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When I first learned about Growth mindset in my Educ class, I immediately thought, “Alas, I fit in all the descriptions!”
So optimistic, right? However, my bright outlook instantly went crumbling down.
It only took a few years after graduating college, where I examined myself more closely, to realize how much fixed and limiting my beliefs were.
I may have had an idealistic view of myself, but nah, those strengths didn’t directly reflect in real life.
So in the previous years, I’ve been working on expanding my horizons and cultivating a growth mindset.
As for you, do you have Growth or a Fixed mindset?
To give you an idea, let’s have an overview of Growth VS Fixed Mindset:
Growth VS Fixed Mindset
Having a Growth mindset also means believing that you have the ability and intelligence to grow your skill or knowledge—whether through rigorous effort, a bit of patience, or a bucket of perseverance.
You tend to love challenges because you know it’s the only way to exceed your limitations and learn more.
You put in the effort, and you’re optimistically looking forward to these actions bearing fruit in the long run.
Meanwhile, a Fixed mindset would be believing you are either “good” or “bad” at something, so you stuck with it, with little desire to improve.
You’re probably the “same old, same old” type of person.
You would know that you’re naturally good at something and conclude your weaknesses, so you didn’t put much effort into improving those areas.
And since you don’t welcome change and feedback, it would feel awry when someone tries to correct or criticize you.
Because you’re not welcoming to adapting or going with the flow, you might feel threatened when people succeed in the same area as you.
So, which one are you?
If you find yourself confined to a fixed mindset, here are some reminders to tell yourself.
Here’s how you grow:
8 Ways to Cultivate Growth Mindset
1. Be a Solution-seeker
Are you silently wishing for success, but then when you see the steps it’ll take to get there, you say, “That takes too much time” or “Ah, I’m too old for that”?
I’m not discounting that you may actually be too busy to squeeze in another schedule or too old to join a sport like gymnastics.
However, learning should never stop, no matter how old you get or your situation.
Once you confine yourself to the idea that “you can’t,” there, you’re drawing a line and that’s a fixed mindset.
Is it really that you can’t, or you don’t want to?
“I don’t have this, I don’t have that.”
Remember, many people started with nothing, but can make things work because they need or want to. They’re so good at finding ways.
I’ve seen hands-on moms also working on their businesses—selling clothes, providing home care, and managing their rentals.
A few of my classmates in college were moms, too, and they would bring their kids, and we’d babysit, all while their mom report in front of the class. It was fun!
Yes, it may take time, but you can learn anything… if you truly desire it and step towards it.
If there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s just that sometimes, we’re impatient of being in the process.
Keep your mind sharp, and invite more joy and possibility into your life.
2. Embrace the Challenge
When faced with difficulties, what do you say?
Do you scratch your head and groan, “Ugh. This is the worst,” or say, “Why is everything against me?” Unfortunately, this mindset makes you feel like a victim of circumstances.
Sadly, problems never cease to exist. So, are you going to slump and be forever stumped?
No, that’s a fixed mindset, an outcry that you want an easy-peasy life.
But you see, that’s BORING, and you won’t learn a thing from procrastinating on your goals.
Meanwhile, when you have a growth mindset, you actually see these roadblocks as opportunities in disguise.
The car broke down? You missed a flight? These may be heart-pounding experience, but setbacks will teach you how to respond best next time.
As Dr. Shaun in the series The Good Doctor said, “Mistakes are good. You should make more.” Because you’ll learn more.
You become more ready, and the challenges become easier as you get stronger by the day.
You become more patient and resilient, and your problem-solving skills will improve, especially when you’re consciously inclined to fix problems.
3. Welcome New Opportunities
Being a yes-man has its cons, but so is being a hermit who always says NO.
When I was younger, I always thought people were taking advantage of me.
And so even when they approached me for opportunities as a form of trust and aid, I would feel abused.
There was a phase in my life where I rejected all of them.
Opportunities slipped through my fingers far too many times.
My fear of being confined made me build walls. I usually made excuses so I wouldn’t put in the effort. I probably was just lazy or too self-centered to do things for others.
But now, it’s time to turn the tables back and transform this fixed mindset into a growing one.
Whatever the reason is, respond to opportunities with an open heart rather than pondering whether you’re being taken advantage of or you’re simply avoiding work.
Sooner or later, you start to view these chances as a way to improve, learn, or achieve something meaningful.
4. Be Consistent Despite Failure or Success
If you fail, should you give up? That’s obvious — of course not. That’s not a characteristic of the growth mindset.
Instead, whether you fail or succeed, stopping isn’t the answer.
Consistency is key. Your work must continue even if you reached a tiny-bitsy win or a massive failure.
What do you do? You continue with a purpose.
A growth mindset thrives on persistence.
Even after success, there’s always more to learn and more ways to improve. With failures, there are even far better lessons we can get.
Consistency, along with the lessons learned, is needed to keep moving forward, no matter what.
5. Not Taking Criticisms As Personal Attacks
“How dare she talk to me like she’s perfect?”
Ah, yes, this line reminded me of how butthurt I was when people tried to point out my mistakes and insecurities. Then, I would shut down and avoid that person.
Do you respond to criticisms like this, too?
Sadly, when we start to hear feedback as a personal attack rather than a means to improve, we’re immediately closed off from growing and gathering valuable insights.
First, we have to discern which is a personal attack and which one is objective feedback.
Sometimes, the reason we take feedback personally is because we get too attached to our craft or job. We made our job and projects “our baby” that no one should hurt.
But when it comes to growing our mindset, there are times that we simply need to separate emotions from the actual work.
So next time, say, “I’ll consider your opinions” or “Thank you for your feedback,” and evaluate it objectively rather than getting defensive.
This approach helps you stay open to new perspectives, making you more adaptable.
6. Cheer for Your Progress, No Matter How Small
Each small success you achieve is like a building block.
When you gather these small wins over time, they propel you toward more enormous successes.
As I’ve said in this blog post about habits, you don’t have to do something monumental to reach the goal.
The truth is, even the tiniest success can snowball, no matter how gradual it may seem.
Intense exercise once a month gives us almost nothing, but 30-minute workouts daily can tone those muscles and improve our cardio.
Additionally, as long as you’re moving forward and accomplishing one thing at a time, you’re becoming a better version of yourself than you were yesterday.
Don’t look far ahead because you will be impatient. Look at what’s in front of you now.
You’ll be surprised. Months or years from now, you’re already living the dream you’ve always dreamt of, and the slow steps brought you there.
7. Stop Blaming, Just Act
This is one of the responses I disliked the most – blaming. It stalls finding the solution, creates negativity, and also severs relationships.
So, if you want to cultivate a growth mindset, blaming others is one to let go. This solves nothing, especially when everyone wants to point fingers at each other.
That’s the trait of a toxic workplace (and I was unlucky to experience that!)
At the end of the day, results are often the outcome of collective efforts. It usually involves a team, not just one person, so why not just focus on the solution now?
Instead, find a solution first, find out where things went wrong, and coach people so they’re better equipped when the same circumstances happen again.
8. Be Humble and Teachable
Although I love learning, I admit I wasn’t the type to be teachable. I was notoriously self-centered. (This was when I was in my early 20s, ‘kay?).
I didn’t like people holding me to their rules, so I’ve grown independent and isolated.
No, I’m not socially anxious, but I probably am too avoidant, and I thought people would take my freedom away from me.
This mindset tricked me for years.
I thought I was improving, but I realized that I had hit a wall because I couldn’t work with a team anymore, so I couldn’t market my products, couldn’t trust my hired freelancers, and fell back to being alone.
Instead of what I did, I realized that humility plays a big role here.
Being teachable gives us far more learning than just doing it by ourselves.
When you ask someone to teach you, you open yourself up to new knowledge, skills, and perspectives you might not gain independently. Seeking guidance from others who have more experience is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Also, don’t be afraid of being a follower. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by following someone who has already walked your path.
And once you’ve learned, be generous in sharing your knowledge and skills with others. Just as you’ve benefited from someone else’s mentorship, you can pay it forward by helping others grow.
This creates a cycle of continuous learning and growth for everyone involved!
These are the ways we can gradually embrace growth mindset. I hope you take note of these and apply them in your life. Let me know how it goes for you!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
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