Whether it’s taking personal risks to achieve goals that are more difficult to create healthier relationships, research connects the growth mindset with a multitude of benefits. Professionals are looking for these benefits more than ever, according to the Udemy online learning platform, courses in the “growth mindset” category jumped 231% between mid-March and mid-April. This seems particularly important during the current crisis, as a growing mindset works to build resilience and the ability to adapt to change in the context of global foreclosure.
What is a growing mindset?
When your thoughts are motivated by negative intentions, such as material things or the desire to prove someone is wrong, they can often self-sabotage. Unnecessary suffering and sacrifice are choices that you can decide to stop by being open to personal development. A fixed frame of mind creates the urgency to prove itself over and over again. Often with a fixed frame of mind, you can strive to succeed, but avoid taking initiatives to avoid failure. This could lead to an early plateau or not reach your full potential.
Attitudes manifest themselves at a young age and are responsible for a large part of our behavior, of our relationship with professional and personal results. With a growing mindset, individuals develop the belief that basic skills can be developed and improved through dedication and hard work. A crucial factor in developing a growth mindset is to accept mistakes as an opportunity to improve.
The concept of “growth mentality” came from psychologist and professor Carol Dwek of Stanford University, who defined it as “the one where intelligence can be developed”. Someone with a growing mindset has the desire to learn, to take on challenges, to persist in the face of setbacks, to accept criticism and to be inspired by others.
How to practice a growing mindset
Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep can cause low heart rate variability (HRV). Research has shown a relationship between low HRV and worsening depression and anxiety. Low HRV is even associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular disease. Getting enough sleep may be the easiest way to improve your mental and physical health.
Recognition
Gratitude allows you to magnify positive emotions and counter negative emotions, such as regret or envy. According to the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, expressing gratitude regularly changes the molecular structure of the brain and maintains the functioning of gray matter, making people healthier and happier. Take the time each day to write down three things that you are thankful for and you will understand how you can use that gratitude to accept, learn and grow. Berkeley also has a guide to help you find the silver liners in your life daily.
Surround yourself with positive influences
We have all heard the expression “the birds of a feather come together”. If you are currently surrounded by negative people who have no hope for their future and low standards or expectations for themselves, you will become like them. It is important to plant yourself around those who are enthusiastic about living and creating a future, because you will see that your behavior and your mentality imitate these intentions. Leadership conferences are great networking opportunities to broaden your mind to new possibilities and ideas in an atmosphere of like-minded people.
Pay attention to your words and thoughts
When you feel a negative thought coming, take the time to process it and turn it into a positive thought. For example, replace judgment with acceptance and hatred with compassion. By listening to your inner monologue and changing perspectives, you will be better equipped to stay positive and maintain a growing mindset.
When you face challenges, see them as opportunities. How you perceive your situation greatly influences how you accept them. Use difficult situations as opportunities to develop your abilities.
Set goals and track your growth
Creating milestones and deadlines to ensure you meet your goals allows you to reinvent yourself to become your best self. Start by writing down a list of things you are grateful for each day or read a chapter from a book before you go to bed each night. Not only will these practices help develop other skills, but having a goal and staying on track will motivate you to continue. By recording your progress, you can see your growth and be encouraged to set new, more ambitious goals that you will have the confidence to achieve.
Ask for advice
A growing mindset is not something that will happen overnight. Take the time to find out how to implement best practices. Seek advice and mentorship from professionals who have faced similar challenges. First-hand experience can provide information and show you ways to overcome obstacles.
There are also a wide variety of online courses. LinkedIn has several courses on growing and adopting a growth mindset. Coursera offers a free course on how a growing mindset can help you succeed and Udemy has 17 courses on the subject, only one is free.
Your emotions and beliefs have energetic influences on your body and influence your basic belief system. Taking the time to examine how these emotions influence your state of mind and prevent you from becoming the best version of yourself is the first step to becoming growth-oriented. Take charge of the way you perceive your life to adopt a new open mind, take on new challenges and create lasting success.
