Hello and happy Monday!
Just recently, my son’s first grade teacher sent out a video that was shown to the class about “growth mindset.” Can you believe that? First grade and already getting introduced to a concept like that. Of course it was done using a cute cartoon character called “Mojo” and made in an easy to understand way, but I was still impressed.
We have come a long way in discovering more about motivation and how our brain works when it encounters failure and challenges. I wish that I had learned about this concept when I was 6-years-old…it would have helped me understand my fear of failure and perfectionism cycle that I still struggle with today.
For those who might not be familiar, a growth mindset means that you thrive on challenge, don’t see failure as a negative experience, but instead use it as a springboard for growth and developing your abilities. Your intelligence and talents are all susceptible to growth, not fixed.
Here are some ways to develop a growth mindset:
- Identify the mindset voice inside of you.
Internal dialogue like “What if I fail?” or “If I don’t try, nobody will see me fail,” means you have a fixed mindset voice. 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.
- 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. The choice is up to you. Will you listen to the voice?
- 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.” or “If I don’t try at all, it is a failure. There’s no dignity in that.” This new voice will help you drown out the fixed mindset voice that is crowding your thoughts and ambition.
- Practice.
Put yourself in situations that are challenging to help you practice your new voice. With new challenges around every corner, there’s many opportunities to thrive from setbacks and trials.
- Stop seeking approval of others.
Comparing yourself to others, focusing on how you look to others, and hiding failures are all hindering you from developing a growth mindset, and finding success. Keep focusing on yourself and how you can grow, and stop worrying if others are looking at your progress. Chances are, nobody is.
- 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.
- 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.
I hope this sparks something in you this week where you are able to take a “failure” and reframe it as “learning.”
Have a great week!
Kate Genord 