How to build a growth mindset is an important topic that everyone of us must aspire to learn. I always like to say this, ‘that everything we have achieved in this life have their origin in our minds”. So, the mind is sine qua non to every human who wish to grow and become successful in life. This means that the kind of mindset one possesses will determine how far one can go in life.
Building a growth mindset is like sowing a seed for lifelong learning, resilience and success. Building a growth mindset is a choice; a personal decision to perceive challenges as opportunities to grow and not obstacles to avoid. The other kind of mindset is the fixed mindset, which limits human potential by believing that talent and intelligence are fixed or static. Growth mindset believes that abilities and skills can develop overtime with effort and commitment. In this article we will break down what a growth mindset is, the importance of growth mindset. Also included is the practical step to build growth mindset.
1) What is growth mindset?
According to Dr. Carol Dweck, a psychologist, growth mindset is the belief that one’s talents, abilities and intelligence are not fixed traits. Rather, they can be developed through hard work, persistence and learning. Those who possess growth mindset perceive setbacks as opportunities to grow, while people with fixed or static mindset perceive them as sign of limitations.
For instance
Growth mindset says: “I am not great at this…..yet! but with practice, I will improve”.
Fixed mindset says: I am not good at this, so there is no point in trying”. The truth is that when you perceive challenges as stepping stone rather than roadblocks, you empower yourself to push yourself through hard times or setbacks and strive for success.
2) The importance of growth mindset
When you have a growth mindset, it transforms how you handle your goals, learning, relationships and even your sense of self. Below are few importance of having a growth mindset:
I. Enhancing learning: A growth mindset builds curiosity and love for learning. When you believe that you can grow and develop, it’s more likely that you seek new knowledge and skills.
II.Boosting resilience: Those with growth mindset are more likely to rise above failures or setbacks. They don’t let failure define who they are rather they use them as learning experiences. When a person posses resilience mindset, it fuels his courage to take on new challenges.
III. Improving relationships: When relationships are viewed through a growth lens, it allows us to accept differences, bridge communication gaps, and seek understanding. Growth mindset enables stronger bonds and healthier relationships.
IV. Expanding career success: These days, a lot of employers now look for and recognize the value of growth mindset in their teams. Growth mindset shows you are open to learning, adapting and handling challenges, which can always separate you as a valuable asset in any organization.
3) Steps to cultivating a growth mindset
Cultivating a growth mindset takes effort, but every step is an investment in a brighter and more resilient future. Below are steps to cultivate growth mindset:
Step 1: Recognize and challenge your fixed mindset
The first thing to do is to identify areas where you tend to think in fixed terms. Notice thoughts like:
“I will never be good at this.”
“I am just not talented in this area.”
Each time these thoughts surface in your mind, question their validity. Can you prove that you are incapable of improvement? There is probability that you will find that with constant practice; effort, and time, growth is always possible.
Step 2: Embrace challenges and step out of your comfort zone
It’s a known fact that a growth mindset thrives on challenges. Each time you step out of your comfort zone, you are creating chances for growth. Set small challenges for yourself that would break your limitations and build confidence. The most important thing here is not to shy away from difficulties but to see them as training grounds for your future abilities.
Step 3: Focus on learning over outcomes
When you focus your attention on learning rather than just the outcome, every experience becomes valuable. This kind of mindset takes the pressure off “winning” and makes each step forward feel rewarding.
For instance:
Rather than thinking, “I have to pass this test, try, “I want to understand this material better.”
Rather than, “I need to get promoted, think, I want to gain skills that will make me more proficient”
The focus will make the journey itself more fulfilling and rewarding.
Step 4: Practice self-love
Cultivating growth mindset does not mean expecting to be perfect. Self-love means treating yourself kindly, especially when you fall short of your own expectations. Instead of criticizing yourself destructively, ask
- “What can I lean form this?”
- “How can I approach this differently next time?”
It is imperative to note here that growth mindset is about making progress not about perfectionism, and being kind to yourself is important for sustainable growth in one’s life.
Step 5: Use the power of “yet”
When you encounter any challenge, add “yet” to the statement about you capability. For instance:
- “I don’t know how to do this….”yet”
- “I am not good at this skill…”yet”
This single word is capable of transforming how you approach learning. It reinforces the idea that skills are acquired over time and keeps you open to improvement.
4) Overcoming common obstacles
It cannot be emphasized enough that every journey to success has lots of bumps along the way, and cultivating a growth mindset is necessary in order to navigate the success terrain. Below are a few obstacles you may encounter on the way and tips to overcome them.
- Fear of failure: You see, fear of failure can paralyze any one, however, remember that failure is a stepping stone to a great success. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new. When you embrace failure, you take away its power to hold you to ransom.
- Comparing yourself with others: It’s very easy to look at others and feel discouraged. However, remember that everyone’s path is distinct from others. So, rather than comparing your progress to that of others, compare it to your own past self. Focus on your own growth and celebrate how far you have come
III. Impatience with the process: Every successful person would always tell you that growth takes time and some time it can feel slow. Practice patience and remind yourself that progress, no matter how tiny is still progress.
Recommended: How to Set Boundaries And Get People to Respect Them
5) Daily habits that strengthen a growth mindset
For you to truly develop growth mindset, it’s important to create certain daily habits to improve your life. These habits help reinforce a growth-minded approach, even on tough days. Below are the habits:
- Reflect daily: Spend some minutes each day thinking of what you have learned. This could be something new you have learnt, a skill you’re working on, or a mindset shift you made. Reflecting helps you see progress and reinforces your commitment to growth.
- Set small, achievable goals: Setting and cutting your goals into manageable sizes builds momentum. For instance, if you want to improve public speaking skills, start by practicing in front of mirror or with a friend before facing larger audience.
- Embrace feedback: Feedback is known to be a very great tool for growth. Rather than seeing it as criticism, see it as an avenue for improvement. Ask for feedback from people you trust, and use it as fuel for development.
- Surround yourself with growth-minded people: “Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are” is a saying that clearly depicts the importance of association in our lives. The company you keep matters a lot. Keep company with people who inspire, support and encourage your growth. Positive influences can push you to keep pushing forward irrespective of the setback you face in your journey.
6) Growth mindset in relationship and work
Growth mindset isn’t just a personal thing; it’s valuable in relationships and the workplaces too.
- Growth mindset in relationships: When you have a growth mindset, you can see relationship as opportunities for mutual growth. This perspective allows you to address conflicts as an opportunity to learn about each other, communicate better, and reinforce the bond.
- Growth mindset at work: In a work setting or workplace, a growth mindset enables you to tackle new tasks, embrace challenges, and view setbacks as learning experiences. This can result to professional development and great job satisfaction. Normally, managers often value employees with a growth mindset for their resilience, adaptability, and commitment to personal development.
At this point, in order to deepen your understanding and practice a growth mindset, here are some inspiring book and resources
- Mindset: The new psychology of success by Carol S. Dweck
- Grit: The power of passion and perseverance by Angela Duckworth
- Atomic habits: An easy and proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
In conclusion, developing a growth mindset is one of the most powerful investments you can make in yourself. Growth mindset enables you to view challenges as opportunities, failure as lessons and goals as journey and thereby helping you to unlock the potentials to continually learn, grow and improve. Begin today by taking on small actions that spurs you beyond your comfort zone.
