We hear about fixed mindsets and growth mindsets often and, because it can be hard to differentiate – and particularly hard to know exactly how to implement a change from fixed to growth – here is an overview for you, followed by some actions you can take to develop and sharpen your growth mindset.
Having a fixed mindset usually means that you believe that the personal qualities, talents and intelligence we are born with are unchangeable. This means that if you are not good at something, you are likely to think that you will never be good at it – so no point in giving it a go, especially if you think that you are likely to fail because you might not be good enough and…….. others might notice and think less of you. A fixed mindset contributes to fear of failing including avoiding challenges and new experiences that might support your personal and professional growth.
Having a growth mindset means that you believe that you can develop new skills, knowledge, talents and behaviours with practice and effort and that you are open to learning. Your growth mindset contributes to your desire to try something new which in turn fuels your motivation, resilience and sense of achievement. Your growth mindset sees the lessons in every experience, building wisdom, new ideas, confidence, beliefs and new ways of doing things.
You can cultivate a growth mindset. You will need to be deliberate about it. By that I mean consistent action is required.
Check out these 5 examples of how you can shift to and sharpen your Growth Mindset:
- Cultivate a mind which is open to all possibilities. Japanese Zen philosophy calls this a “beginners mind” where you are open to learning new things daily. Ask yourself this question – I wonder what could be possible if I ………?
- Actively shift your focus from the challenges of new information or skills or behaviours to the benefits by focusing on how you will benefit from experiencing these – especially when it is things that don’t appeal to you much like doing your financial records or reading a technical book to get some background knowledge.
- Regularly reflect on and challenge your existing beliefs, assumptions and biases. Test them out with new people, against changing circumstances and new experiences. Open you mind to conversations about a different perspective and to the possibility of shifting your thinking.
- Notice how often you tell yourself what you “should” be able to do. Why? Because you are taking a fixed view of yourself and your abilities. Move into a curious space and give yourself permission to try something new.
- Embrace imperfection by acknowledging that every single one of us has flaws, something that is weird about us and that we are weird about and that these very things are what make each of us gloriously uniquely us.
Some powerful questions to inform your reflection are:
- What might be possible if I gave myself permission to learn through a glorious failure?
- What might I learn if I gave myself permission, and the opportunity, to try something new, that I know I will not be great at immediately?
- What learnings and new experiences would I then be able to access?
- What is one thing you could do to deliberately cultivate your growth mindset? What is one more thing you could deliberately do to cultivate your growth mindset?
Cultivating a growth mindset requires openness, the desire to achieve something more, self awareness, curiosity and the willingness to be vulnerable in new learning situations.
There will never be a better time than right now for you to develop and sharpen your Growth Mindset.
There are many different ways that you can work with me including my Deliberate Re-Set program, one on one coaching packages and team coaching. Drop me a note if you would like more information. xx