Layla's Story: Breaking Big Problems into Small Wins
by Prenicia Clifton
Diane the Determined: Layla’s Story – Breaking Big Problems into Small Wins
A Brain Superhero Story of Perseverance, Confidence, and the Power of Small Steps
What happens when school feels overwhelming and every assignment feels too big to handle? Meet Layla, a middle school student who wants to succeed but feels stuck under the pressure of math tests, science projects, and growing self-doubt. The harder she tries, the more frustrated she becomes—until a steady, powerful brain superhero appears right when she needs her most.
Enter Diane the Determined, a calm and confident superhero with a golden anchor shining on her chest—a symbol of strength, stability, and persistence. Diane doesn’t give Layla the answers. Instead, she becomes her invisible guide, teaching her how to slow down, manage pressure, and break overwhelming challenges into smaller, achievable steps. With Diane’s encouragement, Layla begins to realize that determination isn’t about being perfect—it’s about keeping going.
Through Layla’s journey, readers learn how to:
Break big academic challenges into small, manageable wins
Manage frustration, stress, and self-doubt
Stay focused and organized during tests and projects
Learn from mistakes instead of giving up
Build confidence through effort, not perfection
As Layla applies these strategies, her mindset begins to shift. Math problems become solvable. Science projects feel possible. What once felt impossible turns into proof that she is capable after all. This story transforms moments of frustration into opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-belief.
🌟 Why This Book Matters
Diane the Determined: Layla’s Story – Breaking Big Problems into Small Wins is more than a story—it’s a practical, empowering SEL tool for middle school students navigating academic pressure and confidence challenges. Paired with a guided reflection journal, this book helps students apply what Layla learns directly to their own lives, making it ideal for classrooms, youth programs, counseling settings, and home use.
It directly supports the development of:
Perseverance and resilience
Emotional regulation and stress management
Executive functioning and task organization
Growth mindset and self-confidence
Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills
💬 Key Message
“Big problems don’t disappear—but you can face them one small step at a time.” —Diane the Determined
📚 Ideal For
Middle school students (grades 6–8)
Educators teaching SEL, math confidence, or academic resilience
School counselors and mental health professionals
Parents and caregivers supporting overwhelmed learners
Youth empowerment programs, tutoring programs, and OST spaces
Bring Diane the Determined into your school or youth program and help students discover that determination isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, one small win at a time.
Prenicia Clifton is an empathetic, engaged, and analytical leader who believes that the heart and mind should lead together. She integrates emotional intelligence with strategic thinking, approaching leadership with both compassion and intentionality. Her core values—wellness, safety, and resilience—are foundational to how she builds teams, cultivates culture, and drives meaningful impact. Prenicia’s physical and mental health disabilities have profoundly shaped her leadership journey. Living with chronic pain and navigating mental health challenges has given her a deeper capacity for empathy, patience, and perspective. These experiences have framed her understanding of strength—not as perfection or performance, but as the ability to lead authentically, adapt with grace, and uplift others while honoring one’s own limitations. Rather than seeing her conditions as barriers, Prenicia views them as gifts that ground her leadership in humanity and humility. They’ve taught her to prioritize wellness in her work, create inclusive spaces, and lead with vulnerability and courage. Her lived experience allows her to connect meaningfully with others, advocate for equity with conviction, and remain resilient in the face of adversity. As a leader, Prenicia is committed to collaboration over control, growth over perfection, and authenticity over image. She brings a future-focused mindset, ensuring that every decision contributes to a culture of equity, belonging, and sustainability. Her leadership is not just about reaching goals—it’s about transforming systems through intention, care, and connection.
The Brain Superheroes are a powerful group of heroes who help children understand and strengthen their mental health, emotional resilience, and self-confidence. Each superhero represents important life skills and emotional tools that empower young people to face life's challenges. Among them are heroes like Monica of Mindfulness, who teaches the power of being present; Victor the Voice, who encourages speaking up against bullying; Phoenix the Fearless, who guides youth through facing fears; and Shekinah, Princess of Glory and Hope, who inspires bravery and optimism.
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by Prenicia E Clifton