You’ve probably already heard of the term “growth mindset”.
A growth mindset is the opposite of a “Fixed Mindset”.
A growth mindset, as stated by the famous Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book “Mindset”, describes people who strongly believe that their success depends on the time and effort they put in. People with a growth mindset believe that their skills and knowledge can be enhanced with effort and persistence.
But how do you develop a “Growth Mindset”?
Here are 14 practices you can do to develop and cultivate a “Growth Mindset”:
You Can Mold Your Mind
There’s so much research showing that a human brain‘s structure is never fixed and so your mind should be fixed either. You can mold your mind and train your mind to whatever you want it to achieve.
Identify Your Weakness
You have to identify your weaknesses so you would know exactly what are they and how you can manage them. Knowing your weaknesses will also allow you to identify your skills and knowledge gaps so you can do something to fill them in.
Learn Through The Process
You have to learn through the process of achieving your goals. Know that failures are inevitable and that there’s always something to learn from any circumstance.
Learn Through Your Failure
You have to learn how to shift your idea of failure. Failures can happen all the time and it’s inevitable. That is why instead of looking at failure as a downfall, look at it as an opportunity; an opportunity to learn, to improve, to come up with better plans, and to grow.
Know Your Biggest Why
The big part of having a growth mindset is being able to know your biggest why – your purpose. When you truly know your purpose, you are more driven to become better to achieve and realize your purpose.
Be Consistent
Consistency is very important. You have to stay committed and consistent in putting in the work toward your goal. You will never reach success if you are not willing to put in the work.
Take Your Time
It takes time to be better. It takes to learn. It takes time to acquire new skills. You have to take your time and allow yourself to go through the process and learn through it. Great change does not happen overnight.
Do Things On Your Own
You don’t need the approval of every person around you. Know that your approval is enough. As long as you are not hurting other people in the process, you are on the right track. When you listen to other people’s opinions or please them for their approval, you will only spare your growth potential.
Take Criticisms
Either positive or negative criticisms, you have to acknowledge all of them but that doesn’t mean you listen to all of them. You have to stay analytical in criticisms. Never let it pull you down or hinder your motivation to push forward.
Celebrate Yourself
Don’t be hard on yourself. Your drive to grow does not mean you should stop having fun and keep being serious. Give yourself the time to celebrate even the smallest wins.
Grow With Others
Share and celebrate your progress and wins with other people. Surround yourself with people who support you and what you do.
Keep Your Grit
Expect that the way toward becoming better and achieving success will never be a straight path. There will be hurdles and blocks along the way that you have to overcome. Keep your grit, and your determination, and cultivate perseverance. Remind yourself that you can overcome anything.
Stay Mindful
Give yourself the time to reflect. Practicing mindfulness in whatever you do will help you to expand your awareness and reflect on your growth.
Always Use The ‘Not Yet’ Technique
Remember to always practice the ‘not yet’ technique to get out of any fixed mindset situation or statement. Remind yourself that if you are struggling at the moment, that is because you haven’t mastered the skill ‘yet’ and that you will do everything to become better at it.
These are just some of the many practices you can do to cultivate a growth mindset. There are still many ways that are not included in this list but surely this list has given you an idea of what are the practices you should do to cultivate a growth mindset.
Remember, a fixed mindset will not get you anywhere. Start doing these practices and cultivate a growth mindset.