By Charles Barnard, founder of Success Institutes.
“A culture that allows the concept of ‘safety’ to creep so far that it equates emotional discomfort with physical danger is a culture that encourages people to systematically protect one another from the very experiences embedded in daily life that they need in order to become strong and healthy.”
The previous quote is taken from “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure“, a book I highly recommend.
The context is a response to the need for safe spaces on college campuses.
Understanding Safe Spaces
The term “safe space” elicits a range of emotions.
But what exactly do we mean when we talk about a culture of safety and the need for safe spaces?
According to Wikipedia, “the term safe space refers to places created for individuals who feel marginalized to come together to communicate regarding their experiences with marginalization, most commonly located on university campuses in the western world but also at workplaces, as in the case of Nokia.”
“The terms safe space, safer space, and positive space may also indicate that a teacher, educational institution, or student body does not tolerate violence, harassment, or hate speech, thereby creating a safe place for marginalized people.”
On college campuses, a “safe space” usually has one of these 3 meanings…
1. Some classrooms are designated as academic safe spaces, where students are encouraged to take risks and engage in intellectual discussions about uncomfortable topics. Here, free speech is the goal.
2. The second definition describes groups on college campuses that provide respect and emotional security, often for historically marginalized individuals.
3. A third definition, often used by educators, describes safe spaces as designated areas where students can retreat to calm down, process emotions, or be alone, as mentioned in an article on We Are Teachers.
The Impact of Safe Spaces on Growth Mindset
When we combine these definitions, we see that a culture of safety is the realization of the belief that we must protect individuals from emotional harm.
This could mean shielding marginalized individuals from judgment or ensuring people feel safe expressing controversial ideas.
However, if the authors of The Coddling of the American Mind are to be believed, this mindset of safety does more harm than good because it “encourages people to systematically protect one another from the very experiences embedded in daily life that they need in order to become strong and healthy.”
Mastering a growth mindset becomes increasingly difficult when we do not have experiences that allow us to put our training into practice.
Growth requires exposure to adversity.
If we are shielded from discomfort, we lose the opportunity to develop resilience.
Mindset training is a lifelong process, requiring constant refinement through life’s trials and tribulations.
Building a Champion’s Mindset
Before constructing anything, excavation work is crucial.
We must remove obstacles, smooth the terrain, and prepare a solid foundation.
In mindset training, this foundational work is called Mindset Transformation Training.
This phase involves building good habits, managing emotions, and developing a resilient attitude.
By addressing past experiences and eliminating limiting beliefs, individuals can undergo tremendous personal growth.
Once this foundation is set, the next step is developing the mindset of a champion.
This mindset is built on a foundation of love… leading to patience, kindness, trust, hope, and perseverance.
After the foundation is in place, the next step is constructing the supporting pillars: faith and faithfulness.
Faith training involves evaluating deeply held beliefs to determine whether they align with one’s true convictions.
In modern Western society, particularly in America, many people experience incongruence between what they think they believe and what they actually believe.
This misalignment can be a significant barrier to personal growth.
Once faith is strengthened, faithfulness follows, bringing additional character traits essential for personal development.
The final elements of this mindset training include the arch of mastery, covering mental discipline, physical well being, relationship skills, and ultimately the spirit of a champion.
The bridge to success is then solidified with a millionaire’s mindset, representing financial and personal stability.
However, just like any structure, this mindset requires regular maintenance and reinforcement.
My Personal Journey
I used to struggle with managing my temper and competitiveness.
The first step in overcoming this challenge was releasing past anger.
Addressing my history allowed me to develop healthier emotional management skills.
While my temper still flares occasionally (as it does for everyone), I now have the tools to manage it effectively.
Without these tools and real life practice, I would not have reached my current level of emotional control.
The Call for Formal Mindset Training
Rather than creating more safe spaces, we should focus on formal training in mindset development.
Parents, educators, and individuals who want the best for themselves and their loved ones should prioritize structured training in emotional resilience and mental toughness.
By instilling strong habits, emotional regulation skills, and a positive attitude early on, we can shift the mindset that led to the creation of the derogatory term “snowflake.”
While my primary focus has been on teenagers, I also work with families and individual adults.
My recommendation is to start with my Mindset Transformation Training Package, which lays the groundwork for a thorough and complete mindset training curriculum. Find more about that here.
Once equipped with these skills, individuals will no longer need safe spaces.
Instead, they will seek out challenges, knowing that overcoming adversity is the key to developing the mindset of a champion.
