Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers

by Jo Boaler

now know that when people with math anxiety encounter numbers, a fear center in the brain is activated—the same fear center that lights up when people see snakes or spiders.3 As the fear center of the brain becomes

activated, activity in the problem-solving centers of the brain is diminished.

Anxiety in any subject area has a negative impact on the functioning of the brain. It is critical

we change the messages that are given to learners about their ability and rid education and homes of anxiety-inducing teaching practices.

When we let go of the idea that our brains are fixed, stop believing that our genetics determine our lives’ pathways, and learn that our brains

The knowledge that every time we learn something our brains change and reorganize comes from perhaps the most important research of this decade—research on brain plasticity, also known

as neuroplast...

Unfortunately, they are persistent and widespread in many cultures across the world. The good news is that when

This approach illustrates a key takeaway—when you hit a barrier, it is advantageous to develop a new approach and come at the problem from a new perspective. Despite how logical this

Those who study remarkable feats performed by seemingly ordinary people find that none of the people have a genetic advantage; instead, they put in a lot of effort and practice. Not only are ideas

of genetic ability misguided; they are dangerous. And yet many of our school

model of fixed-ability thinking—limiting potential and preventing students from...

discovered the limitless approach means much more than that.