Exploring Your Growth Mindset!

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but if there is a reason for my modest level of 'success' in business and in life, it is that I acquired a growth mindset before I even knew what it was. 

In this concept, popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck (check out her book Mindset), people with a growth mindset believe that we can learn and change and grow and are more likely to try new things because, with practice and patience, we are confident we will get better. 

Those with a fixed mindset have more of a black-and-white view of their skillsets (or lack thereof), they believe their abilities and intelligence are static traits and are less likely to try new things because they fear failure or believe they are not capable of improvement.

Because you have connected with me, I assume you have a growth mindset too, congratulations! 

Here are a few ways we can continue to nurture our growth mindsets... 

Continually Seek Development  

1. Ask for (and act on) constructive feedback from people who are in a position to help you grow.
2. Look for opportunities to learn/try/explore new things. 
3. Get curious about things you don't know, ask questions, dig deeper.

See 'Failures' as Opportunities 

1. Instead of dwelling, find the gold in learning from the situation.
2. Develop resilience, many failures may just be setbacks - know you are building your muscles to get you into condition for future challenges.
3. Shift your language from 'I failed.' to 'I haven't succeeded yet.'

Try 'Hard' Things 

1. Create stretch goals - more than you would have done, but still accomplishable.
2. Push beyond what is familiar and easy for you, that is where the growth comes.
3. Embrace the process of trying, perfection is not the goal, learning is.
    

Now...your life, your version, your plan...

Pick one item from the list above and execute it.

If your time does not allow for that right now, just start noticing your mindset. Notice when you are displaying a growth or fixed mindset.

Awareness is the first step! 

Congratulate yourself when you are displaying a growth mindset and get curious when you are not.  

***

Abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and effort - and you can actually have fun doing it!

Nurturing your growth mindset, it's one more way you can live, Your Life, Unlimited!

Cheering for you, Steph : )

PS - if you missed last week's short video about Thought Blaming, here you go!

Here is my March Growth Mindset challenge; I have enjoyed every minute of it so far!