Growth Mindset: Become the Best You

You are what you think, you feel what you think. Most certainly, your thoughts about yourself are a big influence on you. That's the key to become the best you.

Written and verified by the psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Last update: 15 November, 2021

A growth mindset is about working to become the best you. Beyond what others might think you are, or what you are right now, it’s in you to show the world your potential and determination to become the best you.

When you have a growth mindset, you can break molds and constrictions and move forward with a renewed trust and optimism. Strategies like these can help you be more positive and improve your wellbeing.

Usually, people approach life in one of two ways. First, there are the people that apply growth mentality or on the other hand, there are the people that apply a fixed mentality.

If you are like the former, you trust that your talent can still develop and improve. It’s about developing your potential through hard work, perseverance, and innovation to reach success.

In contrast, there’s a very common theme of believing you “already have everything you need.” This fixed mentality, when applied, dismisses any attempt to improve or be better. It closes the door to any form of challenge, to go the extra mile.

People like this play safe, follow the same rules, the same outdated strategies. Strangely enough, this second mentality can be found in many people, and many companies as well.

Then, when you least expect it, there’s a little voice in your head telling you not to change a thing, to not do anything, and stay where you are. Why change a thing?

Does it ring a bell? Then it’s time to find out how growth mentality can help you become the best you.

Growth mindset: your potential is higher than you think

Your mind is capable of influencing your life, without you knowing. You are what you think, you feel what you think. Most certainly, your thoughts about yourself are a big influence on you. That’s the key to become the best you.

Growth mindset is a term coined by Carol Dweck, a researcher at Stanford University, and a renowned specialist in social psychology and personality studies.

After a 30-year investigation published in MindsetWorks, Dr. Dweck proved that what students thought of themselves directly affected their performance. We can all agree this is something we should really pay attention to.

• If a student is praised for their intelligence or skills, they won’t always take on personal challenges. Why? They’ll think they’re not up to par. They won’t go outside their comfort zone, they play safe. It’s not just saying to a kid, “Hey, you’re very intelligent”. It’s so much more than that.
• If a student’s effort is praised, you’re teaching them the value of hard work, helping them realize their accomplishments. This way they’ll have a better image of themselves. They won’t hesitate to take on new challenges. They’ll see it as a way to prove themselves and see how far they can go.

Whatever mentality you teach to children or teenagers will be reflected in their performance. This is included in Dr. Dweck’s conclusions in the 2007’s Stanford Report.

You’re more than what you think you are

People are used to labels. There are some who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), others have depression or anxiety, others are introverted, sensitive, loners, others hate maths, others are obsessive, and some others are incredibly intelligent.

When someone tells you what you are, maybe just as a passing remark, you can feel like that’s what you do, that’s what you are, that’s what you’ll do. This especially happens to children who are conditioned by what adults say about them. No one has taught them to try a different approach.

Growth mentality means to know that a label doesn’t define you. Yes, you might feel nervous more often than not, or maybe math is not your thing, but that doesn’t define you. You’re defined by your behavior. If you start thinking differently you can improve your reality, and things may change for the better.

In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dr. Dweck teaches you how to apply these strategies in your everyday life to stimulate your growth mentality:

• Understand that everybody has certain skills in life. However, real talent comes with practice and hard work.
• Take on new challenges every single day.
• Have a positive mindset.
• Praise useful criticism. The one helps you grow. Ignore the rest.
• Discipline, perseverance, and open-mindedness. Success is not an accident. Every win, or change, takes hard work, discipline, and trust in yourself.

In short, working for a growth mindset means accepting yourself but, at the same time, being capable of change. Change and movement are part of your DNA because it means evolution and constant learning.