Encouraging users

Imagine that you're teaching a user how to use your product's dashboard. You want to avoid anything that'll negatively set expectations that it's hard.

Instead, proactively encourage them with positive reinforcement.

e.g., "You'll be a Built for Mars Pro in no time, it's easier than learning to use Microsoft Teams".

Reframing the 'loss'

If the user is performing badly, telling them their 'true' results may be seen as broadcasting the expectation that they can't do well in the task.

Duolingo offset this brilliantly, by reframing incorrect answers in a streak as "still learning".

It allows the user to have the perception that they're making progress, without giving the performance-altering evaluation that they're not doing well.