How do you cultivate a growth mindset and a sense of purpose in your work?

Many years ago I worked for someone who accused me of falsifying my resume because I had requested to attend a training conference. She said "You claimed to already have these skills, but the fact that you requested training indicates that you lied." We can never know all there is to know. We should constantly seek opportunities to improve, to grow, and take on new challenges. The more we know or can do, the more marketable we are in the workplace and the more resilient we are to face whatever life throws at us.

Viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and asking the question, what is the lesson for me here, is a great way to lean into a growth mindset. Recognizing disempowering self talk and trying reframing is another key thing that can help people develop a growth mindset.

A growth mindset is characterised by curiosity and teachability - a thirst for knowledge, inner expansion and self-improvement. It does not wallow in self-pity, complaining or playing the blame game but takes accountability and seeks solutions for more favourable outcomes. A growth mindset promotes a youthful spirit, flexibility, open-mindedness, creative problem-solving, resilience and a can-do attitude.

Cultivating a learning orientation involves adopting a growth mindset, setting measurable goals, seeking and embracing feedback, pursuing ongoing education, and creating a supportive environment. A structured action plan must be devised to achieve realistic yet ambitious objectives, with consistent practice and deliberate skill refinement. Regular reviews and assessments are essential to gauge progress and identify areas for improvement. Learning from failures and setbacks is crucial for resilience and adaptability. Integrating learning activities into daily routines reinforces a habit of continuous self-improvement. By adhering to these principles, individuals can achieve sustained personal growth and continual process enhancement.

Viktor Frankl, who wrote one of the most popular books of all time: Man’s Search for Meaning, based his theory, logotherapy, on the importance of infusing meaning into one’s life. Whatever your activities today, whether professional or at home, don’t underestimate the power of a smile. Simply smiling at someone or having a smile in your tone of voice on a call, can change someone’s day. I believe it’s up to us to create meaning in our lives. The first step to finding meaning is being kind. That includes self-compassion. The Buddha said two things to get you started: There is no one more deserving of compassion than you. There are only three important things in life: kindness, kindness, kindness.

A sense of purpose drives us. It is shaped by our values and what and who we value. It can be majestic and ambitious, such as a strong sense of calling - a pull towards a powerful mission and vision, spiritually or morally placed on our hearts - or bitesize, such as the resolve to intentionally add value to at least one person daily - leaving a note on the desk of a colleague that says, “I see you! Thank you for the value you bring!”, surprising a friend with a phone call, turning the spotlight on someone in your network, promoting a friend’s business without being asked.

Having a sense of purpose allows you to utilize the passion that you possess to contribute to society. A sense of purpose gives you the feeling of belonging.

Many of the problems we encounter, especially later in life - frustration that springs from a feeling of stagnation, of being stuck or worse still, trapped… or thrown off course by a life event beyond our control… happen because we have failed to attend to our growth and have coasted for too long without any real sense of direction. By attending to our personal growth and finding a purpose that aligns with our values - principles we deeply care about - we gain clarity, new skills, mental agility and emotional adaptability - and the self-belief and self-reliance to make courageous decisions that serve our purpose. Daily life becomes more fulfilling and rewarding and we feel better equipped to navigate challenges.

Reflecting on difficult or stressful times and considering what you learned, how you managed to cope and what skills helped you get through will help you to recognise your skills. These skills will be helpful to you when you face challenges in the future.

I love this. As perverse as this may sound, I love being wrong. Being wrong allows me to change my mind, which is very exciting. My thoughts can change. I can shift my perspective, even if it’s some thing I have believed for a long time. That experience of flexibility and growth reminds me I’m evolving until I drop the body.

Ask: Where am I at, at home and at work? How am I feeling? How healthy are my relationships? How healthy is my relationship to myself? Do I need to make changes? What is stopping me? Do I have blind spots - how can I find out? The answers will give you a starting point. Be intentional about growing and 100% committed. You may find core beliefs + habits challenged. You may have to form new neural pathways. You’ll need commitment to succeed. You don’t automatically grow by consuming books, podcasts, videos, taking notes but by reflection + application. Put yourself in a growth environment. Seek out others who are growing. Join a group or start one of your own! Find an accountability partner. Follow aligned pages or hashtags on LinkedIn.

The first step is to understand that we can develop and act, taking small steps to break some belief patterns. Among these steps, we can mention: - understand that we can develop: it is never too late to improve, our brain was made to learn and develop; - monitor negative thoughts: when you identify them, switch to a positive thought; - accept feedback: knowing exactly where we need to improve makes us more motivated; - leaving the comfort zone: involves daily effort and accepting challenges; - accept mistakes: we make mistakes and this will happen throughout your career. Therefore, you need to be open to improving more and more.

Start with your core values. Top 5. Non-negotiable. These are your prime motivators… the ones that drive you. First, check in with them. When was the last time you reviewed + refreshed them? Are they still your values? Do your thoughts, words + actions align with them or contradict them? Does your life reflect these values back? Ask: “What stories make me so sad I cry?” “What news items make me so angry I rant?” “What sparks my joy?” “What topics am I always posting about?” “If I could fix anything in the world this very minute what would I choose?” Analyse the answers. What themes do you find? Articulate each theme as a value. The clue to your purpose lies in your values - but first you need to know your values. YOUR values.

LINKEDIN GROUPS & CONNECTIONS (I will expand this when I have time!) The Brain Expansion Group Lee Tunney-Ware - Creator, The Subconscious Code Breaker Challenge RECOMMENDED READING: (A short selection!) Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn by John Maxwell (If you are interested in joining a mastermind group or undertaking private coaching or team coaching around the two aforementioned Maxwell resources, PM me). The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly PODCASTS: (A small selection - there are MANY! Just search!) Jocko Podcast Huberman Lab Hidden Brain The High Performance Podcast