and celebrating small wins. Seeing the teachers reflect on how they could implement these strategies in their classrooms was incredibly rewarding. This keynote reaffirmed my belief that grit is not just a personal trait—it’s a culture that educators can foster in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Vermont’s educators left the session with new insights, actionable strategies, and a renewed commitment to equipping students with the perseverance and confidence needed for success. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this message, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work in cultivating grit across the state. Thanks Vermont Rockstars. Stay gritty!
By India White March 25, 2025
โœจ I had a phenomenal time speaking for the VCTM Rockstars in Vermont! We dove into how to reach all learners and stay motivated through grit. ๐Ÿ’ช I can't wait to see the results from the grit assessment and framework! Stay gritty, y’all! ๐ŸŒŸ #drindiawhite #vctm #vermont #grit #educators #math
By India White March 25, 2025
๐ŸŒจ๏ธ Greetings from Vermont! Loving the beautiful snow! โ„๏ธ Can’t wait to get gritty with all you rockstars! Let’s do this! ๐Ÿ’ชโœจ #drindiawhite #grit #vermont #math #teachers #snow #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse
By India White March 18, 2025
๐ŸŒŸ Super excited to announce that I’ll be the keynote speaker at the VCTM Annual Conference in beautiful Vermont! ๐ŸŽ‰ Huge thanks to the amazing VCTM rockstars for this incredible opportunity! Let’s dive into the power of grit together! ๐Ÿ’ชโœจ I can’t wait to share insights and connect with fellow educators, students, and math enthusiasts. Join us by registering below: https://vctm.wildapricot.org/event-5950535 Let’s make this an unforgettable experience! #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #vctm #teachers #students #math (I don’t own music copyright)
By India White March 18, 2025
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White, featuring special guest Heidi Diercks, a retired educator, and life coach! Check out Heidi's coaching nuggets here :chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=89c50e1d3a&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1826500568311074330&th=19590896f43b0e1a&view=att&zw&disp=inline&acrobatPromotionSource=GmailNativeViewer Watch on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/.../Lets-Get-Gritty-Podcast... #drindiawhite #grit #tedx #lifecoach #education
By India White March 18, 2025
๐ŸŒŸ Super grateful to announce that I’ve been selected to speak at FCTM this year! ๐ŸŽ‰ Let’s dive into the topic of grit and its importance in education! ๐Ÿ’ชโœจ Be sure to register by visiting their website. A huge thank you to the FCTM leaders for this incredible opportunity! ๐Ÿ™Œ #DrIndiaWhite #Grit #TEDx #Math #Educators #Teachers #Students #FCTM #NCTM #NCSM
By India White March 18, 2025
๐ŸŽ‰ Super excited to announce that I've been accepted to speak at the NCTM Annual Conference in Atlanta this October! To God be the glory! ๐Ÿ™Œ I can't wait to share my insights on grit and how it can transform our approach to education. Join us and register today! Let's make this an unforgettable experience! ๐Ÿ’ชโœจ #NCTM #NCSM #BWXME #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #NABSE NCTM - National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education
More Posts
Share by: