10 simple and fun tips to build a growth mindset
These days, we hear a lot about having a growth mindset. But what exactly does this mean and how in the world do we build one?
If you have no idea what a growth mindset actually is, you’ll want to read this post, "What is a Growth Mindset?" before continuing on.
If you already have a solid understanding and you’re looking for practical, simple and fun, (yes, fun!) ways to develop a growth mindset, you’re in the perfect place!
10 simple and fun Tips to build a Growth Mindset
1. Use The power of visualization
Visualization is a powerful tool you can use to develop a growth mindset.
Imagine yourself on a familiar, well-worn hiking trail. The path is clear and free from debris. You find it simple to move forward because you can easily see where the path is.
Can you picture it?
Now imagine that this well-worn path is packed with negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. This path represents a fixed mindset.
You decide that you REALLY want to take a new trail - you're bored and weary on the fixed mindset path. You look around and unfortunately, there are no other well-marked paths within sight.
But then it dawns on you.
You can create a new path on your own! You can develop a new hiking trail that nobody has taken before. At first, you can’t detect a path at all because none exists yet! But as you start to remove debris and slowly make progress, you begin to see the promise of an actual path.
The elevation gain is brutal. Your legs feel like jello and your chest is burning as you huff and puff. The dedication required to keep showing up, clearing debris, and creating a new path is demanding. You have plenty of low moments and times where you feel completely defeated.
You doubt your strength and dedication.
What's the point?
But despite your doubts, you persist and eventually, you see an actual path beginning to emerge. You spot glimpses of breathtaking scenery and feel proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Here’s the really exciting thing: The whole time that you've been working on intentionally clearing a new path, (growth mindset) your old path, (fixed mindset) has started to grow over and become less visible.
Your dedicated practice and consistency has transformed your fixed mindset. There has been a shift. Time goes by and with sustained practice and consistency, you find yourself solidly on the fixed mindset path.
This is a great way to visualize a growth mindset!
Give it a try! Spend a few minutes each day using visualization to help you imagine your growth mindset in the making!
2. notice real-life Examples of a Growth Mindset
Think of someone in your life who has overcome a significant challenge. A person who has faced a difficult circumstance and decided to face it head-on.
Maybe your good friend just went through a tough divorce.
Or your neighbor was just laid off.
Or your co-worker recently received a scary health diagnosis.
Think about examples where the person has done their best to learn and grow while navigating whatever challenging circumstances they’ve been going through.
Feel free to look for examples of people you don't actually know in real life!
These could be famous people you admire or fictional characters in some of your favorite books or movies.
Anytime someone has felt like they were facing an insurmountable task but opted to press forward despite feeling unsure and ill-equipped, they have expressed a desire for growth.
Note: We all experience feelings of discouragement, exhaustion, and overwhelm. Sometimes given our circumstances, we have moments when it feels impossible to move forward with determination and positivity. During these times it's important to take a break, rest when possible, and regroup before pressing on.
Consider people you know, (or know of) who have demonstrated a growth mindset.
3. remember, "Practice Makes Better"
You know the saying, “Practice makes perfect”? The intention is good but this statement is packed with a lot of pressure!
How about saying, “Practice makes better” instead?
I have been saying this to myself for many years. It reminds me that perfection is an illusion and that true growth requires hard work, dedication, consistency, and the willingness to make mistakes.
Our goal is growth and improvement, not perfection!
Having high standards and goals isn't a bad thing but the desire for perfection can be paralyzing. So many of us to fall into the trap of perfectionism. Then we convince ourselves certain opportunities aren't worth pursuing because we’re scared that we won't be perfect.
Perfectionism can be a trap.
You might want to write "Practice Makes Better!" on a post-it note and stick it to your bathroom mirror so you can see it first thing in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Record yourself saying it on your phone and press 'play' a few times a day.
Remember to use the words "Practice makes better!"
4. add the word "YET" to the end of your sentences
When you find yourself saying "I don’t know how to do that!", say it again but this time add a "yet" to the end of the sentence.
So "I don't know how to do that!" becomes, "I don’t know how to do that YET."
This little three-letter word is packed with a lot of power!
In fact, I have a hard time thinking of another word with as much potential for growth as the word YET.
Make a conscious effort to add the word yet to any self-limiting or defeating things that you say to yourself!
Practice this positive self-talk and gradually it will become second nature to include the word YET at the end of your sentences!
5. stop saying "I can't"
It’s hard to think of more disempowering words than "I can't!"
Talk about a fixed mindset!
Instead of falling into the victim mentality of "I can't", trying saying "I choose not to right now" or "I'll try again later" instead.
Banish the words "I can't" from your vocabulary!
6. Embrace Your Mistakes
Most of us hate making mistakes, right? We want to feel and appear confident and capable. But the truth is that mistakes are ESSENTIAL to our learning, development, and growth as human beings.
Once we accept that mistakes are inevitable, we can view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. This opens up a world of possibilities! It also allows the freedom to experiment, take risks, and improve our problem-solving skills.
What if you were to celebrate your mistakes and identify the lessons you’ve learned from them?
What if you could recognize times when your mistakes provided creativity, adventure, and delight?
Embrace your mistakes and watch growth unfold!
7. Reach out for support
While a growth mindset requires that we embrace challenge and growth, it doesn't mean we need to do it alone.
We all experience times of confusion, overwhelm, and fear. During these times it’s essential that we reach out for support.
Reaching out to friends, family, your partner, a coach, or a therapist are all ways to support yourself when things get tough.
When you need it, be gentle with yourself, and be sure to reach out for support.
8. Try Meditation
A consistent meditation practice can help a lot with developing a growth mindset.
If you’ve dismissed meditation in the past because you can't imagine yourself being able to sit still and silence the thoughts in your head, you’re in luck!
Because even just a few minutes of intentional breathing on a consistent basis helps with focus. And if you’re picturing yourself sitting in a lotus position on the floor, let me assure you that there are many different ways to meditate!
To help silence negative thoughts and self-talk, give meditation a try.
9. List your Accomplishments
Identify times in your life when you’ve incorporated a growth mindset to accomplish something significant.
Then list these accomplishments on a piece of paper so you can see them right in front of you.
Reflect on your accomplishments when you’re feeling overwhelmed and uninspired.
10. Make time to Play!
As adults, we often lose the ability to play. Life can feel really serious and packed with constant responsibilities.
But play is critical to our overall well-being!
This means we must be intentional in carving out time to simply play. The ability to laugh at ourselves and not take ourselves so seriously is essential to our well-being.
So turn up the music and dance around your living room. Grab a pad of paper and do some sketching. Plan a night out with friends. Go for a hike.
Whenever you possibly can remember to prioritize play!
To summarize, here are 10 simple and fun tips to build a growth mindset:
Use the Power of Visualization
Notice Real-Life Examples of a Growth Mindset
Remember, "Practice Makes Better"
Add the Word "Yet" to the End of Your Sentences
Stop saying "I Can't"
Embrace Your Mistakes
Reach Out for Support
Try Meditation
List Your Accomplishments
Make Time to Play!
I hope that these Growth Mindset Tips offer encouragement as you continue to learn and grow!
Want help developing these 10 tips to build your own growth mindset? Let’s connect for a complimentary 20-minute consultation and see if coaching is right for you. There’s never any pressure or obligation, just a great way for us to connect!
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