How To Eternally Grow

Nahu
Nahu
Sep 3, 2018 · 3 min read

There’s so many ways we categorise people and the way they think

Smart vs dumb, introverted vs extroverted, closed-minded vs narrow-minded…

I came across a fascinating categorisation and one that resonated with me the other day.

Fixed vs Growth Mindset

A fixed mindset is stagnant.

It’s dull, it’s ordinary & it’s boring.

It describes someone who accepts the position they currently have in life as the one that they will always be in.

They accept their lot, are comfortable with where they are and generally don’t seek external information or learning.

These are the people that we often describe as ‘narrow-minded’ because they believe they have and know all that they need to and are just content living their life day to day.

A fixed mindset is one that is content with the status quo, unwilling to put in time or effort to expand their horizons nor step outside their comfort zone.

A fixed mindset can be easy. It can be safe. It doesn’t require effort and it has no risks.

A growth mindset is one of eternal learning.

It’s a mindset that is inquisitive, curious and enthusiastic.

It’s open to new experiences and learning.

It’s an understanding of cause and effect.

A willingness and devotion to continue to develop skills and ideas providing a platform to continue reaching new levels.

It’s open-minded and passionate.

Those with a growth mindset will seem self-aware from the outside, though understand internally how difficult true self-awareness is and continue pursuing the opportunity to learn.

As Socrates, one of the great philosophers once said — “The only thing that I know is I know nothing”.

A growth mindset takes courage, to admit that there is so much we don’t know and having a willingness to be wrong while constantly having your beliefs and opinions revised.

People in a fixed mindset may not even realise that they live in one.

A fixed mindset can be disguised as a life of practicality -

Stuck within the confines of a small circle of people within a bubble.

Time spent lounging around watching TV instead of reading and opening our minds we are blessed with.

A life of being trapped in the same routines and an unwillingness to try new things.

A day to day filled with the same routine & rudimentary conversations.

The world is so big and we have the opportunity to see & do so much.

I refuse to live the same year 90 times and call it a life.

A question that I always try and ask myself –

When was the last time you tried something for the first time?

A growth mindset is one of openness and excitement.

People with a growth mindset are a joy to be around because they have many layers and are also always interested in continuing to develop.

Conversations with people with a growth mindset are fascinating, hearing the opinions that they share and the ability to explore the bigger questions.

A growth mindset can be applied in any setting, whether it’s studying, in sport, in the relationships that we have or the projects that we pursue.

We all live on a spectrum and for different activities or ideas sometimes we will be fixed and sometimes we will be open to learning but it’s my aim to always pursue growth.

We should always be aware of these mindsets and honestly assess how we frame every situation we find ourselves in.

Understanding our lifelong obligation to grow, we should make a definitive decision to eternally learn and constantly try and develop who we are as people.

Being open and perceptive to new ideas, peoples & situations is critical.

I want to be consistently curious.

I want to meet new people, explore new experiences and see new places around the world.

I want to be a student of life every single day.

I’m motivated by the fear of being stagnant

Day in and day out, I want to be obsessed with progression.

“The capacity to learn is a gift, the willingness to learn is a choice”


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I’ll be writing daily, providing perspectives on a variety of issues & exploring the big questions that we all share.

Nahu

Written by

Nahu

A Gen-Y kid's reflections after travelling the world. Mindset growth, self-development tips & everything that lies in between.

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