How do you
develop a growth mindset?
Every time we come up with something new, learn something new, or choose a different emotion, we are essentially forging a new path through the jungle of our brains. If we stay on this path, our brains will start using it more often. The path becomes a highway. The new way of thinking, doing, or feeling becomes ‘normal’. The old path is used less often, weakens, or becomes overgrown. Some people are naturally good at this; they probably have a growth mindset. Fortunately, we can all learn this. How?
There are two types of mindsets
First, let’s look at the two types of mindsets: ways of thinking. The fixed mindset and the growth mindset. People with a predominantly fixed mindset believe qualities like intelligence and talent are set traits that can’t be developed. You are who you are and: ‘that’s just how you are’.
People who mostly have a growth mindset are convinced that they can develop their abilities, particularly through dedication and hard work. Intelligence and talent are, in their eyes, just starting points for further development of their personality, intelligence, and talents.
Be aware of your own beliefs
Almost no one has a growth mindset in everything they do by nature. Sometimes you are focused on growth in certain activities, while in others you hold yourself back. It’s important to ask yourself in everything you do whether your beliefs are helpful or limiting. An example of a fixed mindset: ‘This is too difficult for me.’ While the growth mindset thinks: ‘This takes a lot of practice.’ Train yourself to develop a mindset that sees possibilities.
Focus on the process instead of the result
By nature, we tend to reward ourselves and others when we’ve done something well. If you naturally do something well, you get a lot of compliments for it. But what happens when you’re not as good at something? If you get rewarded for what you already do well, the following reasoning develops: ‘If I’m good at something, people think I’m smart and I get compliments.’ And then: ‘If I struggle with something, people think I’m dumb.’
So don’t give compliments when something already goes smoothly. Instead, reward people when they work hard to achieve something. This way, you ‘plant’ the belief: Making an effort leads to growth and development. That helps foster a growth mindset.
Learn from mistakes
How do you deal with mistakes? Do you have someone in mind who is a role model for you? Someone who speaks positively about their own mistakes or the mistakes others make. This way, making mistakes is seen as a normal part of the learning process. It also creates the courage to take risks and seek out challenges. Self-confidence isn’t shaken when a mistake is made. When something goes wrong, you can calmly look at it instead of sweeping the mistake under the rug or blaming others.
Growth mindset as a way of thinking
A growth mindset is the right way of thinking to reinvent yourself every day as a better version. But it’s also essential for better teamwork every day, finding more joy in your work, and continually developing yourself.
