What is a Growth Mindset and 5 Practical Tips on How to Cultivate It

 What do you think is the key to success in any area of life? What is one thing that can give you massive success in every area of your life? Yes, it's true, there is one such thing, and in this blog, I'm going to talk about this amazing thing and will share 5 practical tips on how you can cultivate it to achieve all your goals.

In this blog, I'm going to talk about something that's really important for achieving success in any area of life - a Growth Mindset. For those of you who don't know what that is, don't worry, I'll explain it all in a minute. But first, let me ask you a question. Are you the type of person who gives up when things get tough, or are you the type of person who keeps pushing forward? If you want to be successful, then you need to have a growth mindset.

But What exactly is it?

What is a growth mindset, and where did it come from

A growth mindset is a belief that your intelligence and abilities can be developed and improved with time and effort. It's the opposite of a fixed mindset, which is the belief that your abilities are predetermined, and you can't do much to change them. Both fixed and growth mindsets are two faces of the same coin, just like a head or a tail.

The term growth mindset was coined by American psychologist Professor Carol Dweck in her 2006 book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Her studies in social psychology show that those who believe they can develop their talents tend to achieve more than those who feel their abilities are innate and fixed. Dweck's research further elaborated that people with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere in the face of setbacks and achieve their goals. As Professor Dweck explains it: "Those with a growth mindset see opportunities instead of obstacles, choosing to challenge themselves to learn more rather than sticking in their comfort zone." A growth mindset has since been adopted by educators and organizations as a way to promote personal development and success. growth mindset has also been shown to benefit students, employees, and athletes.

There's no doubt that a growth mindset is here to stay but let's talk about whether the growth mindset is just another fancy word or if it is actually that important to be successful.

The benefits of having a growth mindset

Having a growth mindset has been shown to have a plethora of benefits, both professionally and personally. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to be more open to feedback and are more likely to take on challenging tasks. They also tend to persevere in the face of setbacks and view failure as an opportunity for learning. In the workplace, growth-mindset employees are more engaged and tend to be more successful than their fixed-mindset counterparts. In an academic setting, some studies have shown that academic performance influences students’ mindsets which then creates a positive feedback loop. In terms of personal development, people with a growth mindset are more likely to set goals and take steps to achieve them. They are also more resilient and adaptable, qualities that can come in handy in all areas of life. So if you're looking to improve your career or personal life, developing a growth mindset is a great place to start for anyone at any stage of their life, be it a student, entrepreneur, a 20-year-old, or 50 year old, it is for everyone.

I am sure by now you must be thinking, How to?

How to cultivate a growth mindset in yourself and your children

A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and continual learning. The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset - it is focused on believing that abilities are innate and fixed from birth. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow instead of as threats to their egos. They are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks, and they view failure as a stepping stone to success.

Cultivating a growth mindset in yourself and/or your children requires a conscious effort to change the way you think about intelligence and ability. When you catch yourself making fixed mindset statements ("I'm not good at math") or comparing yourself unfavorably to others ("She's a natural born leader"), take a step back and reframe your thinking. Remind yourself that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that intelligence is not static, it can be developed over time with effort. Help yourself see mistakes as learning opportunities and praise yourself for your hard work and effort instead of your natural abilities. Even if you are reading this blog for someone else, maybe your children, do the same thing with your children, help them see mistakes as learning opportunities, and praise them for their hard work and effort instead of their natural abilities. By cultivating a growth mindset, you can set the stage for a lifetime of learning and success.

I am sure by now you have understood that one of the most popular buzzwords in the personal development world is Growth Mindset. But the question is, how can you develop it? Let me share five practical tips:

5 Practical Tips for Developing a growth mindset

1. Recognize that intelligence is not fixed.

This is the first step to developing a growth mindset. If you believe that intelligence is something that you're born with and can't be changed, then you'll be less likely to challenge yourself and strive for growth. However, if you recognize that intelligence can be developed through hard work and effort, then you'll be more motivated to put in the work and see results. In one line, Believe in yourself - You need to have confidence in your ability to learn and grow.

2. Embrace challenges

A growth mindset means that you see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than as roadblocks. When you're faced with a difficult task, instead of getting discouraged, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. In one line, Don't be afraid to make mistakes - A growth mindset means embracing mistakes and learning from them.

3. Be persistent

People with a growth mindset don't give up easily. They understand that failures are part of the learning process and are motivated to keep going even when things get tough. You must Persevere - It's not always going to be easy, but keep pushing through, and you will see results.

4. Be open to feedback

If you want to grow, you need to be open to feedback. Feedback can be painful, but it's essential for growth. Try to take an objective view of feedback and use it to improve your performance. Not just feedback, but Be open to new ideas - Learning is a continuous process, so be willing to try new things and learn from your experiences.

5. Have a growth mindset about your growth mindset!

Just like any other skill, developing a growth mindset takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately - keep practicing and refining your approach, and eventually, you'll develop the growth mindset that you desire. It's like going to a gym, you go for a day, nothing happens, you go for a week, still nothing, a month, no visible results. It takes 3-4 months to see some results, this is exactly what happens with personal growth, with your Mindset. And yes, when you see some progress, make sure to Celebrate your successes - Remember that progress is progress, no matter how small it may seem. Be proud of the steps you take toward developing a growth mindset, and don't forget to enjoy the journey!

Now, this brings me to a really essential point in developing a growth mindset.

The importance of failure in the learning process

Everyone wants to look smart, and that's why we want to avoid failure, but Failure is an essential part of the learning process. Without it, we would never know what doesn't work, and we would never be able to improve. However, in order to truly benefit from failure, it's important to have the right mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and ability can be developed through hard work and perseverance. As a result, they see failure not as a measure of their worth but as an opportunity to learn and grow. On the other hand, people with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence and ability are fixed traits that cannot be changed. They see failure as a reflection of their personal inadequacies, which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration. Clearly, the growth mindset is more conducive to learning from failure. So next time you fail, remember that it's not the end of the world. It's just an opportunity to grow.

And yes, two of the top ingredients that make a great recipe for a growth mindset are Praise and Acknowledgment. These two are very important, but the question is why?

Why praise and acknowledgment are important for fostering a growth mindset

Words are powerful, and the way we use them can have a tremendous impact on the people who hear us speaking.

Now think about it, if we're constantly being told that we're not good enough, it's only natural that we'll start to believe it. However, the role of praise and acknowledgment goes far beyond simply providing motivation. In fact, research has shown that praising efforts rather than talents and abilities is one of the most effective ways to foster a growth mindset. For example, Praise on ability is: “You did very well, you must be smart at these problems.” vs Praise on effort: “You did very well, you must have worked hard at these problems.”

When we focus on praising effort, we send the message that personal development is within our control. As a result, we're more likely to persevere in the face of adversity and take risks that lead to growth. So next time you're tempted to give someone a superficial compliment, take a moment to think about how you can process praise for their effort instead. It could make all the difference in their journey toward personal development.

Anyone who has ever embarked on a journey of personal development knows that growth doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process that requires consistency and effort. Perhaps most importantly, it also requires feedback. That's why praise and acknowledgment are so important for fostering a growth mindset. When we receive positive feedback, it reinforces our belief that we are capable of growth and change. It reminds us that our efforts are not going unnoticed. And it gives us the motivation to keep going, even when the going gets tough. So if you're looking to foster a growth mindset in yourself or others, don't forget the power of praise and acknowledgment. They just might be the key to unlocking limitless potential. And I believe it is our duty as humans to appreciate and acknowledge. So many people are trapped with judgments, expectations, and competition that they have forgotten to praise, acknowledge, and be kind, be compassionate. To me, these are the qualities that define a good human, not your marks, or job title or your business income. We must teach everyone, especially the younger generation, these qualities to be humble, kind, and compassionate, as that is what makes us great humans.

So, to sum up,

A growth mindset (or growth mindsets) is a relatively new concept that has been gaining traction in recent years. The term was first coined by psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, who observed that some children tended to give up easily when faced with difficulty while others kept trying until they succeeded. She found that the difference between these two groups of children was not due to innate ability but rather their belief in intelligence and ability. Those with a growth mindset believed that intelligence could be developed through hard work and effort, while those with a fixed mindset believed that intelligence (or a certain amount of intelligence) was static and unchangeable.

The benefits of having a growth mindset are well documented. People with a growth mindset tend to be more successful in life than those with a fixed mindset (or fixed mindsets). They are more likely to achieve their goals and persist in the face of setbacks. They also learn better and faster than those with a fixed mindset.

Remember to change your mindset, and don't leave your life to Chance.

Author: Shirish Gupta

Shirish is a TEDx Speaker, Entrepreneur & Youth Mentor. Shirish runs a highly successful Youtube Channel (shirishgee). He has been featured on National television multiple times and has won the prestigious Philip Kotler Award. Shirish is on a mission to mentor today’s Youth and create a ripple effect of positive impact across the planet. He believes that the Youth have a unique opportunity to Build an 'Xtraordinary Life' for themselves and make a positive global change. 

We are the new school of change-makers looking to build a great life and great a positive impact through our work and life. Join the tribe and build your Best Life today! Shirish calls it your Xtraordinary Life :)