Cultivating a Growth Mindset

The Growth Mindset

Do you ever…

• Feel threatened by the success of others?

• Stick to participating in activities that you’re already good at?

• Do whatever you can to avoid failing?

• Let fear of rejection stop you from pursuing new opportunities or asking for things you want?

• Feel uncomfortable receiving feedback or use negative feedback against yourself as evidence of your flaws or shortcomings?

• Believe that you are a certain type of person and there is not much that you can do to change that?

• Think that your worth is based on what other people think of you?

**If you do , just know this: It’s all so common and you are not alone. **

Growth Vs. Fixed Mindset

Dr. Carol Dweck's mindset concept spans two main categories: GROWTH MINDSET and FIXED MINDSET.

In a Growth Mindset, individuals believe they can develop abilities through effort and embrace challenges. In other words - success is based on hard work and failure is part of the process. In contrast, a Fixed Mindset sees qualities as unchangeable and avoids challenges to evade failure.

It's important to note that mindset tends to fall on a spectrum, and you may find yourself to have a more growth or fixed mindset in certain activities.

Research indicates that some people become more fixed in their mindset as they age or advance in their careers. This can hinder growth by causing them to avoid challenging situations or opportunities. For example, as you progress in your healthcare or professional career, you might find yourself refraining from taking part in projects, or pursuing new ventures or experiences if you aren't 100% sure that you will succeed. Ironically, this restricts your professional and personal growth.

Here is something amazing to know: the brain's adaptability, known as neuroplasticity, allows it to change and improve throughout life in response to learning and experiences. When we introduce opportunities for growth and learning, our performance soars. We are capable of learning new things, no matter how old we are or how long we have been working in a particular career or role.

It is so important to DECIDE how to think about failures and difficulties. What will you make these experiences mean? When something feels hard or challenging, does this mean you are lacking something or not smart? Or can you make adversity, setbacks, or knowledge gaps mean the exact opposite - that you are capable and resilient?

Will you use challenges as an opportunity to grow? That is the big question to ask yourself.