What’s the growth mindset everybody is talking about?
The concept of a “growth mindset” has gained popularity in discussions related to psychology and social trends. Whether through TED talks, books, quizzes, or seminars, there is a growing interest in understanding what a growth mindset entails and how it can contribute to success. In essence, a growth mindset is characterized by an eagerness to take on challenges, viewing failures not as defining moments but as opportunities for personal and skill development. Individuals with a growth mindset believe that their intelligence and talents can be cultivated through effort and collaboration with others.
The origin of the term can be traced back to Dr. Carol Dweck, a researcher at Stanford University, who delved into the attitudes of students towards failure nearly 30 years ago. Through studying the behavior of students and children, the concept of a “growth mindset” emerged. In simple terms, having a growth mindset means having confidence in one’s ability to improve through hard work and the support of others. Dweck says, “This growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Although people may differ in every which way in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments, everyone can change and grow through application and experience.”
Where do you start? Here are eight simple steps that can help you:
- Listen to the mindset voice inside of you.
It’s important to listen to your internal mindset voice so you can truly discover what type of mindset you have. This is the first step to successfully changing your mindset.
2. Recognize that you have a choice.
You understand the mindset voice inside of you is telling you not to try, to protect yourself from failure. Now, the choice is up to you.
3. Talk back with a growth mindset voice.
Instead of falling for the fixed mindset voice, talk back to your internal dialogue with a new mindset. Say things like, “I’m not sure I can do it, but it will be worth it to try.” This new voice will help you drown out the fixed mindset voice that is crowding your thoughts and ambition.
4. Practice.
School is a great place for you to start to practice a mindset of growth. With new challenges around every corner, there’s many opportunities to thrive from setbacks and trials.
5. Find outside help.
Cultivating a growth mindset isn’t something that can be done alone. You’ll need outside help to offer encouragement and advice. As you listen to others with a positive mindset about your situations, you’ll start to say those things to yourself as well.
6. Stop seeking approval of others.
While you need outside help, you also need to stop worrying about the approval of others. Keep focusing on yourself and how you can grow, and stop worrying if others are looking at your progress. Chances are, nobody is.
7. Replace the word “failing” with “learning.”
As you come to recognize that failing is just a new way of learning, you’ll stop being so afraid of it. By embracing failure as an opportunity to continue learning and growing, you’ll be on your way to understanding what a growth mindset is really all about.
8. Take growth mindset action.
You need to follow through on the actions your new mindset voice tells you to take on. Sometimes, you may not succeed. But that’s ok. As you practice talking to yourself with a growth mindset, and follow through on the actions, you’ll cultivate the mindset of growth that you desire over time.