07.10.2024

How to nurture a growth mindset? ‎

В the studies for the way of thinking, depending on the answers given, the participants get an answer whether they have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. The belief that skills cannot be developed and that intelligence has a limit beyond which it cannot be developed betrays a fixed mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that even if it takes time, constant effort leads to progress.

The difference in attitudes

The same situation or event provokes different thoughts and reactions in people. When a person start a business, can approach in two ways if he is not a finance specialist. If he has a fixed way of thinking, he can say to himself "I'm not good at math, so finances will certainly be difficult for me". People with a growth mindset will see an opportunity in this and think "I don't understand finance, but this is a good time to learn more about it".

Thinking about abundance as a mindset, from every challenge an opportunity for improvement and assimilation of new knowledge is sought. Given the many challenges that startup entrepreneurs or people at the beginning of their careers face, a growth mindset can be instrumental in the path to future success.

Why is a growth mindset necessary?

Harvard Business School has identified four reasons why people need a growth mindset. When changing careers or developing portfolio career, this way of thinking allows going beyond the current field of activity and exploring new horizons. It also develops endurance and the ability to quickly get out of difficult situations and move on. A fixed mindset limits people and prevents them from learning from their mistakes because of their belief that improvement is not possible.

Last but not least, Aristotle's phrase that "the more one knows, the more one understands that one does not know" is valid. It makes people stay humble and down to earth.

The Power of "Yet"

Using phrases like "I can't do that", "I won't be able to do it" or "I already failed at this once" closes the mind. A person sets these limits for himself. There is great power in adding it at the end of such phrases "yet". "I don't have a solution to this question yet" gives a dose of positivity and allows more creative thoughts to search for an answer.

Reward for effort

Often many factors on which the success of a task depends are beyond one person's control. Putting the focus on the end results instead of the smaller steps along the way that are completed with a lot of effort takes away from the joy of accomplishment. To keep one's motivation high, one should praise oneself for the efforts made, which step by step move the big goal forward.