STRENGTHEN YOUR 3-LEGGED STOOL

Introduction: Did you know your brain is a goal-seeking supercomputer?

What you focus on becomes your target. Your past experiences shape your journey. And when things don’t go as planned, your brain recalibrates and adjusts. We call this Guided-Missile Thinking!

This isn’t just a cool idea—it’s part of the Fleischer Scholars model, and it’s how high-achieving students like you can stay on track, even when the path gets bumpy.

What’s the 3-Legged Stool?

1. Empiricism = Learn from experience. What’s worked—and what hasn’t—gives you valuable insight.

2. Missile = Lock onto your goal. The more clearly you define your target, the more likely you are to hit it.

3. Servo-Mechanism = Course-correct as you go. If something’s not working, don’t give up—adjust.

Together, these 3 "legs" form a strong foundation for how you think, grow, and take action.

Before you begin, watch this: Fleischer Scholars Model: Three-Legged Stool and view our graphic depicting the model.

Your Task: Activate Your 3-Legged Stool

Choose one of the activities to demonstrate how you will apply the 3-legged stool method to your life:

OPTION 1 - Record yourself answering these three questions out loud:

1. Empiricism: What’s one experience that shaped how you think or act today?

2. Missile: What’s one goal you're aiming for right now?

3. Servo-Mechanism: What’s one way you’ve adjusted or learned from a mistake recently that will help you attack this goal?

4. How can you use this model as you work toward your academic, college, or career goals? 
   

OPTION 2 - Create a collage representing each leg of your stool:

1. Empiricism: a photo or icon of a key experience

2. Servo-Mechanism: something that symbolizes growth or resilience

3. Missile: an image that represents a goal you’re working toward

4. Impact: an image that depicts how this model can help you as you work toward your academic, college, or career goals

BONUS: Save your response in the notes on your phone to revisit later when you are trying to overcome a challenge or reach a goal. It will serve as a great reminder of how far you’ve come and where you're heading!

Submit Your Response: Upload your audio or image file, or paste a link to a shared Google Slide or Canva graphic.