Ready. Set. Grow!

Is your glass always half full?

Do you always see the good people?

Can you actually be to positive?

The power of positive thinking has been studied for decades and specifically the concept of mindset. Two primary mindset types identified: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. While both mindsets are prevalent in society, individuals who possess a growth mindset tend to achieve greater success and overall well-being than those with a fixed mindset.?

What's the difference?

A fixed mindset is characterized by the belief that abilities and traits are predetermined and unchangeable. Individuals with a fixed mindset may view failure as evidence of their lack of ability, leading to a fear of taking risks and a tendency to give up easily. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe that abilities and traits can be developed through effort and learning. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, leading to a willingness to take risks and persist in the face of challenges.?

Are there benefits to a growth mindset?

The benefits can begin from an early age. In a study published in the journal Child Development, researchers found that students who were taught to adopt a growth mindset showed an increase in math grades by an average of one-third of a letter grade. Students who were taught a fixed mindset showed a decrease in math grades by an average of one-third of a letter grade.?Stanford University researchers found that students who were taught to adopt a growth mindset were more likely to stay enrolled in college than those with a fixed mindset.?

People with a growth mindset are more successful throughout their careers. A survey conducted by LinkedIn found that 90% of hiring managers agreed that a candidate's mindset was an important factor when considering them for a job. Specifically, 82% of hiring managers said they were more likely to hire someone with a growth mindset over someone with a fixed mindset.?According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, individuals who had a growth mindset were more likely to receive a promotion at work than those with a fixed mindset. Specifically, those with a growth mindset were 33% more likely to receive a promotion than those with a fixed mindset.?

In addition, there have been numerous studies published with measurable positive results for professionals with a growth mindset:

Which one are you?

Assessing whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset can help you understand how you approach challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Here are some ways to assess your mindset.?

1. Reflect on your beliefs about intelligence and ability: People with a fixed mindset tend to believe that intelligence and ability are innate traits that cannot be changed, while people with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and ability can be developed through effort and learning. Consider whether you tend to view your skills and abilities as fixed or something that can be improved with effort.
2. Consider how you respond to failure and setbacks: People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid failure and view it as evidence of their lack of ability, while people with a growth mindset see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on how you respond to setbacks and whether you tend to give up easily or persist in the face of challenges.
3. Evaluate how you approach new experiences and challenges: People with a growth mindset tend to embrace new experiences and challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, while people with a fixed mindset may shy away from new experiences or challenges that they perceive as threatening to their self-concept. Consider how you approach new challenges and whether you tend to seek out opportunities for growth and development.
4. Ask for feedback: Ask friends, family, or colleagues for feedback on your mindset. This can help you understand how you are perceived by others and identify areas where you may need to shift your mindset to a more growth-oriented approach.?

How can you build a growth mindset?

Developing a growth mindset involves shifting your beliefs about intelligence, ability, and personal growth.?Developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process that takes time and effort. By adopting a growth-oriented approach to your personal and professional development, you can unlock your potential for learning and growth and achieve your goals. There are specific things you can do to shift away from a fixed mindset and develop a growth mindset. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Embrace challenges: Seek out new challenges and experiences that allow you to learn and grow. Instead of avoiding challenges, approach them as opportunities for growth and learning.
• Reframe your beliefs: Challenge your fixed beliefs by reminding yourself that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Focus on the progress you've made rather than fixed traits like talent or intelligence.
• Practice self-awareness: Pay attention to your thoughts and beliefs about yourself. Notice when you're having negative thoughts about your abilities or potential and try to reframe them in a more positive light. Practice positive self-talk and focus on your strengths and potential. Recognize that your abilities can grow and develop with effort and learning.?
• Cultivate a learning-oriented mindset: Approach new experiences with curiosity and an open mind. Ask questions, seek out feedback, and be willing to learn from mistakes.
• Focus on the process: Instead of fixating on the outcome, focus on the process of learning and growth. Celebrate small wins and progress along the way, and use setbacks as opportunities to learn and adjust your approach.
• Surround yourself with growth-oriented people: Seek out mentors, colleagues, and friends who have a growth mindset and can support and encourage you in your efforts to develop a growth mindset.?

The Power of Not Yet

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) can be an effective tool for helping individuals develop a growth mindset. Here are a few examples of CBT techniques that may be used in this context:

Reframing: Reframing is a technique that involves changing the way a person thinks about a situation. In the context of developing a growth mindset, this may involve reframing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as indicators of personal inadequacy.

Cognitive restructuring: Cognitive restructuring is a technique that involves challenging and changing negative or unhelpful thoughts. In the context of developing a growth mindset, this may involve identifying and challenging fixed mindset beliefs, such as the belief that intelligence is fixed and cannot be developed.

Behavioral experiments: Behavioral experiments are activities that are designed to test a person's beliefs and assumptions. In the context of developing a growth mindset, this may involve engaging in activities that challenge fixed mindset beliefs, such as learning a new skill or taking on a challenging task.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a technique that involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. In the context of developing a growth mindset, mindfulness may be used to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and beliefs, and to cultivate a more open and accepting attitude towards themselves and their experiences.?

What's next?

It is really over to you. Adopting or elevating your growth mindset is a personal journey. Take one or two of the techniques described above and challenge yourself to practice them over the next two weeks. Then, take a pause and reflect on what you've experienced. The mind is a wonderful thing and a growth mindset is a tremendous opportunity.