Mindset is the foundation of how people approach learning, which is why we’ve written this guide on how to build your mindset for success. You don’t have to be an expert in order to develop a growth mindset, which is one of the most effective ways to approach learning. Our goal is to help you increase your confidence and show you that there are approaches that can help you be more successful in the long run.
There are two types of mindset: fixed and growth based. A fixed mindset is where people believe their natural abilities and skills are set from birth, whereas a growth mindset believes that everyone can improve their skills with hard work and commitment to personal improvement.
What is a growth mindset
Let’s delve deeper into understanding what is a growth mindset by defining it as a person’s belief that they can improve themselves with hard work. A growth mindset is what you believe you can achieve, so it is very important to understand your personal growth mindset. We all have a natural potential for certain skills and traits, but these can be improved with practice and effort.
According to Carol Dweck, Ph.D. the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, there is evidence that people with a growth mindset are more committed to lifelong learning than those with a fixed mindset. People with a growth mindset can learn from mistakes and failures, which makes them more likely to continue to learn.
Having a growth mindset is a great way to improve your life in general. By constantly learning new things and pushing yourself to learn more, you are on the path to success. Having ultimate belief in your ability to achieve anything is very motivating.
People with a growth mindset are more likely to try new things and take risks. They tend to prefer difficult, complex tasks that require a lot of effort and are likely to avoid easy tasks, which are perceived as wastes of time. This makes them believe that they have better chances of success in difficult situations where they need to make major changes.
What is a fixed mindset?
A fixed mindset is what you believe is your natural ability and skill, which is not that different from our genetic potential. If a person believes they are born with the skills they have been given by nature, then they are said to have a fixed mindset. If you have a fixed mindset then what you do will not change much if at all, and your attitude towards learning will not be influenced by your struggles or successes. You will continue to do things the same way because changes in your approach would upset or threaten to destroy what you already know.
What is the difference between a growth and fixed mindset?
People with a fixed mindset struggle to have self-confidence in their abilities. If they see the achievements of others in their area as evidence that they are not talented or gifted, then they will think that they are not capable of attaining such success and will feel less motivated to learn new skills.
People with a fixed mindset will think that hard work is not necessary to achieve success in achieving a goal. If you have a fixed mindset, then you think that you can achieve anything that you set yourself to do. A fixed mindset will prevent us from working hard to improve ourselves and only leads us to focus on our current abilities, which are often irrelevant or limiting.
This differs from the growth mindset which enables people to grow and learn from their failures. People with growth mindsets tend to attribute their success to hard work rather than fixed ability. In other words, they take responsibility for their own successes and failures. A person with a growth mindset will show resilience in the face of challenge, and will not give up when told that they are not capable of learning a new skill. They realize that everyone has the potential to grow and improve themselves.
10 Step guide to developing the growth mindset
Now that you have an understanding of the growth mindset, it’s time you work with a framework which will help you develop a growth mindset. These are the 10 steps that you need to follow to develop your growth mindset.
Step 1: Think of skills you’ve had success or failure in.
Think of a skill, activity or a subject in which you’ve had success and lacked in failure. Take time to think about it and then ask yourself these two questions.
What did I do well?
What did I struggle with?
Asking yourself these two questions will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses – which is essential for developing a growth mindset.
Step 2: Identify your Strengths and Weaknesses
Once you’ve identified your strengths and weaknesses, it’s time for the next step. Identify the strengths that you have in a particular skill, activity or subject area and write them down.
So let’s say you are learning how to play an instrument. You’ll probably find that you are good at playing by ear but struggle with reading notes written on paper or tap-dancing on stage. I hate reading music and I am good at playing the piano by ear.
The right side of your brain is in charge of the left side of your body, and vice versa. If you are right-handed then your left hemisphere controls your right hand, but if you are a violinist who plays with bows to the left, then it is your right hemisphere that moves the bow smoothly across the string.
If you are left-handed, then it’s your right hemisphere that controls your left hand. If you are right-handed, then your right ear will be more sensitive to sound than the left.
Step 3: Understand Your Successes and Failures
It’s time to look at your failures or things that you struggled with. You’ll probably find that you are good at some things but struggle with others.
You will find that what is good for you may not be good for others. The reason why this is important is because you are in charge of how you perceive the world around you. You can’t change anything or anyone, but what you observe and believe it to be will change based on the lens through which you view it. It has to be a positive lens if we want to successfully improve ourselves and develop a growth mindset.
When you understand your successes and struggles, it is now time to put it into action.
Step 4: Take Action
When you take action on what you’ve learned in step 3, it gets easier from this point onwards. You can stay up late at night and study with passion when you realise that there is more to learn than you thought before. There are no limits!
Here are some tips on taking actions:
- Visualize your desired outcome.
- Write down your goals and the actions that you need to take to achieve them.
- Make a commitment and tell others about it! Tell everyone that you are going to work hard in order to improve yourself.
- Work Hard and consistently follow through with the plan even when you feel demotivated! It’s easy to get a growth mindset, but it’s not easy to maintain it.
Step 5: Take Measurements
When you see that you are making progress, confidence and motivation will build up. This is the moment where a growth mindset will kick in. It’s not easy to maintain it for long periods of time, but it is so worth it!
Use a journal system to record your daily progress. In order for this system to work, you need to record what you worked on in the day. Also, write down how you felt when you were done with your activities.
Step 6: Take Responsibility!
When you understand the importance of taking responsibility for your learning and the expert that you can be in areas that you once thought were beyond your reach, it is time to work on your mindset. You have found out what is good for you and what isn’t! Now it’s time to take control of your thoughts. This is where a growth mindset comes into play.
Step 7: Believe That You Can Get There
When you think that you can achieve anything, it becomes easier to achieve your goals. Without a growth mindset, you will just be stuck in your comfort place with the belief that success is only possible for a few lucky ones. In order to develop a growth mindset, you need to believe in yourself and know that you can get there! You just need to keep on trying until you succeed.
Self-belief is an integral part of success. Positive visualizations, affirmations and living a life of purpose are all part of a successful growth mindset!
Step 8: Support Yourself
When you believe that there is nothing that you can’t achieve, you need to support yourself. This means that you must surround yourself with people who believe in your ability to do great things. People who will keep encouraging you to do better and speak positively about your future achievements.
Step 9: Be Positive
Be positive and believe in yourself. A growth mindset is not a miracle it’s just the mindset that will help you to achieve your goals in life! Some tips you can use to help you be and stay positive:
- Look at the good things that are happening in your life.
- Remember that you have been given gifts and talents which are invaluable, so try and use them for good.
- Attract the best in life by making it a focal point of your goal.
- Look after yourself, make some healthy habits like exercising and eating healthily. There are a lot of good benefits to being positive and healthy.
- Read, watch and listen to things that make you feel positive. You can also find lots of videos on Youtube with great affirmations to boost your self-esteem.
Step 10: Keep Learning!
It’s important to be constantly learning you never know when change is going to happen! People who don’t learn from their mistakes to the benefit of their knowledge are doomed to fail. As humans, we are innovators by nature. We are constantly evolving and the world is becoming faster every day.
We cannot stress how important it is to always be learning new things. It is a chance to expand your mind and see the world in a new light. It is also a great way to get out of your comfort zone. When you learn new things a growth mindset will develop, this will help you to see the world in a positive and optimistic way.
What are some growth mindset examples?
Let’s put this wisdom into action. Consider the following:
If you keep giving what most consider to be a horrible performance, you may want to ask yourself what is it exactly about your performance that makes it so bad? It could very well be the fact that you think it is bad. If you change your thinking, expect a change in results.
If you put incredible amounts of effort into everything you do for a long period of time and never see results, it could also be the case that you think this outcome is truly the only one possible. It could be that it’s not your work ethic that needs to change, but rather your belief in what is possible.
Don’t blame the world for not giving you a fair shot. Blame yourself for not believing in yourself.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line; the longest distance it to go back and forth on the same path many times. The surest way to succeed is to take action and do what it takes to get there, even if that takes time, effort, or money.There is no failure, only feedback.
It is not where you start in life that matters. It is how hard you work and your belief in yourself that can take you far.
Seek out a mentor if you have a goal. A good mentor can give you proper guidance and show you what steps are necessary to achieve them.
What are the advantages of a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is an outlook that people can change their intellectual ability, in contrast to a fixed mindset, which suggests that ability is fixed. A growth mindset understands that effortful learning and development are important for success.
Here is a list of some advantages of a growth mindset:
- A growth-minded person believes that intelligence can be developed through learning and effort.
- A growth mindset leads to better grades since a person will catch up on missed material and review the material on a regular basis.
- A growth mindset leads to an increased willingness to take risks, such as asking for help from others when one is afraid of failure.
- A growth mindset leads to a greater ability to deal with challenges since simply knowing that effort can change things for the better is inspiring and motivating.
- A growth mindset leads to a healthier lifestyle because success is often associated with physical health.
- A growth mindset leads to being more resilient since all of the successes are very motivating and build self-esteem.
- A growth mindset encourages people to invest in important relationships because they believe that effortful learning can happen at all stages in life, and they value their relationships.
- A growth mindset encourages people to take and complete challenges, and then view the challenges as opportunities for growth.
- A growth mindset encourages people to be creative because they know that even the simplest of changes can sometimes result in something wonderful.
- A growth mindset creates joy in life since a person is always looking forward to reaching new goals and new levels of accomplishment.
What are the disadvantages of a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is an outlook that people can change their intellectual ability, in contrast to a fixed mindset, which suggests that ability is fixed. A growth mindset understands that effortful learning and development are important for success.
Here are a list of some disadvantages of a growth mindset:
- There are instances where it’s easy to get discouraged and not try as hard as one could.
- There are instances where a person can get so attached to the idea of learning that they’ll put off learning even when they have mastered something already.
- A growth mindset has a tendency to discourage people from taking risks in their lives since sudden failure can be more frightening than gradual failure.
- A growth mindset encourages people to put off making important decisions since new information can come up at any time that changes the decision made previously. This is often referred to as a root for procrastination.
- A growth mindset can lead to a loss of confidence since it can be discouraging when one isn’t moving forward fast enough.
Who would benefit from using a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is particularly helpful for people who are beginning to learn a new subject or activity, or who are facing a challenge in a subject or activity. People who feel they aren’t very good at something might benefit the most from using a growth mindset.
Here are a few examples of people who might benefit from using a growth mindset:
- People who are facing a challenge and need to overcome it.
- People who want to reach a higher level of achievement in something they are already good at.
- People who feel like they aren’t able to do something well, but they would like to learn to do that thing well.
- People who want to be successful in life in any way possible.
- People who want to accomplish something important in their lives.
A growth mindset is particularly helpful for people in academic settings, and even more helpful for people who are struggling in school. Academic subjects often have different levels of achievement, and students are often expected to master a certain level of material before they move on to the next level. For this reason, many students have a fixed mindset toward these subjects, especially if they are struggling academically.
Why is the growth mindset great for children?
Children are the perfect example of growth mindsets. They have an endless capacity to learn and grow and develop their skills. Kids can learn a new language, play an instrument, or improve at sports with incredible ease. They can often do things that adults wouldn’t even dream of doing because they are so unconstrained by an existing skill level or knowledge base.
But as we get older, we put so much emphasis on experience and accomplishment that we lose the humble sense of wonder that makes our brains grow. We are destined to use just a certain percentage of our minds, but most people never tap into their full potential.
Here are some ways you can use the growth mindset when communicating to children:
1. Talk to them like a child
I love the work of Dr. Carol Dweck on this topic. One of her most recent studies asked children to complete “matching” exercises but in different ways. In one group, the child was asked to complete their match with a positive mindset and in the other group they were told to complete their match with a simple question like “What is smaller?” The results showed that children who were encouraged to use a growth mindset were more successful at completing these tasks.
2. Give them growth mindset praise
When a child has done something well, don’t just praise their ability or intelligence. Seek out what strategies they used to accomplish the task, and praise the effort and strategy that they used. Often we will notice something about how a child completed their homework or what types of strategies they used. Provide positive feedback for those things.
3. Keep them engaged
One of the best ways to give children a growth mindset is to keep them engaged. When they are engaged in a task or activity, they want to see how far they can go. They want to see how much they can learn from that task or activity. Always focus on the process of learning, as opposed to being worried about the results.
4. Encourage their mistakes and give them space for failure
As adults, we often avoid mistakes at all costs because we are afraid of failure. But children are different. They have an endless capacity for learning and growing, and they are often encouraged to make mistakes when they do something new. When you give them space to fail, you give them a sense of freedom to explore outside of the comfort of old habits.
5. Let them hear you value their efforts
When you praise your child for their efforts, remember that effort needs to come before final outcome. It isn’t enough to praise your child’s effort and intelligence, but you have to reinforce that their efforts are valuable to you. They need to feel like they are valued and seen as a person.
What are some books that will help you with the growth mindset?
Books are a great way of learning about the growth mindset because you can read about it at your own pace, and give yourself time to internalize the material. Here are a few books that will help you learn more about the growth mindset:
1. Mindset by Carol Dweck
This is your go-to book for the growth mindset. Mindset is a great resource for you to learn more about the growth mindset. It has examples of how this type of thinking can be used to help children become more successful in their lives. It also has great resources you can use to apply this type of thinking in your own life.
Some may refer to it as the bible of the Growth Mindset as Dweck delves into the 20 years of research that has gone into making the connection between success and mindset.
2. The Growth Mindset Coach by Michael Matthews
This is a great resource for coaches who want to teach their athletes to have a growth mindset. It captures the essence of Dweck’s work, meaning that it is very easy to understand, but it also provides great information on how this type of thinking can be used in coaching. If you’re a coach, you need this book on your shelf!
3. The Achievement Habit by Sean Covey
This book is a great introduction to how we must have a growth mindset if we want to achieve our goals. This book talks about the habits we must cultivate to make that growth mindset work for us, and works to show you how this type of thinking can be applied to your own life.
If you can apply these habits into your life, it will have a positive impact on your success. The Achievement Habit is a great resource for anyone who doesn’t see the connection between their goals and effort.
4. The Book of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
This is a great book that is filled with examples of how the growth mindset can be applied to your life. The book talks about the importance of self-esteem and provides great information on how we can train our brains to see ourselves as valuable individuals. You also get some examples of what we must do to take better care of ourselves in order to build our self-esteem.
5. The Mindset Hacker by Dr. Alex Lickerman
If you’re looking to take your mindset to the next level, this is a great book. The goal of Dr. Lickerman’s book is to make you feel more in control of your own life and help you understand that if you change the way that you see the world, then you can change the way that the world sees you.
A lot of psychological research proves that we can move toward more success if we can learn to have a growth mindset, develop self-esteem, and cultivate good habits. This book helps you develop all of those things for yourself.
What are some podcasts you can listen to in your journey to the growth mindset?
Podcasts are a great tool to help you learn more about the growth mindset. They are a great way to get the information you want and to get a more in-depth idea about how this type of thinking can help you achieve your goals faster. Here are 5 podcasts you can listen to for the growth mindset:
1. Learning from Legends with Lewis Howes
Lewis Howes was once an athlete before he decided to become a businessman and coach. He sees sports as critical in his development, but also believes that we should not rely on them solely for our development as individuals.
In this podcast, you will learn about what you can do to become a better version of yourself that is greater than the sum of its parts. Howes talks about the importance of having a growth mindset and gives you some more information on how to cultivate it for yourself.
2. The Skillful Coaching Podcast with Dana Morris
Morris believes that learning is not only a process, but it’s also a journey that we should be embarking on one step at a time. In this podcast, you will learn how to do that, and you can develop a growth mindset when it comes to your learning process.
Morris is a great coach because he knows that oftentimes children need help in understanding that they don’t know everything and that is OK. If you want to throw out some of the old paradigms when it comes to coaching, then check out this podcast.
3. The Johnny B. Goode Success Podcast
The Johnny B. Goode Success Podcast is hosted by Harlan Hill, who believes that success is a journey of self-discovery and that we should embrace our imperfections in order for success to come. Through this podcast, you will understand how important it is to find the passion in your life and then use it to find your purpose.
Hill’s podcast also shows you how important it is to look at things from different angles in order to come up with more creative ideas. The podcast is a great way to understand the growth mindset and to understand how it can help you in life.
4. The Growth Mindset Hacker Podcast with Dr. Alex Lickerman
This is a great podcast for you if you’re looking to really dive into the growth mindset, understanding what it is and how to apply it more effectively. Dr. Lickerman explains that we cannot learn everything, but through the practice of having a growth mindset and practising some of the skills, we can actually develop our skill sets.
He believes that it is important, to be honest with yourself about what you know and what you don’t know. This podcast is a great resource for anyone who wants to understand the growth mindset from a scientific perspective.
5. The Thinker’s Guide to Life with Isaac Morehouse
Isaac Morehouse believes that too many people believe that life is just one big test, and if they fail, then they are bad at everything. He talks about how we should look at life as an opportunity for growth and as a chance to understand ourselves better.
In this podcast, you can learn more about the growth mindset, why you should have a growth mindset, and how to nurture it. If you’re looking for more information on the topic of the growth mindset and how it can help you in your life, then Isaac Morehouse is the perfect guy to listen to.
What are some growth mindset quotes to help motivate you?
Quotes are a great way of putting into words how you feel about your goals and how hard you are going to work. quotes can serve as a great motivation tool for yourself when you need some extra push. Here are some great growth mindset quotes to help motivate you.
“You will not light dark corners with words alone, but by burning light in the corners they will come into view.” – William Blake
“You have the power to change yourself and your world through the actions that you take every day. Never underestimate the power of your actions.” – Roy T. Bennett
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” – Albert Einstein
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – Steve Jobs
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln
“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee
“You can’t get to extraordinary until you’re willing to do something that looks like it has no value.” – Seth Godin
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth
“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. ” – Nora Roberts
“Don’t be afraid to give your best at what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves. ” – Dale Carnegie
“The person who has ceased to strive cannot grow old gracefully.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Conclusion
Developing a growth mindset is the best way to approach your challenges in life. It is the only way to get the most from your life and achieve all of your goals. The growth mindset is a way for you to overcome obstacles and to be the best that you can be in life. But most of all, it’s a way to understand that no matter what, you can always achieve greatness if you try hard enough.
Stay clear of fixed mindset thinking as it can only hold you back from achieving your goals. Those who believe in the growth mindset are always striving for improvement, growth and become better versions of themselves. You can do it too, and you should!
Hopefully, our 10 step process to developing a growth mindset was helpful, and we hope you enjoyed it. Remember that progress is a journey, and there will be many steps, but you can do it.
Best wishes and good luck on your journey!