Stanford psychology professor Dr. Carol Dweck is the internationally recognized pioneer of the concept of "growth mindset" as a way to continually grow, learn, and persevere in our efforts. Dweck found that kids who are told they're "smart" actually underperform in future tasks, by choosing easier tasks to avoid evidence that they are not smart, which Dweck calls having a "fixed mindset." In contrast, Dweck found, kids who are praised not for their smarts but for their effort develop what Dweck calls a "growth mindset." They learn that their effort is what led to their success, and if they continue to try, over time they'll improve and achieve more things. These kids end up taking on tougher things, and feel better about themselves. "Emphasizing effort gives a child a variable that they can control," Dweck has explained.