What does a growth mindset actually mean in real life? And how do you apply it to your life so that it becomes more than just another motivational quote on social media?
In this article, I’ll break down what a growth mindset really is, how it’s different from a fixed mindset, and most importantly, how to actually turn it into a lifestyle that brings you fulfillment.
What is Growth Mindset?
Your mindset shapes how you think, and, therefore, decide and act. That’s why it’s so important to understand it, and even more important is to intentionally cultivate it.
Growth mindset is a core belief that your personality, skills, talents, and intelligence aren’t set in stone. They can grow and evolve over time. Growth mindset is a lifestyle rather than something you only switch on occasionally.
The term “Growth Mindset” was coined by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck. A growth mindset means seeing challenges as opportunities, mistakes as lessons, and failures as stepping stones to mastery.
In contrast to the idea that you’re either “good” or “bad” at something, a growth mindset says, “I’m not there yet, but I can improve.”
And here’s the good news: if you have the intention to transform it, your mindset is something you can train and adjust to serve your needs and achieve your goals. If you are not intentional about it, your mindset can still shift, but under external influences, such as family, friends, and society.
This mindset isn’t about being overly positive or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about curiosity, persistence, and willingness to grow.
Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
To simplify the explanation, let’s contrast two extremes: growth and fixed mindsets.
Remember, in real life, it is never black and white—we all have a mix of both. You might find it easy to apply growth mindset principles in some areas of your life, while still maintaining a fixed mindset in others. For example, you might be proactive in your development at work, and at the same time, in your relationships, you feel stuck or hopeless. That’s normal.
So, what’s the difference between a growth and a fixed mindset? People with a growth mindset are convinced that they can learn and develop in any area of their interest. On the contrary, people with a fixed mindset think that talents are inborn and that people are not capable of improving their skills and intelligence much throughout their lives.
Another important difference is the attitude to challenges and problems. Seeing problems as challenges and opportunities to learn is a core trait of a growth mindset. In contrast, a fixed mindset tends to focus on the negative aspects of difficulties, highlight mistakes, and lead to discouragement.
As a result, a fixed mindset keeps you stuck. A growth mindset moves you forward.
Examples of Growth Mindset
In Career:
Fixed: “I’ll never get promoted.”
Growth: “What skills do I need to develop to level up?”
Tip: Ask for feedback from someone you trust. Remember, feedback is an opinion of the person who gives it—use what helps, let go of what doesn’t. Identify relevant skill gaps and set small goals to improve them.
In Learning:
Fixed: “I’m terrible at languages.”
Growth: “I haven’t found the right way to learn yet.”
Tip: Reflect on your learning journey so far, what’s worked for you in the past, and what you would like to improve. Think about your motivation to learn this language or skill. A strong purpose will help you stay consistent with your goal.
In Relationships:
Fixed: “I always mess things up.”
Growth: “I can learn healthier ways to communicate and connect.”
Tip: What feedback have you heard about your communication style? Identify the improvement potential and start practicing your skills in a safe environment. For example, practice active listening with a friend if this is something you want to improve.
In Health:
Fixed: “I’ll never stick to a fitness routine.”
Growth: “It’s hard right now, but I can experiment to find something I enjoy.”
Tip: Start with short workouts to discover what feels good, then build a new fitness habit gradually. Set small, realistic goals and celebrate your achievements.
As you see, the key is to change the perspective and look at your concern or problem as a challenge and feel empowered to change it.
8 Practical Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset
Here’s how you can start cultivating a growth mindset and make it part of your lifestyle:
1. Notice Your Inner Dialogue
Your thoughts are powerful. When you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t…” or “I’ll never…,” pause. Think about what you would say to a friend in this situation. Then say it to yourself.
Your beliefs about yourself and others define your inner dialogue. Get familiar with your limiting beliefs that stifle your growth. Remember, solely shifting your inner perspective can change how you act and think about everything around you.
2. Add “Yet”
One little word can change everything. “I don’t understand this yet.” “I can’t do this yet.” It opens the door to growth and new opportunities instead of closing it.
3. Accept Mistakes
Mistakes aren’t signs of failure, they’re evidence that you’re acting. In fact, mistakes provide valuable experience and learning. Accept them as part of the learning and development process.
4. Seek Feedback
Listen for constructive feedback from people you trust. Treat it like an opportunity to get to know something new and improve. The more you learn, the more you grow.
5. Shift Focus from Outcome to Progress
Instead of chasing perfect results, focus on the path to get there. Every day actions is what creates growth and real progress. Visualising the results you want is important, and even more important is to get up and do something to achieve your goal.
6. Surround Yourself with Growth-Oriented People
Mindsets are contagious. Spend time with people who challenge, inspire, and support you and your goals.
7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Every step forward counts. Recognize your wins, even the small ones, you don’t need to wait for the big win to feel proud. With gradual progress over time, you will be able to build momentum.
8. Embrace the Transformation
Your brain is capable of rewiring itself through experience. The more you reinforce a new mindset, the stronger it becomes. It works both ways: change your thoughts, and your actions and decisions will follow, or adjust your actions, and your mindset will shift in turn.
Final Thoughts on Growth Mindset
Growth mindset is not a one-time decision, it is a consistent effort, it’s a lifestyle. It’s like everything in personal development, it takes time, and it is a lifelong process. It’s important to commit to achieving results.
So the next time you hit a wall, ask yourself: What can I learn here?
Remember to take it easy, and you will figure it out step by step!
