Do You Have A Growth Mindset?

Growth: the process of growing, progressive development

Mindset: a mental attitude or inclination

OK, quick test…do you identify with the first or second part of the five questions below?

• Do you embrace challenges or avoid challenges?
• Are you excited to try new things or fear failing so don’t even try?
• Do you work towards success in a career or see work as simply a way to earn money?
• Do you see failure as a minor setback or failure as the end of something?
• Do you use feedback to improve or see feedback as criticism?

If you identify with the first part of the questions above, chances are you have a Growth Mindset and if you relate more to the second part, you likely have a Fixed Mindset. 

Those with growth mindsets tend to see abilities, talents, and even intelligence as something you can continuously improve through hard work and practice. On the contrary, those with a fixed mindset see those same traits as fixed and unchangeable. 

Dr. Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, first introduced the concept of a growth mindset in her 2006 book, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” Dweck says, “For 30 years, my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.” For those of us with a growth mindset, we tend to look at challenges as exciting, failures as just a bump in the road, and constructive feedback as something that provides us with guidance and helps us continuously improve.

Another big part of a growth mindset is using the word “yet”. This three letter word is powerful and can absolutely change the way you think about your life. Instead of saying, “I don’t understand that”, change it to, “I don’t understand that yet.” Rather than telling yourself, “My business idea sucks” you can change the narrative in your mind by saying, “My business idea isn’t working just yet.” We’ll talk more about this transformative word in a moment.

In researching this post, I found five ideas that can have the most impact for those of us in business, to develop a growth mindset:

1. Cultivate curiosity: The “they people” say curiosity killed the cat, but in humans, curiosity is what keeps us engaged and moving forward. It’s what all the great inventors and entrepreneurs use to motivate themselves to fulfill their dreams. Studies show curiosity and creativity go hand-in-hand and keep you open to new ideas and information. Peter Drucker, the instigator of modern management, sharpened his sense of curiosity by remaining open to new ideas and information. Keep an open mind, be curious, and your life will be filled with wonder.

2. Incorporate the word “yet” into your vocabulary: As mentioned, using this simple word opens your mind up to looking at new ideas and alternatives. It pushes you to keep going and to reject the fatalistic attitude so many of us can fall into when things aren’t going our way. Adding the word yet to our conversations and self-talk shows you’re headed in the right direction, and with time, you’ll find the solution you’re looking for. It’s not a miracle, but a way of thinking to keep you moving forward despite the setbacks that may occur.

3. Avoid negative self-talk: I remember being in a management role one time I knew wasn’t a good fit, and my internal thoughts reinforced that every day. We all talk to ourselves internally and this inner critic dates back to our neanderthal relatives where remembering negative experiences helped them avoid danger. Nowadays, these negative inner conversations hold us back and we need to replace it with positive thoughts and talk. First, recognize when it happens and look for the scenario that triggers it. Look for the positives instead and use those to create new scenarios and learning experiences. Another key is to… 

4. Surround yourself with positive people: I loved my mom; however, the older she got, the more negative she became. As a result, visits with her got shorter and shorter because I don’t need negative people in my life. Tony Robbins says, “You must raise your standards and get rid of negative people who bring you down.” And sales guru Jim Rohn says “You are the average of the five people you hang out with most”, so hang with good, positive people who build you up and make you feel good. Branch out of your comfort zone to meet others who want only the best for themselves and for those around them. Your success and, according to studies, your longevity, depend on embracing positivity and letting go of negativity.

5. Being Grateful: When times are tough, you may find gratitude in your heart in short supply. Being grateful is a choice and it’s something you can practice even when times are hard. Look for the good in a situation rather than focusing on the negative. Say a new employee abruptly quit after just a few days without notice. Be grateful for the opportunity to find someone who’s a better fit for the job rather than focusing on anger at the person who left. Those with a grateful attitude usually experience better health, closer friendships, a better work experience, and stronger relationships with their loved ones. Gratefulness goes hand-in-hand with a growth mindset and helps us feel more confident as we work out obstacles and experience success.

Just like you can go to the gym to lift weights to build muscles, you can also exercise your brain to strengthen memory and emotional regulation skills. Exercising your brain every day helps develop a growth mindset and all the benefits that come as a result.

We all go through trying times, feeling frustrated and perhaps even defeated. The good news is, you can incorporate the ideas above to pull yourself out of your funk, gain back your confidence, and get past the obstacles you encounter. 

As Stephen Covey, author of  “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” said, “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”  Your future is bright and while you might not be where you want to be yet, adopting a growth mindset will keep you moving forward towards the success you deserve.