We know that mindset can influence success and outcomes in almost all facets of our lives.

Those with growth mindsets (over fixed mindsets) believe that their abilities and talents can be cultivated and improved over time and experience. Which can then often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

But practically speaking, how can we cultivate a growth mindset?

1. Reframe challenges.

   See challenges as unique opportunities to showcase your skill or to learn a new one. See them as opportunities for professional and/or personal growth.

   • Even if you don’t possess the skills to overcome the challenge right away, trust that you can learn or develop them given some time and resources.

   • Sometimes a challenge is actually a blessing, because it may showcase you in a way that you didn’t know (and others didn’t know) was possible. 

2. Fail forward.

   Failure is failure only if there was no learning lesson, right?. Many successful individuals (across many sectors), have failed far many more times than they have succeeded.

   • See failure as a step closer to your goal. Don’t beat yourself up. 

3. Care less what people think.

   When we are preoccupied with others’ opinions of us, we tend to be more self-conscious in the way we think, speak, and ask questions. Our discourse and body language changes, and we may not be natural confident ourselves. Worrying about “looking stupid” can also actually hinder learning, and discourage you from asking a question.

   • It is very difficult to actually implement this (especially if you have a hierarchical work environment), because on some level, you do need to be perceived positively. But do this by outputting high quality work, and not by ruminating over how you are perceived when you speak, walk, etc.

   • Constantly seeking approval or people pleasing can cause you to compromise your own growth and learning. 

4. Cultivate resilience and grit.

Resilience is arguably a skill/muscle we can develop and hone over time (not unlike a hamstring or a quad), rather than an intrinsic trait. There will undoubtedly be personal and professional setbacks in life, and learning to deal with these constructively is a component of growth mindset.

5. Take measured risks.

We often don’t pursue a challenge or “risk” because we feel that it may be outside our realm of ability. Take the risk (within reason of course), and see it as a learning process, rather than a binary (successful versus unsuccessful).

6. Ask for feedback.

Constructive feedback from a trusted advisor can really help you understand areas where you need to grow and improve. It can also point out your strengths. Of course, you do need to be selective about who you receive feedback from.

7. Self-reflection.

Understanding your why, your purpose, and your behavioral inclinations can give you a lot of insight.

• Understanding your own reactions and behaviors can enable you to handle situations better the next time around.

8. Read.
This might seem like an odd recommendation, but it is an activity that can actually broaden your skillset. When you read, you indirectly crowdsource.

• Irrespective of genre (memoirs, personal development books, etc), you are able to see how other individuals have dealt with hardships and developed methods for success. You can find some of my favorites here.  

Remember to realign your thoughts periodically for a growth mentality!