How To Develop A Growth Mindset ?

Introduction

Can you relate to any of the comments above??

All of these statements have something in common. They are based on the belief that talent is innate. When you say that something?“just isn’t your thing”?or you’re not an?“X kind of person,”?you’re suggesting that certain people are naturally good or bad at particular skills—and there’s not a lot that you can do about it.?

While this?“you either have it, or you don’t”?mentality may seem harmless—or even true to your experiences—it may also be holding you back. That’s why this lesson will teach you a new approach to understanding how people develop their skills and strengths.?

First, you’ll learn how to tell the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. You’ll then explore why a growth mindset can help you become more resilient and advance your skills or career. Finally, you’ll take away practical tips for developing a growth mindset at work.

Mindset Matters

This lesson will explore two types of mindsets: a?fixed mindset?and a?growth mindset.?Both are different sets of attitudes and beliefs about how people develop their intelligence or ability.?

Mindset matters. Beliefs shape reality. For example, if you believe that a goal is impossible, you’re less likely to attempt it. But if you believe that a goal is possible—though it might take a lot of hard work—then you’re more likely to prepare yourself and give it a try.

What’s a Fixed Mindset?

With this in mind, people with a?fixed mindset?believe that their basic intelligence, abilities, and talents are relatively fixed traits. Our skills are set in stone. Trying to change or work against your natural strengths and weaknesses is like swimming upstream—you aren’t going to get anywhere. You either have it, or you don’t. There’s not much you can do to change it.?

Following are expressions that you might hear from a person who has a fixed mindset:

• “I’m not a natural X.”
• “I’ve always been good/bad at X.”
• “I’ve accepted that I’ll never be X.”
• “I’m not an X person.”
• “X just isn’t my thing.”
• “I can’t do X.”

People with a fixed mindset believe that a person’s talents and intelligence are traits that you’re born with—no different than a person’s eye color. You either have blue eyes or brown eyes—you’re either good at something, or you’re not—and there’s not much you can do about it.

What’s a Growth Mindset?

In contrast, people with a?growth mindset?believe that intelligence, abilities, and talents are cultivated. They believe they can become smarter, more skilled, or more capable through time and effort. Skills are not set in stone—they’re more malleable, like clay. Expertise is developed. What you’re good at reflects where you’ve invested your time and energy.?

Following are expressions that you might hear from a person who has a growth mindset:

• “I bet I can figure it out.”
• “I just need to practice.”
• “I’ll do better next time.”
• “Let me try a different way.”
• “What am I missing?”
• “How can I improve?”
• “What can I do differently?”
• “I’m not there yet—but I’m getting better.”

People with a growth mindset believe that the brain is like a muscle that can be trained. Talent can be developed through practice and exercise.

Differences Between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset

Having a fixed mindset or a growth mindset changes the way people think about and respond to challenges, obstacles, effort, criticism, and even the success of others. Click on each topic to contrast the differences between these two mindsets:

Challenges

People with a?fixed?mindset?are more likely to avoid challenges. They’d prefer to stick to things they know and are good at, rather than risk failure.

People with a?growth?mindset?are more likely to embrace challenges and find them exciting. They see challenges as opportunities to improve and develop their skills. They know that they can become stronger by challenging themselves.

Obstacles

People with a?fixed mindset?are more likely to give up in the face of obstacles. They may believe that there’s nothing they can do to overcome the obstacle or change their situation.?

People with a?growth mindset?are more likely to persist in the face of obstacles. Setbacks are only a speed bump on their greater journey. They use obstacles as a way to learn, change their approach, or try harder.?

Effort

People with a?fixed mindset?are less likely to put forth the extra effort. If talent and intelligence are innate, then trying harder at something you’re not good at may be seen as fruitless or pointless.?

People with a?growth mindset?believe that time and effort are the keys to mastery. Investing extra time and energy into a pursuit will reward them with better results. Expertise and skill come from devoting enough time and effort.?

Criticism

People with a?fixed mindset?are more likely to avoid criticism, ignore it, or react negatively to it. They see criticism of their work as an attack on their capabilities or who they are as a person.?

People with a?growth mindset?are more likely to seek out and embrace criticism. Constructive feedback is viewed as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop their skills. Criticism isn’t taken personally, and it only reflects their current abilities—not their potential.?

Success of Others

People with a?fixed mindset?are more likely to feel threatened by others’ success. They compare themselves to others, and it may make them feel bad about their own abilities or resentful of others’ abilities. Others’ success may be seen as unfair or lucky.?

People with a?growth mindset?are more likely to celebrate others’ success and be inspired by it. They evaluate and learn from what other people are doing right, and may even seek mentorship or guidance from them. With time and effort, they know they can achieve that success, too.?

Why a Growth Mindset Benefits You and Your Team

Seeing how the two mindsets approach challenges, obstacles, effort, criticism, and the success of others should start to show you why developing a growth mindset is more beneficial to you and your team. A fixed mindset limits your potential, whereas a growth mindset maximizes it.?

More specifically, a growth mindset helps you and your team in the following ways:

1. Boost morale and motivation.?Be kinder to yourself. A growth mindset accepts your mistakes and shortcomings as temporary or necessary steps to improvement. It says,?“I’m not there yet, but I know that with practice and effort, I can get there.”
2. Set (and achieve!) bigger goals.?You limit yourself when you set rigid labels on who you are and what you can and can’t do. Think outside of your own box. Set bigger goals for yourself to achieve them.
3. Stretch your skills.?Finally, when you adopt a growth mindset, you’re more likely to try harder and be more willing to stretch and challenge your skills.?

How Do I Develop a Growth Mindset?

It’s okay if you identify with a fixed mindset more than a growth mindset right now. There are strategies you can use to make the shift. Click on the tabs below to learn how to develop a growth mindset:

Notice and Challenge Your Assumptions

You have to be aware of your underlying beliefs and assumptions to change them. Think about what assumptions you make about your skills, talents, and intelligence:

• What do you think you’re inherently bad at??
• What do you think you’re inherently good at??
• Why do you feel that way??

Then, challenge your assumptions. Is it possible that you’re best at the things you put the most time and effort into??

Nix the Negative Self-Talk?

People with a fixed mindset often suffer from negative self-talk. They tell themselves that they?“can’t.”?They insult or berate themselves. They don’t practice kindness or forgiveness over their own shortcomings and mistakes. Pay attention to the voice inside your head. What are you telling yourself and how could you replace the negative self-talk with a positive affirmation? For example:

• Instead of saying,?“I can’t,”?ask yourself,?“What am I missing?”?or?“What could I do differently?”
• Instead of saying,?“I’m terrible at X,”?tell yourself,?“I could use more practice.”
• Instead of kicking yourself over a mistake, think about what you can learn from it and tell yourself,?“This is a learning opportunity. I’ll do better next time.”
• Instead of saying,?“I give up,”?tell yourself,?“I can try again.”

Track Your Progress

Another way to boost your confidence is to track your progress over time. Ask yourself questions like:

• Where was I one year ago, three years ago, and five years ago??
• How have my skills changed and developed over time?
• What do I know how to do now that I didn’t know how to do then?
• What do I have more expertise in now that I didn’t have then?

Reflecting on how you’ve changed and progressed over time can help you believe that skills are cultivated.?

Value Learning More Than Succeeding

People with a growth mindset see every challenge, setback, and failure as a learning opportunity. So, one strategy to shift your mindset is to value learning more than succeeding. Instead of focusing on negative feedback as a sign of failure, value it as an opportunity for development. Instead of worrying about whether or not you’ll fail at a task, think about how it might help you grow.?

Try It Anyway

Finally, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Even if you don’t yet believe that you can develop your intelligence or talents—try it anyway. Start small, and begin taking on new challenges. Prove yourself wrong.?

Summary

Developing a growth mindset means adopting the belief that our talents and intelligence are cultivated—not fixed at birth.

With time and effort, we have the potential to change, improve, and grow.

Make a conscious effort to ditch negative or limiting self-talk about who you aren’t, what you can’t do, and what you haven’t been able to accomplish in the past.

Your current ability isn’t the same as your long-term potential.

Seek feedback, embrace new challenges, and track your progress.

Learn from others’ success as well as your own mistakes.

You either have it, or you can develop it with enough time, practice, and training.

Clarification!?A growth mindset doesn’t mean that you believe you’ll be the next Einstein. It also doesn’t mean that you ignore your or others’ strengths. It does mean that you believe you can improve at something if you want to and put in the necessary work.?

Want to know how to make a successful career transition? click here

Please do subscribe to my newsletter for daily motivation and tips to help you fast track your career....