Cultivating the growth mindset
“Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better? Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? Why look for friends or partners who will just shore up your self-esteem instead of ones who will also challenge you to grow? And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you? The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”- Carol Dweck from her book (Mindset: The new psychology of success)
A growth mindset is a way of thinking where you believe that with effort and learning, you can make yourself better at things, like getting smarter and more skilled. It’s like when you face hard stuff, you don’t get scared; instead, you think of them as chances to become even better. So, as long as you keep trying, working hard, and learning, you can make progress from where you are today. It’s all about saying, “I can do better if I don’t give up.” This mindset helps you keep improving in lots of areas of your life, whether it’s at school, work, or just doing things you love.
Becoming is better than being. - Carol Dweck
Integrating a growth mindset into our daily routines can have a profound impact on how we think and tackle problems. It makes us more open to challenges, encourages us to invest extra effort and stay persistent in what we’re passionate about. It steers us toward learning and personal growth, enhances our adaptability to different situations, and makes us willing to embrace change when needed. Overall, applying a growth mindset helps us become better problem solvers and more flexible and resilient individuals in our everyday lives.
“I don’t mind losing as long as I see improvement, or I feel I’ve done as well as I possibly could.” - Carol Dweck
Developing a growth mindset usually means putting in some effort and being aware of it. Some folks might naturally have it, but for many, it takes work. You can start by questioning your own beliefs, learning more about what a growth mindset is, and paying attention to how you think. Also, figure out where you stand right now, whether you tend to have a fixed or growth mindset. It’s all about being mindful and taking steps to change the way you think and approach things.
“This is something I know for a fact: You have to work hardest for the things you love most.”- Carol Dweck
A growth mindset and a fixed mindset each have their merits and are suitable for different scenarios. A growth mindset excels in promoting learning, resilience, and adaptability, making it invaluable for situations that require skill development, problem-solving, or navigating change. On the other hand, a fixed mindset can offer stability and confidence in areas where one already excels, proving useful in contexts where consistency and expertise are paramount. In practice, individuals often employ a mix of both mindsets depending on the circumstances. The key is recognizing when to adopt each mindset strategically, striving for a balanced approach that harnesses the strengths of both for well-rounded personal and professional growth.
“We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes who were born different from us. We don’t like to think of them as relatively ordinary people who made themselves extraordinary.” — Carol Dweck
A growth mindset is like thinking that you can get better at things if you try. It helps you when things don’t go well because you see mistakes as chances to learn. This mindset makes you want to work hard and keeps you from being afraid of tough things. You also become good at solving problems and can adjust when things change. You don’t get too scared of failing, and you feel good about yourself. People like you because you’re supportive, and you do well in different parts of your life, like school . Overall, having a growth mindset is a great way to do better and be happier.
