Praise process, not innate ability

Acknowledge effort, strategy, and choices rather than "you’re so smart".

Why it works

Praising fixed ability ("you’re so talented") can teach that results come from a trait you either have or don’t, making setbacks feel like proof you lack it. Praising the controllable process — effort, strategy, persistence — keeps the causal story on things you can change, which supports continued effort after difficulty.

How to do it

1. When recognizing yourself or others, name the specific strategy or effort, not the talent.
2. Tie praise to a controllable choice ("you tried a different approach"), not to a trait.
3. Avoid ability labels even positive ones ("you’re a natural"), which set a fixed frame.

Evidence

Some studies (notably with children) found process praise led to more persistence than person/ability praise. However, the broader literature is mixed, and replication of mindset effects overall has been inconsistent. (observational)

Process-praise findings are real but modest and not uniformly replicated; do not assume one phrasing change produces large or lasting outcome differences.

Common mistake

Swapping in hollow "good effort!" praise after failure regardless of what happened — process praise only helps when it points to a real, controllable cause.