Growth Mindset - Chinn Up! - May 2, 2024

Hi everyone! Thanks for joining me for another edition of this newsletter. I am a career and leadership coach on a mission to help others level up their careers - and lives - with practical (and empathetic) advice on navigating challenges in and out of the workplace.

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I'm so excited about today's question because it touches on one of my favorite subjects- building a growth mindset!:

Hi Brett,

This isn't a situational question, but I hope you can answer it since you've talked about mindset in the past.

I've been seeing a lot of people post about "growth mindset." It seems like a fancy way of saying you should "think positive" or try harder than everyone else, but that doesn't resonate with me.

Why do you think that it's important to have a growth mindset? And what does it truly mean to have one in the first place? Can it really help me get promoted or be more successful or is this a bunch of toxic positivity?

Thanks,

HG

Hi HG,

Great questions! This is one of my favorite things to talk about and something that I help every single one of my clients with.

A growth mindset is a lot more than just thinking positively or trying hard; it's about believing your abilities can improve with effort and dedication. It's the opposite of a fixed mindset, which views intelligence and talent as set in stone.

How do you know if you have a fixed or growth mindset? Well here are some signs of both:

Fixed mindset people avoid challenges because they see them as opportunities to fail. They fear rejection and may constantly seek approval from others. This leads to lower self-esteem and can hinder them from pursuing new opportunities or advocating for themselves.

People with a growth mindset welcome challenges because they see them as opportunities to grow. Even if they "fail," they celebrate the fact that they have stepped outside their comfort zone, which is a success in and of itself. These people love learning and bounce back easily from setbacks, leading to success in a constantly evolving workplace (and world).

To sum it up: People with a fixed mindset believe this is an unfriendly universe, and people with a growth mindset believe it is a friendly one. In either case, they are proven right because our beliefs dictate our actions which, in turn, are reflected back to us via our perceived reality.

That, my dear, is why it is important to cultivate a growth mindset. Because who doesn't want to live in a world where they are welcoming more success, more opportunity, and more fulfillment overall?

It's not easy to adopt, but through recognizing any "fixed" tendencies and actively choosing a growth mindset, you can unlock new possibilities. Here's a couple of ways to get started:

1. Rethink Your Self-Talk: Notice your inner voice. When faced with a difficulty, do you hear "I can't do this" or "I'm not good at this"? Challenge those thoughts! Replace them with affirmations like "This is a chance to learn" or "With effort, I can improve."
2. Celebrate Effort Over Outcome: Shift your focus from simply achieving success to appreciating the effort you put in. Did you try something new? Make it through a tough day? Acknowledge each and every win!
3. Embrace Challenges: Don't shy away from difficult tasks. See them as opportunities to stretch and learn new things. It might feel scary, but stepping outside your comfort zone is a key ingredient in growth.
4. Learn from Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes. Instead of dwelling on them, view them as valuable lessons. Analyze what went wrong and use that knowledge to improve next time.
5. Celebrate Others' Success: Seeing others thrive shouldn't be discouraging. Instead, view it as inspiration. Learn from their achievements and use them to motivate your own journey.

Remember, developing a growth mindset takes time and consistent effort, like going to the "mental" gym! But Chinn up! You can do this. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way. By making a conscious effort, you can actively shift your perspective and achieve greater success in all aspects of your life!

Want me to answer your question in a future edition? Drop your conundrum in the comments, send it to me via DM, or email me ([email protected] ). Interested in my 1:1 coaching services? Book a (free) intro call here .