Every year, I encourage my students to make what I call "the choice." The choice means to dedicate yourself to becoming a quality student. When kids make the choice, they care more or work harder in school. When that happens, there is an almost immediate improvement in the quality of work the kids produce. When that happens, they begin to receive positive feedback from parents, teachers, peers, and even themselves. They notice they are doing better. When that happens, their confidence grows, and that causes them to take more pride in what they are doing. After that, the kids realize, Hey, I'm doing well. I can do better. I can expect more from myself. That causes them to develop higher personal standards. That's the key right there. That's the key moment. There are wonderful efforts from families to create high expectations, but by themselves, that's not going to get them where they want to go until the kids make those expectations personal. When they decide that they want to be the best of the best -- which is an expression that I use -- When they decide they want to do that, they follow that virtuous cycle and the steps repeat and go to higher and higher levels. So by encouraging kids, letting them know when they did a good job; and when they don't do the best job they can, we say, "Hey, we can do better here." Providing encouragement and also some tough love to get to some higher levels, always reaffirming the fact that we know they can do it if they work harder. Phrase it in those terms, then kids will make that choice and realize their potential.