How do you develop a growth mindset? This is such a wonderful question and one that I wish I had the insight to ask many years ago.
Mindset is so important. It colours the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. It’s the single biggest influence on our happiness, motivation, actions and success.
What is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. People with a growth mindset tend to see challenges as opportunities for improvement. They’re willing to take risks, to persevere in the face of obstacles, and to fail on the path to success.
Contrastingly, someone with a fixed mindset (that’s the opposite of a growth mindset) believes that their talents are innate and can’t be substantially improved with effort. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges and fear negative feedback.
How to Develop a growth mindset
Developing a growth mindset is a lot like learning to keep your house clean.
You will likely start with a burst of enthusiasm and good intentions. You scrub the floors, tidy the cupboards and dust the shelves. Your house is sparkling clean and it feels wonderful.
But this is not enough! Soon, a little dust starts to settle, laundry piles up on the bedroom floor and dishes collect in the sink. Your success or failure now hinges on your next decision. Do you tidy the mess away?
Developing a growth mindset starts with learning, but learning alone is not enough. The secret to success is in the daily practice of reflecting on your mindset and intentionally keeping it in check.
Learn
The first step to develop a growth mindset is to learn about the concept.
Your initial burst of enthusiasm is incredible motivation! Use it to dive deep and get inspired.
You could start by watching this TED talk by Carol Dwek, a pioneering researcher in the field of motivation and positive psychology. She explains the concept of a growth mindset and its benefits.
Reflect
The second step is to get familiar with the contents of your mind.
Awareness is essential to understanding your current mindset. Try to keep tabs on your thoughts throughout the day and look for situations which trigger a fixed mindset response.
Consider a daily mindfulness practice. As little as ten minutes a day will allow you to see your thoughts more clearly, improve your focus and reduce your stress.
Practice
Now, when your catch yourself thinking with a fixed mindset, practice changing your internal dialogue.
Try writing in a journal. You can write about the situations where you would benefit from adopting a growth mindset. Write about how you responded to a situation and why. Then plan how you would like to respond net time.
Be Patient
At every step along the way, be patient and try not to be hard on yourself. These changes take time and are a lifelong practice.
Why Develop a Growth Mindset?
Developing a growth mindset allows you to experience your mind at its best. The daily practice of overcoming challenges, stretching your comfort zone and continuously learning is immensely fulfillingIt is a practice that, little by little, reduces the distance between the person that you are today and the person that you want to be.
It’s hard work, but I hope these simple steps inspire you to invest a little time each day in developing your mindset. With small, consistent steps you will see big results!
Why would you like to develop a growth mindset? Let me know in the comments below!
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