I am going to be getting this book, which was a topic of discussion last week with Dan Pink. He says that the author (aptly with the last name of ‘Tough’) says:
“The book takes on what Tough calls the “cognitive hypothesis,” the idea that success hinges on mental processing speed and traditional brainpower. Instead, citing lots of interesting research, Tough shows that “non-cognitive skills” – perseverance, optimism, self-control, and so on – are actually what matter most.”

Perseverence, optimism, self control. These are things I drill into my students. “No Whining” signs grace the walls. “Never never never give up” is on my fridge at home. I’m going to read this and perhaps share it with my parents at school. Wow.