GROWTH MINDSET

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3 min read

Cultivating a growth mindset

 

You might have heard the term growth mindset as a buzzword but what does it really mean? Having a growth mindset is when people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

On the other hand, a fixed mindset is one where people believe that their abilities are innate and static. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to achieve more than those with a fixed mindset because they channel their energy into learning instead of appearing smart or gifted.

When we face challenges and meet with circumstances that make us doubt our performance at work, we may fall into this trap where we become insecure about ourselves. As a defence mechanism, we are inclined to trigger a fixed mindset within us because it might be easier to convince ourselves that we don’t have what it takes to have done better.

However, we can learn to control and suppress the fixed mindset from propagating and taking over us. Just like preventing weeds from taking over a garden, we can cultivate a growth mindset as a plant cover - but it takes time and effort.

 

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To cultivate a growth mindset, we need to first introspect to gain some form of self-awareness. You might want to reflect on the following:

 

  1. Think of one ability that you have that you are most confident of. Do you think that it is an innate (part of your nature) or that it is acquired through effort (nurtured)?

  2. Think of one ability that you are the least confident of. Do you think that it is an innate (part of your nature) or that it is acquired through effort (nurtured)?
One action to try tomorrow

 

 

A simple way to start is to simply notice our own reactions to challenging situations and respond to them differently. Consider the following steps:

  1. Question how you are reacting to something in the moment - is what you are doing holding you back?

  2. Take a step back and ask yourself:
    - Is there room for learning?
    - Can you put away the self-doubt and find opportunities to advance yourself further?

  3. Use the Power of Yet. Instead of saying “I can’t do this”, say “I can’t do this yet, but how can I do this in the future?”

 

 

“

It is not how good you are, it is how good you want to be” 

 

– Paul Arden

 

 

 

 

It is helpful to think about how to set better goals and how goal setting motivates you.

Here are other suggested readings for you:

 

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