Do You Believe In Your Capacity To Grow?
The Mindset That Shapes Your Reality
What is your mindset toward your own intelligence?
Do you believe that your abilities can be developed, or do you believe that they are fixed?
These opposing belief systems determine how we move throughout our lives. Moreover, they are a predictor of our success.
Choosing to believe that your character cannot be changed no matter how hard you try, creates an endless need to seek approval from others. I carried this limiting belief for years.
Trust me when I say that this is no way to live.
As Debbie Millman says, “If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve.”
This is why I am such a big believer in the power of developing a growth mindset. Shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset changed my life.
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Carol Dweck’s research at Stanford University changed the way that we think about success. In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, she revealed the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
A fixed mindset assumes that our intelligence is static, meaning that it cannot change. Avoiding failure at all costs is the name of the game.
As you can imagine, a fixed mindset can negatively impact all areas of your life. As Dweck says,
“I’ve seen so many people with this one consuming goal of proving themselves in [a learning setting], in their careers, and in their relationships. Every situation calls for a confirmation of their intelligence, personality, or character. Every situation is evaluated: Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or a loser?”
Conversely, a growth mindset thrives through adversity. Failure is viewed as an opportunity to grow and stretch oneself.
Furthermore, effort is made to constantly seek out environments and people where learning can be absorbed and transformed into action.
Opportunities are everywhere. However, you have to be open to seeing them AND seizing them.
When you believe that you can grow, the world is your oyster.
Let’s explore 3 ways that you can develop a growth mindset.
1. Cultivate A Commitment To Learning
The most successful people in the world don’t act as if they know everything. They understand that, in order to stay ahead, they need to continuously learn.
In today’s world, if you aren’t growing and evolving you will get left behind.
In the words of John Henry Newman, “Growth is the only evidence of life.”
The more we learn, the more value that we can provide to people. People with a growth mindset adopt an attitude of curiosity.
They question how things work and are constantly discovering new things about themselves, others and the world at large.
Everyone can teach you something if you allow them to.
I encourage you to commit to being a lifelong learner. If you aren’t growing, you’re dying. Choose wisely.
2. View Challenges As Opportunities
Challenges are a normal part of life. In order to overcome life’s hurdles, we must learn how to embrace them.
In a growth mindset, challenges are seen as opportunities to learn and to grow into the person that you desire to become.
Challenges build character and resilience.
Think back to some of the most difficult times in your life. How did you get through it? You are here, so that means you survived.
The question remains, “How do we grow from our challenges, instead of becoming suffocated by them?”
It comes down to changing our perspective.
This is something that people with a fixed mindset struggle with. As Ulrich Boser, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress says,
“They’re less likely to work hard when they encounter an obstacle, because they believe that, if they can’t do something, it’s because they don’t have that innate ability.”
3. Develop Grit
Grit is a the cornerstone of success.
Do you know those people who always seem to bounce back from challenges, no matter what? Not only that, but they thrive through adversity.
Almost as if they enjoy it.
In her book, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”, Angela Duckworth has a theory for why these types of people exist. It’s called grit.
In the words of Angela Duckworth herself, “Grit is sticking with your future, day in and day out, & not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years.”
People with a growth mindset don’t know what giving up is. They always persevere, despite all odds.
More importantly, if they can’t find a way they make a way, and don’t stop until they achieve their goals.
Success requires that we engage in a process of never-ending personal growth. Never doubt that you have the ability to grow and become more.
As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”
You have infinite capabilities inside of you.
Are you ready to show the world what you are made?
Thank you for reading!
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