Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Adults - An Essential Key to Career Success
Why Is a Growth Mindset Important for Adults?
A growth mindset for adults is important because it allows us to think “outside of the box” or “above the line.” I will talk more about these two expressions in another post. When we approach our goals and challenges from a place of opportunity and possibility rather than from a place of limitation or scarcity, then so much more becomes possible for us.
In this blog post I will outline the 5 characteristics of a growth mindset, list some good habits to nurture a growth mindset as well as discuss some writing prompts to support you on your journey.
What Are the Five Characteristics of a Growth Mindset?
Challenges
These can be a trigger for some people, so it is important that we pay attention to how we react when faced with life’s inevitable challenges. When people see goals, objectives or challenges as unattainable or insurmountable, they will automatically play small. Cultivating a growth mindset allows us to be flexible in our thinking and find creative solutions for achieving our goals. When we have a growth mindset, we perceive obstacles, hurdles and challenges as opportunities rather than problems that cannot be overcome.
Setbacks
Setbacks are commonplace and no one is immune to them. We cannot let setbacks derail us from achieving our end goal. Be creative! Leverage your mental agility. If there is a boulder in the way on this road here, how might I find a workaround to get me to where I want to go?
Hard work
Hard work is inevitable and those with a growth mindset don’t fear doing the heavy lift. They are not overwhelmed by the task at hand and they are ready to break it up into bite-sized, manageable chunks.
Feedback
Ask for feedback regularly and view the information you receive as a gift. This is an opportunity to get better, grow and learn. I have written extensively about how to give and receive feedback here.
The Success of Others – Comparitis
Comparing yourself to others stunts your growth. Be happy for those who have achieved great things and let that be your inspiration.
“What we resist, persists.”
How Do You Nurture a Growth Mindset?
Nurturing a growth mindset goes hand in hand with personal development, both of which require hard work. Below are a few things you can do to nourish your mind and set your thought in the right direction.
Read books or listen to podcasts that inspire and support growth mindset thinking
Write morning pages or a gratitude journal
Engage in regular self-reflection and meditation
Set growth mindset goals for yourself
Practice self-compassion
Neuroscience Growth Mindset
Adults with growth mindsets have what is called a “neuroplastic brain.” This means that the neural pathways in their brains are flexible and adaptable. They are able to rewire their thinking patterns and behaviours to better suit their goals. People with growth mindsets believe that they can improve with effort. They see setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow. They embrace challenges and view feedback as a way to get better.
The Science Behind a Growth Mindset
Numerous studies have shown that a growth mindset leads to increased motivation, improved learning outcomes, and better performance in various domains. A 2009 study found that students who had a growth mindset showed greater intrinsic interest and enjoyment of an activity, as well as greater persistence in the face of difficulty, than those with a fixed mindset. It also showed that people with growth mindsets are more likely to take on difficult challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and recover from failure.
In another 2013 study, researchers examined the relationship between growth mindset and academic achievement in a sample of 7th-grade students. The students who had a growth mindset showed higher grades and test scores than those with a fixed mindset. The growth mindset students also showed more improvement over the course of the school year.
A 2018 study found that growth mindset interventions can lead to improvements in academic achievement, especially for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study found that growth mindset interventions helped to reduce the achievement gap between high- and low-SES students by 50%.
Growth Mindset Phrases
When we have a growth mindset, we:
“Embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow.”
“Persist in the face of setbacks.”
“Believe that our intelligence can be developed.”
“See effort as the path to mastery.”
“Learn from criticism.”
“Find lessons and inspiration in the success of others.”
Growth Mindset Writing Prompts
Below are some writing prompts for journaling to get your juices flowing:
How have I grown and changed in the past year?
What am I most proud of?
What challenges have I overcome?
What did I learn from my setbacks?
What growth mindset habits do I want to cultivate?
Who are my growth mindset mentors and role models?
What books or resources inspire me to think with a growth mindset?
What did I learn today?
What was I intentional about…..
Growth Mindset Goals – Examples
I will read one growth mindset book per month
I will write in my gratitude journal every day
I will practice meditation for 10 minutes every day
I will take on one new challenge each month
I will ask for feedback regularly
I will celebrate the success of others
I will be a growth mindset coach for someone in my life
I will lead by example and cultivate a growth mindset in my workplace or home
Do you want more personalized help with building a growth mindset or building your leadership toolkit overall? Don’t hesitate to reach out here.
Interested in Learning More About Cultivating a Growth Mindset?
Here are some additional resources on growth mindset that might be helpful. Please Google the titles below.
Do You Have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset? Here's Why It Matters at Work - The Muse
6 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset - Entrepreneur
What Having a "Growth Mindset" Actually Means - Harvard Business Review