A growth mindset is essential for us humans as it enables us to understand that we are not to be static with fixed ideas but that we can develop ourselves to achieve our desired goals.
A growth mindset is a belief that our abilities can be developed and improved through dedication and hard work. Having this kind of mindset works a certain type of magic on us, making us exert the required efforts needed in our jobs, relationship, and other aspects of our lives; without it, we end up being stuck.
A growth mindset is the opposite of a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset are scared of growth and believe things are meant to follow a straight pattern and not allow room for change and growth.
One essential attribute of someone who is ready to learn is the ability to have a growth mindset. This enables you to know that your talents and skills are not static, adapting to the lifestyle of exerting more effort in everything you do.
How to develop a growth mindset
Set high standards
Setting a high standard for yourself is one of the prerequisites for growth. You cannot grow if you repeatedly depend on the same routine. We are always poor predictors of our best efforts, telling ourselves we can’t do things until we are pushed to do them.
Instead of waiting for someone to push you towards taking that bold step, why don’t you take that bold step by setting goals higher than what you’re used to and telling yourself that you must achieve them. This is a growth mindset.
Face your challenges boldly
Most of us are scared of new challenges. We prefer dealing with the same challenges every day that opting-out becomes our next option when faced with a new one. You will remain static if you don’t put yourself to test with each new challenge you face.
Try new strategies, see every new challenge as an adventure; you may be surprised to know that you possess a lot of abilities you never knew
Pay attention to your thoughts
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7
Pay close attention to your thoughts and the words you say. Become your own guide by censoring what you think because if you think in a static and shallow way, you will behave so. To develop a growth mindset, you must think positively instead of negatively, appreciate your efforts than being judgemental.
Your actions are a reflection of your thoughts, so let your thoughts always be of growth and seeing things in a new light.
For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.
Matthew 12:34b
Acknowledge and embrace imperfections
For you to grow, you must accept your weaknesses and see beyond them. Hiding from your weaknesses will hinder growth. Work on your flaws by substituting the word failure for learning. Train yourself to see that there is room for improvement and growth.
Stop seeking approval
You sacrifice your potential for growth if you prioritize approval over learning. Waiting on other’s approval will only hinder your growth. Trust yourself and be there for yourself.
Cultivate the habit of self-approval because, in the long run, only you can be there for you, so build self-confidence as a way of being independent.
Rewire your mindset
Your mindset goes a long way in determining the decisions you make and the things you do. Your type of mindset will determine if there will be room for improvement or not.
If you have developed a fixed mindset over time, you need to change it now as it may hinder your growth. Try listing out all the things you feel should be changed, finding out why they need to change, and why you need to see beyond that level.
Choose difficult tasks
People with a fixed mindset always look for opportunities to escape challenging tasks simply because they are scared of failing and looking bad. To develop a growth mindset, you need to see past the failure and focus on the learning process instead.
One thing that is inevitable is making mistakes. When you chose to do a difficult task, it broadens your curiosity, giving you confidence and courage to carry out other difficult tasks, and by so doing, you grow.
Look for a better challenge
Instead of staying at a fixed point solving one same challenge repeatedly, why don’t you look for something higher and better than that? Test your abilities by trying to perform better than others. It gives you a grasp of why you need not be in a fixed position in life and why you need to advance in all you do.
Set goals
Setting challenging and tasking goals brace you up to do better as you try to achieve them. List out all the things you wish to accomplish and the allocated time you need to achieve them.
The more goals you set to achieve, the more you move from one step to another. With each goal comes a new challenge and commitment. While trying to accomplish those goals, you see yourself improving in fascinating ways – cultivating new habits, skills, and ideas to achieve your set goals.
Create a compelling belief
For you to grow, you need to decide within yourself to be willing and committed to changing your beliefs. Your belief serves as a hindrance or launchpad to your growth. If you seem to be fixed at a particular spot for a long while due to one idea or the other, it’s high time you change that belief and move forward.
View failure in a different light
Don’t see failure as a means to turn back; instead, see it as a motivating force for you to learn more. Whenever you fail, be persistent in doing more.
Your persistence to learn, not minding your failed attempts, will give you more insights about that particular task and what needs to be improved on.
