What is a growth mindset and 11 ways to develop it 

What we always tell ourselves internally, the way we think about ourselves,  and our abilities can have a significant impact on our performance, to self improvement, tackling challenges and solving problems in our daily lives.

It is so important to always evaluate our thoughts, how we make assumptions, how often we think of negative thoughts  because our achievements today are the reflection of what we have learnt and the effort we have put in. 

Yet we have not prioritized what we think, act and make assumptions about negative and positive thoughts.

In this article we are going to explore the following: 

1. what a growth mindset?

2. What is a Fixed mindset and the difference between a growth mindset and fixed mindset?

3. What is the Importance of cultivating a growth mindset?

4. Can anyone develop a growth mindset?

5. 11 ways to develop a growth mindset 

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is a belief that you can develop any skills, human qualities and abilities through effort, reframing, structured strategies, persistence and guidance from others.

Am not saying that you can become the next albert einstein, leonardo da vinci, aristotle or isaac newton. But with a growth mindset, you believe that a person’s true potential is unknown. It’s impossible to foresee what you can accomplish with years of passion, toil, and training. Everybody can reach their true potential.

 The term growth mindset was coined by Professor carol dweck, an American psychologist, in her book mindset: the new psychology of success. I recommend that you read the book (click this link)

Her work explored how an individual can shift from a traditional fixed mindset to a growth mindset. And she explained how intelligence and ability to do anything could be improved through effort and how to reward effort, doing and friction.

Her studies show that those who believe they can develop their talents, tend to achieve more than those who feel their abilities are inborn and fixed. Those with a growth mindset see opportunities instead of obstacles, choose to challenge themselves to learn more rather than sticking to an identity that is not true.

"To cultivate a passion for stretching yourself consistently and sticking to it, even when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows us to thrive during some of the most challenging times in our lives."

Carol deck explains the concept of growth mindset as "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."

What is a Fixed mindset and the difference between a growth mindset and fixed mindset?

A Fixed mindset is the belief that our abilities are inborn, it cannot be changed, it is fixed from birth. 

• People with a fixed mindset see

intelligence as something basically about you that can’t change very much. while people with a growth mindset see intelligence as something you have to keep working for. it isn’t just given to you.

• People with a fixed mindset can

learn new things but believe you cannot change how intelligent you are. While people with a growth mindset believe you can always substantially change how intelligent you are. 

• People with a growth mindset 

believe that they can learn new skills through consistently putting effort, while a fixed mindset is the opposite of a growth mindset.

• People with a fixed mindset are

concerned with how you’ll be judged; while people with a growth mindset are concerned with improving.

• A fixed mindset get defensive or 

give up easily when faced with obstacles, while a growth mindset persists in the face of setbacks.

• A fixed mindset see effort as

fruitless or worse while a growth mindset sees effort as the path to mastery.

• A fixed mindset ignore useful 

negative feedback, while a growth mindset learns from criticism.

What is the Importance of cultivating a growth mindset?

As things are evolving, new skills are emerging, the world is in need of different skills like coding, web design, graphics design, content creator and so on.

Cultivating a growth mindset is extremely important because it makes us flexible, resolute, and steadfast to adjust to whatever life throws at us.

It increases our urge to learn, and It encourages us to learn how to internal reward effort, friction,  and doing. 

It makes us feel better, happy and finds joy in striving.

It enables us to continue doing tasks consistently with love and happiness.

A growth mindset encourages us to see challenges as opportunities to learn, to solve problems and keep improving. People with a growth mindset learn from their failure, they turn lemon to lemonade.

Can anyone develop a growth mindset?

Yes! Anyone can developed a growth mindset.  Once you can twerk the way we perceive things, the way we see things, and the way we internalize our thoughts.

A growth mindset is more of being conscious of where you are now and where you are going. Highlight the things that challenge you and start putting effort to get better. You have to honestly review your progress and accept constructive feedback.

You need to shift the way you perceive: challenges, efforts, and feedback.

It entails understanding that our brains, and abilities are malleable. So when you tell yourself, I can improve my intelligence and abilities and you will start seeing clues on how to do it. And  when you say you can't do this you will start perceiving reasons why you cannot do it.

Carol dweck clearly explain

"When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. In one world—the world of fixed traits—success is about proving you’re smart or talented. Validating yourself. In the other—the world of changing qualities—it’s about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself. In one world, failure is about having a setback. Getting a bad grade. Losing a tournament. Getting fired. Getting rejected. It means you’re not smart or talented. In the other world, failure is about not growing. Not reaching for the things you value. It means you’re not fulfilling your potential. In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you’re not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn’t need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented. You have a choice. Mindsets are just beliefs. They’re powerful beliefs, but they’re just something in your mind, and you can change your mind. As you read, think about where you’d like to go and which mindset will take you there."

Start directing your thoughts from fixed to growth trajectory. Every day presents itself with an opportunity to grow and to help the people you care about grow. 

Always remind yourself about the difference between fixed and growth mindsets every day. Ask these questions what are the opportunities for learning and growth today? For myself and for the people around me?

11 ways to develop a growth mindset 

Shifting from from fixed mindset to a growth mindset is't like a magic or like switching a light bulb. It is process and a journey that requires continues effort, practice, and reflection. But the good news, it's possible to develop it and Here are the actionable strategies to put yourself on the driver's seat.

1. Recognize the both mindset 

recognise there is fixed and growth mindset and study their characteristics. I recommend you to read Mindset by Carol Dweck and go back to the beginning of this article. 

You acknowledged that everybody differs in their initial talent and interest and temperament. 

Recognise the scale where you fall in. Consider how you approach challenges in your day to day activty. Example if you love to avoid challenges or embrace challenges. If you love to avoid challenges, that means you are on a fixed mindset.  

Remember you can have a growth mindset on some aspect of your life and have a fixed mindset on another aspect. 

2. Internalize the possibility of change

When you say I can do it. Your mind will start giving clues on how you can change. Keep seeking how you can do it. And you will find the answer.

3.  Learn to reward effort 

We often attach our happiness to the outcome event or to our goals. If you focus on publishing your book or on winning medals. You totally undermine the entire process that leads to the outcome. You need to learn how to reward effort, frustration and friction. In other words, enjoy the journey, enjoy the process. It will increase the chances for you to lean back to that action in subsequent time. How do  you do this? You keep telling yourself at the moment of intense pressure or stress that you love the effort you are putting, secondly you are going to get the reward from the effort and lastly you are doing it by choice.

4. Reframe challenges 

challenges are what we encounter everyday. When you welcome challenges by seeing it as an opportunity to learn, grow and explore. You see, Some opportunities disguise itself  as challenges. 

5. Redefine failure and mistake

When you fail you should try again. Ask yourself how you can do it right. Explore other ways to do it right. Albert Einstein said "you will never fail until you stop trying". Remember "it is ok to make mistakes, mistake means you are trying." The most important thing is how you Interpret the lesson you learn from your mistake and work on them.

Reflect each day on what you've failed and what you did well. Learn from your mistakes and what you did well. Don't beat yourself up with negative thoughts but instead recognize your weak spot and use drills to strengthen it.

6. Be a lifelong learner 

See life as a learning ground, try to see something to learn from anyboby, nature and animals. Am not saying you should directly copy people's bad character but learn to observe, extra what you need from other people. There is something good to learn from anybody find it. Being open to learning new things is part of the growth mindset process.  

Constantly seeking for what to learn. 

Reinforce any aspect  where your knowledge is being tested.  Keep striving to improve. Always ask what is the new thing you've learned everyday.

7. Be an inquirer and not a follower 

an inquirer tests any lessons and notes his observation. Then he sees what is contrary, he will modify to meet his test. He love to share what he has learned. While a follower don't experiment what the have learned. They just belief that is how things is.

8. Welcome constructive feedback

Always seek honest feedback from people who truly believe in you. Accept constructive criticism, when people criticize you, don't take it too personal, penetrate into their mind and understand why they criticize you.  Some people don't want to see your progress; they just love to criticize and oppose you in other to destroy your will. You have to be calm and take what will make you keep improving and going.

9. Stop seeking validation or approval from people: 

Stop telling purposese your goals or oversharing every move you want to take. I recommend you to always write your thoughts, write your inner dialogue. Move on when you agree with yourself. You can track your moves by writing and evaluate your plan and your moves. Make necessary adjustments through writing. So write your frustration, your happiness, your fear, your anxiety, and your plan. Say only what is necessary. 

10. Surround yourself with the right people 

The people you keep around you make a great impact on your growth. Surround yourself with growth-minded people. Their character, mental fortitude and resilience will be reflected in your life. Always seek help, if necessary.

11. Celebrate your progress internally 

learn to celebrate your progress internally, when you celebrate your small wins by throwing parties, you tend to receive the reward and there will be a significant drop in your baseline of dopamine. The cognitive interpretation is you may not feel like continuing that action again.

conclusion 

Cultivating a growth mindset in many aspects of your life is very important. You tend to view challenges as an opportunity. See failure as part of the process of becoming better.  

Learn to reward effort and doing. You will see you will long for putting effort and you will make significant progress. I always return to this quote "My achievements are a reflection of what I have learned and the effort I have put in. Regardless of where I am now, I can always get better. That applies to my intelligence and skills. So, if I perform well I have done a good job and worked hard. If I find something difficult, I have to make more of an effort or try to find a better strategy. If someone is more successful than me, it motivates me because that means I can learn something from that person. I like challenges because they give me the chance to improve." - University of Groningen,