The Power of a Growth Mindset
In the ever-evolving journey of life, the way you think can either propel you forward or keep you stuck. As a life coach, I’ve seen firsthand how mindset can shape not only your day-to-day experiences but also the trajectory of your entire life.
Let me share my personal experience,
For years, I lived with a mindset that felt like a stubborn roommate—unwilling to clean up, resistant to change, and always bringing me down. No matter how hard I tried, it felt like I was stuck in a loop, like I lived the same day 1000 different times. I’d say things like, “I’m just not good at this,” or, “This isn’t for me.” (The awareness of failure was more than the possibility of another outcome)
It wasn’t until I learned about the power of a growth mindset that I realized the real culprit wasn’t my abilities—it was my belief about them. Let me tell you, the revelation was equally freeing and frustrating. You mean all this time, it wasn’t my ability that was the problem, but my thinking? Great. Just great.
Dr. Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, introduced the concept of fixed and growth mindsets. Here’s the difference:
Fixed Mindset: People with this mindset believe their abilities, intelligence, and talents are static traits. They often shy away from challenges because they fear failure might reveal their limitations.
Growth Mindset: Those with a growth mindset see their abilities as qualities that can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and embrace the lessons from failure.
Why Mindset Matters
Your mindset influences:
How you approach challenges: Do you avoid them or face them head-on?
Your resilience: Are you easily derailed by setbacks, or do you bounce back stronger?
Your potential: A growth mindset unlocks possibilities, helping you thrive in areas you never imagined.
Steps to Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Embrace Challenges
Challenges are stepping stones to growth. Instead of fearing them, approach them with curiosity. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
Shift Your Inner Dialogue
Pay attention to how you speak to yourself. Replace “I can’t do this” with “I can’t do this yet.” That small shift opens the door to possibility.
Reframe Failure
Failure isn’t the end—it’s a valuable teacher. Reflect on what went wrong and what you can do differently next time.
Practice Gratitude for Growth
Celebrate small wins and the effort you’ve put in. Recognize the progress you’ve made, even if the journey feels slow
So back to my life,
My fixed mindset felt like an overly critical auntie at family gatherings- always pointing out what was wrong with me, never giving me credit for effort, and making me want to crawl under the table- who had now become my roommate. She kept whispering things like, “You’re not smart enough,” or, “Don’t try that—you might fail.” (As if failure is the worst thing in the world. Spoiler: it’s not.)
However, when I developed a growth mindset it felt like my cheerleader friend who hypes me up, even when I spilled tea on my shirt five minutes before I gave a great speech, moved in with me. She kept saying, “Hey, you’re learning! Keep going!” It’s annoyingly optimistic but surprisingly effective.
So this is how I approach life now.
I find humor in my Growth
Here’s the thing no one told me about adopting a growth mindset: it’s messy. And hilarious. You’ll try things, fail spectacularly, laugh at yourself, and then try again. At the time I decided to take up morning walks, at first it felt like my entire body was falling apart, each time it hurt so bad, I could have given up. Instead, I leaned into the humor of it all. Because really, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, what’s the point?
How I Cultivated My Growth Mindset
So, how did I adopt this magical mindset that turns failures into stepping stones? I started small:
I Embrace My Challenges
When life throws me curveballs, I catch them. Or at least try. (And if I miss, well, now I’ve got a story to tell.)
I Now Talk to Myself Like a Best Friend
I stopped being my own worst critic. I replaced “I’m such an idiot” with “Hey, I’m learning.” Bonus points if I add a little humor to it.. You should hear me with me, such gentle conversations.
I Celebrate Every Win
Burned toast? At least I didn’t set the kitchen on fire. That’s progress!
I Surround myself with Growth-Minded People
Yes, I have my own Amen! corner, who encourages me to keep going and we do it over snacks, a glass of juice, and lots of laughs.
Remember, Failure is Funny
Seriously. When I look back at my epic gym failures, I laugh. Because those moments, frustrating as they were, shaped who I am today: someone who’s not afraid to try, fail, and try again.
Final Thoughts
I get it—changing your mindset isn’t easy. It’s frustrating, awkward, and often downright funny. But it’s worth it. Because with a growth mindset, you’re no longer defined by your failures. You’re defined by how you rise above them.
So, if you’re tired of being stuck in the same place, let’s talk. Together, we’ll laugh at your mistakes, celebrate your wins, and unlock the potential that’s been waiting inside you all along.
Let’s face it: life’s too short to let a stubborn mindset hold you back. It’s time to evict that bad roommate and make room for a new way of thinking—one that’s a little kinder, a little funnier, and a whole lot more empowering.