Having a growth mindset is essential, especially for entrepreneurs.
Cultivating this type of mindset helps you go through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. But what exactly is a growth mindset?
In this article, we share with you what it means to have a growth mindset and tips to start cultivating one.
What Is a Growth Mindset?
There are a variety of mindsets, both positive and negative. Each type of mindset can either hurt or improve one's well-being.
A growth mindset is defined as the belief that our basic skills, talents, and abilities can all be developed and improved. This is done through commitment and hard work.
For people without a growth mindset (fixed mindset), they don't exert the needed effort in order to continuously improve. So, they remain stuck.
On the other hand, someone with a growth mindset is able to achieve long-term goals due to several qualities of having this mindset. Having this type of mindset benefits not only your professional life but as well as your personal, emotional, and relational life.
Now that we've understood what this type of mindset is, what people really want to know is how to develop one.
So, how do you know if you do or don't have this type of mindset?
Do You Have A Growth Mindset?
Do you believe that you were born with a fixed set of skills and talents? Or do you believe that you are an ever-evolving being who can develop new talents and skills?
If you answered yes to the second question, then congratulations! You are on the right track towards cultivating a growth mindset.
People who have a growth mindset know that with hard work, dedication, and continuous learning, you can build and improve your skills and talents. Additionally, your beliefs, ideas, and knowledge are ever-changing and ever-evolving. And that's a good thing!
But on the other hand, if you answered yes to the first question, then don't worry.
If you currently have more of a fixed mindset, keep reading to find out how you can cultivate a growth mindset.
Why Does It Matter?
Having a fixed mindset can mean giving up when life presents you with challenges. Additionally, those with fixed mindsets may fear making mistakes that can hinder them from progress. When you avoid mistakes, you also avoid new experiences and challenges that help you grow and develop into better versions of yourself.
On the other hand, when one has a growth mindset, one enjoys taking on challenges. This is because they value learning more than succeeding. They also don't give too much importance to other people's opinions of them.
Additionally, those who foster a growth mindset love to try new things. This opens them up to new experiences, new people, and new ways of life.
To understand and know if you have either a fixed or growth mindset, here are the key differences between the two.
Key Differences Between “Fixed” and “Growth” Mindset
1. Effort AND RESILIENCE
People who have a fixed mindset don't like the thought of doing hard work. When faced with challenges that require work, they shy away or make excuses. On the other hand, someone with a growth mindset knows the importance of effort, resilience, and hard work.
It's not that people with fixed mindsets are lazy, but they would rather find an easier way out rather than face the hard work that is needed.
2. dealing with challenges and failures
A person with a fixed mindset usually shies away from challenges. They also try to avoid failure as much as possible. They feel embarrassed and fear what other people may think of them when they make mistakes.
In contrast, someone with a growth mindset finds challenges exciting and as a learning opportunity. They also see failure as a necessary part of success. They don't avoid or fear failure but they also do what they can to lessen the chances whenever possible.
3. Feedback
Someone with a fixed mindset casually gets defensive when they receive feedback. They tend to blame others and look for any other external factor rather than taking responsibility.
While the opposite person takes responsibility for their mistakes and uses constructive feedback to improve and learn. They see feedback and criticism as a way to help them improve their ability to do better next time. More importantly. the active person seeks and asks for feedback even without it being given. This is how they learn and grow.
With that being said, here are the steps that you can take to develop your growth mindset.
STEPS to Develop a Growth Mindset
Carol Dweck, author of the book Mindset has stated that understanding that our brains can change is a great place to start in order to cultivate a growth mindset.
1. embrace your flaws.
We are all imperfectly perfect. There is no such thing as perfection in the real world.
When you acknowledge and embrace your flaws, you learn to foster self-love and awareness. You don't try to hide your flaws but you also try to improve in areas that can be improved.
2. TAKE challenges as opportunities.
The past year has been difficult for everyone with the pandemic turning our world upside down. But people with a growth mindset see this challenge as an opportunity. They see it as a time for self-improvement.
Instead of blaming the world and asking why life is happening TO you, shift your mindset instead and say "life is happening FOR you."
Each challenge brings us a new adventure and opportunity to transform.
3. Try different learning tactics.
People with a growth mindset love learning. They are continuous learners and students of life.
Additionally, they know that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning. They accept that everyone learns differently, but it is the journey that's important.
Reading books is a great way to continuously learn and this is another habit of people with a growth mindset. They love to read and devour new knowledge.
4. see failures as learning opportunities
Whenever you make a mistake, don't see it as a mistake but rather a lesson learned. With success comes hundred and hundreds of failures behind the scenes. But without these mishaps, you wouldn't have reached your goal or become the person you are today.
5. Stop seeking EXTERNAL approval
It can be easy to be pulled into the comparison trap where we need to have external validation to feel good about ourselves. Social media has made it so much easier to fall into the trap.
Instead of seeking external approval, start looking within.
7. Value the JOURNEY over the end DESTINATION.
Life is about learning and enjoying the journey. When you learn to trust and value the journey instead of only focusing on the end result, you get to enjoy more, grow more, and be more.
8. Cultivate a sense of purpose.
People with a growth mindset value purpose. They see the bigger picture and look towards the future. They aren't short-sighted.
9. Pay attention to your words and thoughts
Our thoughts are very powerful. When we think negative thoughts, our feelings, emotions, and actions follow.
Although we can't control our thoughts 100% of the time, it's essential to learn to be conscious of what we think. By being conscious of your thoughts, you can also learn to just observe them without acting on them. This helps us most especially during heated or tough situations.
10. CHANGE YOUR Negative thoughts TO positive ones
When you turn your negative thinking patterns into more positive and uplifting ones, your thoughts and habits will follow.
In summary
A growth mindset means embracing challenges that life throws at you. It means being open to failure but also learning from each failure.
When you choose to cultivate a growth mindset, you get better results, better experiences, and a better life overall.
