How to Develop a Growth Mindset

Mindset is not just about effort; the old adage that if you put your mind to something that you will achieve it. Effort is key, but there is more to it.

When you are stuck:

When you are feeling stuck, take a moment and list 5 of your top strengths in your journal. A great way to start this exercise, is to imagine your best friend. What would they say are your strengths? If a life coach interviewed your siblings, parents, best friend, spouse, etc, what would each of them say about your strengths?

Then begin to reassess the problem from a new angle. How would your “Best Self” approach the problem? What lens can you apply that will change how you view the problem?

It is combination of effort and willingness to explore new solutions that creates growth mindset.

Sometimes we get in the mode of giving praise to help someone move past their roadblock. We say things like “Everyone is a winner”, or “Great effort, you tried your best!” But, that does not always work as planned. This actually has a negative impact on performance. The two examples hid the roadblocks and do not allow for a person to grow.

A growth mindset will offer to help someone develop solutions. For instance, instead of Great Effort, you can say “Good job. Let’s talk about what you did well and what you can do next time.” In our culture we tend to be afraid that this will stunt their growth. The reality is that this approach gives praise (short term happiness) and a pathway to improve (long-term happiness)

What can you do to grow?

A fixed mindset often feels caged and stagnant. Almost like you are simply not able to solve the problem or achieve the goal. Evidence of a fixed mindset might sound like -

“I am never happy”
“I tried, and it just won’t work.”
“I’m too tired to even think about it any longer.”
“I did my best.”

Look for evidence of a fixed mindset in yourself. Giving false accolades, or stating you did your best. This will shorten your ability to grow. Other triggers that may be evidence of a fixed-mindset are do you feel anxious. Do you feel incompetent or defeated? Are you overly criticizing yourself?

One trick you can use to help you move past a fixed mindset. When you find yourself grading your efforts, you can add the word “yet” For example, “I am not a good salesman, yet” This teaches your brain to keep growing and trying. If you stopped on “I am not a good salesman” you are telling yourself you can’t improve or grow.

What about Gratitude?

Gratitude is about recognizing what is around you. As you focus on a growth mindset you give yourself the opportunity to see new pathways. In Psychology, when a person creates new pathways, or new options for solving a complex problem, it increases HOPE and Happiness. When you stop looking for new options we stunt our ability to make meaningful change.

Challenge to you:

In your journal, I want you to include times when you see that you had a closed or fixed-mindset. Then I want you to briefly write how you could have done it differently.

If you are already a strong Growth Mindset individual, write in your journal about new options and ideas to your complex problems. What could you do differently?

Dr. Mark Leonard

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