100% effort and the power of purposeful action
Nate Atkinson, Principal.
As educators, we often encourage students to ‘give 100%’. But I need to say, effort alone isn’t enough, it needs to be paired with ‘intentionality.’ Being academically intentional is part of The Northholm Way, paired with pastoral attentiveness. So, if we are to be putting in 100% effort, and we know this is optimised when we are ‘intentional’, what does being ‘intentional’ actually mean?
Being intentional means acting on purpose, with purpose. It’s making deliberate choices and actions that align with our goals rather than simply reacting to whatever comes our way. For example, a student who decides, “I’ll review my science notes for 20 minutes before dinner every night this week,” is being intentional. In contrast, a student who waits until the night before a test and crams for hours is putting in effort, but without a clear, planned direction. Research supports the value of this mindset. Studies on the value of setting clear intentions before embarking on action show they significantly boost follow-through and focus (Gollwitzer, 1999).
Intentionality applies to teachers, too. A teacher who says, “I’m going to model with absolute clarity to my class at the start of each new topic how an excellent essay is constructed so they know what excellence looks like,” or says at the start of each lesson “this is exactly what each student will have learnt and can demonstrate this lesson,” is practicing intentional teaching. It’s purposeful and planned and not left to chance. Australian Education Research Organisation highlights how intentional teaching improves student learning when educators plan and act with clear purpose.
I was sharing with some early career teachers about the theory of learned industriousness, which shows that when students are praised for effort, especially purposeful effort (let’s say ‘intentional’ effort!) they begin to value the process of working hard and become stronger learners. As educators and parents, we can be partnering together to spur our young people along this path of intentional effort, for maximum gain, by noticing when they apply it.
At Northholm Grammar, we’re encouraging students to put in 100% with purpose; to be intentional. That means setting clear goals at the start, creating action steps, and reflecting along the way. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being deliberate, as we put in our 100% effort. When effort and purpose combine, powerful growth follows.
