6 Strategies to Help you Develop a Growth Mindset

6 Strategies to Help you Develop a Growth Mindset

Introduction

Do you have a growth or a fixed mindset? Do you judge others? Do you look for reasons as to why you are not as successful as others? Perhaps you are always coming up with evidence to prove to others that you are a ‘good’ person. If this is you – you are not alone. The way you think and act manifests itself early in life, and some of us struggle with thinking ‘positively’. The topic of growth vs. fixed mindset can have a profound effect on your health, relationships, and happiness. The good news it that each one of us can change the way we act and think to ensure we are serving others, and ourselves, better. 

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Mindset

Mindset. What does it mean? Can it be changed or is it something that we are born with? Carol Dweck of Stanford University gives an amazing overview of this topic in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. She looks at how these central mindsets form, what their defining characteristics are in different contexts of life, and how we can revamp our cognitive habits to implement the much more productive and beneficial growth mindset. I have really enjoyed reading this book and would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting to hack their thought processes to become more positive. 
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 “The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value.”  - Carol Dweck

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Fixed Mindset

​A fixed mindset means we believe that our skills, intelligence, general qualities, and talents are fixed traits and cannot be changed. This attitude can often result in resistance to learning or attempts to improve our skills.

​A person with a fixed mindset might say… “I believe that my [intelligence, personality, character, skills] is inherent and static. Locked-down or fixed. My potential is determined at birth. It doesn’t change.”

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Growth Mindset

A growth mindset means we believe that our skills, talents, and general qualities have the capacity to grow and can be improved by hard work and persistence. This mindset results in a positive attitude towards both learning and critical feedback. People with a growth mindset are also generally more open to trying new things.
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A person with a growth mindset might say… “I believe that my [intelligence, personality, character] can be continually developed. My true potential is unknown and unknowable.”

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​People with fixed mindsets:
Believes intelligence & talent are fixed
Feels threatened by others success
Believes failure defines who they are
Views feedback as personal criticism
Hides flaws
Avoids challenges
Ignores feedback
Believes effort is fruitless

People with growth mindsets:
Believes intelligence & talents can be developed
Believes effort is a path to growth
Believes mistakes are part of learning
Views failure as an opportunity
Believes failure is temporary
Embraces challenges
Welcomes feedback
Is inspired by success of others

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6 Strategies to Developing a Growth Mindset

1. Acknowledge & Embrace Your Weaknesses (& Strengths)
Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Ask your friends and family for feedback, as they can offer you a different point of view and give you a perspective on what to focus on. 
Create good habits around both your weaknesses and strengths. Take small steps every day that will help you move towards your goals.

2. View Challenges as Opportunities
If you are afraid to take on a new challenge, then stop and reframe the situation in your mind in order to shift the perspective. 
Consider new challenges as opportunities and new experiences that you can learn from and grow. Think of different ways you can approach the challenge and remember that fear is only natural.

3. Choose the Right Habits & Learning Strategies
Everyone is different, so it is important that you choose strategies that are right for you and your current abilities.
If you are able to identify the best habits and learning strategies for you, then you can optimise the time needed to reach your end goal. The right level and intensity will also feel like you are making faster progress.

4. Focus on the process not the end result
It is the journey that matters and it is important to enjoy it and make the most out of it. Think of all the unexpected lessons and experiences you may encounter during the way to your goal.
Fully engage and put effort in the process. Focusing on the process will improve the results you aim for.

5. Reward your efforts & actions
Acknowledge the small wins on a daily basis and be proud of them. Share them with your family and friends.

6. Set realistic goals & timeframes
Be aware that change and achieving your goals takes time, sometimes a lot of time, there are no shortcuts.
It may take many different methods of learning or techniques until you are able to master a new skill or move swiftly towards your set goal.
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Every effort and action you make is taking you closer to your goal.

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Ask Yourself these Questions to Activate a Growth Mindset

- What can I learn from this?
- What steps can I take to help me succeed?
- Do I know the outcome or goal I’m after?
- What information can I gather? And from where?
- Where can I get constructive feedback?
- If I had a plan to be successful at [blank], what might it look like?
- When will I follow through on my plan?
- Where will I follow through on my plan?
- How will I follow through on my plan?
- What did I learn today?
- What mistake did I make that taught me something?
- Is my current learning strategy working? If not, how can I change it?
- What did I try hard at today?
- What habits must I develop to continue the gains I’ve achieved?

Conclusion

Your mindset can change. You do not need to stick to the self-limiting beliefs that you or others impose upon yourself. 

Ask yourself some deep questions and make promises to yourself to apply some changes if needed. Use the 6 strategies to improve your own thinking, and also your impact on those around you. 

If you want to find out more about the book you can take a look at this animated summary.