3 Misconceptions About Growth Mindset

It Is More Than Just a Motivational Poster

I talk a lot about growth mindset.

I will continue to talk about it until the day I die.

That’s because growth mindset is the foundation for successful personal development.

A growth mindset is the most underestimated trait of anyone who has had great success.

Both personally, or professionally.

If it weren’t for a growth mindset, there is no chance I would have won the legal battle over the adoption of our daughter.

And I sure as heck would not have kept going as a content creator.

Think of anyone you look up to for something they have achieved.

If you look beneath the iceberg of success, you will see a growth mindset.

But what is it?

Growth Vs Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset, as explained by Carol Dweck, is the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence are static and unchangeable.

Beliefs such as “I am not musical, or I am not a writer.”

Whereas, a growth mindset thrives on challenge.

It sees failure as a powerful springboard for learning and stretching your current skill.

3 Things We Get Wrong About Growth Mindset

Carol Dweck, the pioneer of the whole concept, has identified three common misconceptions:

1. Simplicity: It is not a simple concept. We can’t just say it, or read it on a motivational poster. It takes some deep learning to implement, or teach. It is deep rooted in the psychology of challenge-seeking and resilience.
2. Implementation: It is not easy to teach, or to learn. It is a challenge to develop yourself, or pass this on to others. It takes a steady knowledge base combined with consistent, long term practice.
3. Relationship with Talent: Talent does exist. Nature, or nurture someone CAN be more “talented” than someone else. We can not dismiss the reality of talent. But skills can be developed, they can be improved and those less “talented” can catch up to many others.

Be Obsessed With The Power of “Yet”

Create a solid foundation by improving your mindset using the most valuable affirmation for learning and goal setting:

I am not there “yet”.

We must have the audacity to embrace challenges.

We have the option to view obstacles as as stepping stones to mastery.

Not impossible barriers to overcome.

The best way to remember this when times get tough, or when you’re not pushing yourself enough is with “the power of yet”.

It is a very simple, yet extremely transformative concept that turns “I can’t do this” into “I can’t do this yet.”

This tiny little language tweak signifies a journey of perseverance.

It also makes it very clear that we are going to do it. No questions asked.

We just aren’t there until we hurdle over each setback.

A Few More Ways To Build Your Growth Mindset

This is not a passive thing. Developing your mindset requires active cultivation.

A few things that can help are:

• Learn the actual knowledge and psychology behind the concept
• Identify an audacious, challenging, big dream
• Get support from a mentor who understands the concept on a deep level
• Set incremental goals on a roadmap for success
• Expect failure, struggle and challenges between milestones
• Seek feedback from trusted people
• Reflect on your experiences and celebrate overcoming challenges

Thanks for Reading,

Justin

If you like learning about content creation and using our creativity as a healing tool for anxiety, grief and loss, then be sure to join The Just Keep Learning Newsletter.