5 Ways To Build A Growth Mindset - The House of Routine

5 Ways To Build A Growth Mindset

Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, appropriate strategies, and input from others) tend to achieve more than those who believe that their abilities are innate (that you either 'have it or don't). And when you think about it… It makes perfect sense. As the saying goes, “Imagine less, and less will be what you are undoubtedly given.” How do you shift out of a fixed mindset–and into a growth mindset, where you can accomplish more? Find out below. 

#1 – Reframe challenges as opportunities 

Individuals with a growth mindset view setbacks, failures, and challenging tasks as opportunities to learn and grow. In turn, becoming an improved version of themselves after having gone through the experience. Meaning? You’ll need to shatter your negative perceptions of challenges if you wish to build a growth mindset. To put this in practice, ask yourself the following questions the next time you come across a difficult task/situation:

  • What opportunity does this challenge give me?
  • How does this challenge help me grow?
  • What’s the advantage of having this problem? 

#2 – Think of critical criticisms as gifts  

Hearing negative feedback about yourself is never easy. But think about it: how are you supposed to work toward a better self/outcome if you don't even know where you're lacking? The next time someone tells you where you can improve, take a deep breath and give the feedback some thought. Evaluate if the criticism is valid–and if it is, use that information to change to make yourself better. 

#3 – Own up to your mistakes 

Individuals with a fixed mindset love to assign blame when something goes wrong. But hey–if you always push the responsibility to someone else, you'll never learn to deal with (or learn from) the issue at hand. The next time you catch yourself blaming others, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What could I have done differently?
  • What is my role in this?
  • What is the ideal outcome I’d like to achieve?
  • How can I solve this issue?

#4 – Understand how learning changes your brain 

The human brain possesses the remarkable capacity to reorganise pathways, create connections, and even create new brain cells. Take this 2008 study, for example. Researchers observed grey-matter expansions in the participants’ brains as early as after 7 days of juggling practice! The next time you think to yourself… "No, this is beyond me," remind yourself that your brain is more than capable of adapting to new information and skills. If that's not the surest indication of the potential within you, nothing is!

#5 – Pay attention to your words and thoughts 

Become more self-aware of your words and thoughts. If you’re always telling yourself things like, “I can’t do this,” then the consequences will be a direct reflection of your mindset. So, you'll have to replace negative thoughts with positive ones actively. Set aside the time to do some self-reflection–daily. Review the good and bad of each day and then see where you can improve your thoughts and actions. 

 

Need help in getting started? Then you'll appreciate The Daily Routine Journal. With daily night review prompts, you'll never forget about continually improving on your mindset – in turn, accomplishing more every day. Check out how others have cultivated a growth mindset with the journal (and changed their lives) here! 

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