The term “growth mindset” was coined by the psychologist Carol Dweck, in her book called “Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success”.
The word “mindset” is basically a self-perception, or a so-called “inner story” which people believe about themselves. A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can’t change in any meaningful way, whereas the growth mindset is more oriented towards realizing that your talents, knowledge and skills are not really fixed. They are ever-flexible and can be worked on and changed throughout any point of your life.
In other words, a growth mindset is believing you can do and achieve more if you put in the time, work and effort. A growth mindset thrives on challenge and sees failure as an opportunity to grow and stretch our existing abilities.
Out of these two mindsets, which we manifest from a very early age, springs a great deal of our behaviour, our relationship with success and failure in both professional and personal contexts, and ultimately our capacity for happiness.
The quest therefore is to recognize the mental blockages and work through them. Each type of behaviour/habit is linked to a certain belief you hold about yourself. Once you identify these patterns, you will unlock the opportunity to make a conscious decision and make a change for the better, at the moment when that behaviour/habit manifests. Now in many instances, certain habits and behaviours can overtake our ability to consciously realise what we’re doing and how it affects us. For that specific reason, it is important to engage your inner observer on time and take action beforehand.
Introspection is one of the most viable tools when it comes to shifting your mindset towards growth. Essentially this is the observation of one’s own thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions. The modern-day world tends to deprive us of opportunities to look within. With the ever expanding bombardment of information in media and the world, it’s very easy to fall into being told what to do, how to behave or how to react. Engaging in introspection encourages you to question those beliefs, attitudes and opinions and assess whether they are truly serving you.
When you realise that most of your daily life is predictable and revolves around automatic emotions and behaviours, the game changes. Once that breakthrough comes in, you come to realise that you can always take different decisions and create a different end result. It is not easy to do something different than what you are accustomed to, but know you can choose to use your free will and do something different.
When it comes to kicking your brain into growth mode, there are some essential things to remember and look out for in yourself and in your environment. A growth mindset creates a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. Here’s a few ways to help you install a new set of beliefs!
- Don’t Give In To Negativity
Try reframing negative thoughts and opinions and try to see the silver lining
- Embrace your flaws.
We are all perfectly imperfect. How boring would life be if we were all the same?
- Face Challenges With Excitement
Try to see them as opportunities rather than obstacles
- Pay attention to your self talk
Positive self talk will natural improve self esteem and confidence
- Stop seeking approval from others
Learn to trust yourself and listen to your gut.
- Be unapologetically authentic
Some people won’t get it, but that’s OK. You will find your tribe
- Failure Is Not The End
Value the journey and take learnings from it.
- Spend Time With Yourself
This is where the greatest visions, ideas and motives arise.
- Learn More, Do More
This will literally create new connections in the brain and also develop certain thinking patterns and physical capabilities.
By choosing to make the extra effort to build a growth mindset, you can make your mental processes work for you, resulting in a greater likelihood that you get the results you're looking for and live the life you want to live. A growth mindset means one embraces challenges, persists in the face of setbacks, takes responsibility for their words and actions, and acknowledges that effort is the path toward mastery. It is basically the reason why “practice makes perfect.
