Did you know…
…Steve Jobs was ousted from the very company he helped build?
…Oprah was fired from her first television job because she was “unfit for television news”?
…J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 different publishers?
…Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team because the coach deemed him too short and inexperienced?
…Sara Blakely was repeatedly told that her idea, Spanx, wouldn’t work?
The reason why you know their names now is because they didn’t let their circumstances deter them. They’re living, breathing growth mindset examples—people who embraced challenges, learned from their setbacks, and ultimately turned obstacles into opportunities.
And if they can do it, imagine what you could achieve by adopting the same mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset, a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that you can get better at something through dedication and hard work. You see challenges as chances to grow rather than as roadblocks, and you put in the effort to learn and improve along the way.
A mind expanded doesn’t ever shrink back to its original size. When you transform, it’s an irreversible shift.
Look at it this way: when you’re faced with something you don’t know how to do—let’s say, changing a tire—do you tell yourself that you don’t know how to do it and get someone else to do it for you? Or do you tell yourself, “I don’t know how to do this yet, but I can learn”?
The latter is what this mindset is all about. It’s being open to learning, staying curious, and constantly improving.
“When you adopt this idea of growth being [the #1 goal in life], what you start to find is that everything else grows with you,” explains Vishen, the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, in his Be Extraordinary Quest. “But, better than that, when growth becomes number one, then failure doesn’t hit you as much because you start seeing how you grew from that failure.”
The two types of growth mindsets
According to Vishen, there are two main paths to transformation: through kensho or through satori. Here’s what he means:
- Kensho is growth through pain, and it happens when something major shakes up your world—like a personal crisis, a health scare, or a career failure. While they can be painful, these experiences force you to rethink your life and your beliefs. For instance, someone might survive a health crisis and realize they need to take better care of themselves, sparking a transformation in their approach to health and wellness.
- Satori is growth through insight, and it happens slowly as you gain wisdom through continuous learning over time. Whenever you read a new book, reflect on a life lesson, or take on a small challenge, you add a new layer of understanding. This path shows that growth doesn’t always have to be dramatic—it can come from the gradual accumulation of insights and experiences.
“Every time we step into one of these greater versions, because of increased wisdom and understanding, we can never go back to our old self,” Vishen explains. “This is why transformation is the key to becoming a better human.”
2 fixed mindset vs. growth mindset examples
At the heart of the difference between success and stagnation lies a simple choice: how you view challenges.
1. Free Guy: from limitations to growth
A fixed mindset convinces you that your abilities are set, leaving little room for improvement. If you’ve ever seen the movie Free Guy, you know that Guy, the non-playable character (NPC) in a video game, believes that his role is static. He has no control over his fate.
However, after meeting a real-world player, Guy begins to question his limitations and starts learning new skills. He grows more curious and resilient, and by the end of the movie, he embraces a growth mindset. The turning point helps him realize he has the power to change, improve, and take charge of his own story, both in the game and in life.
2. A Mindvalley member story: from anxiety to aliveness
Luiz Claudio Otoni de Castro, a doctor based in Brazil, felt overwhelmed by anxiety and fear of the future, despite having big goals. “I was living in fear of the future and delaying my dreams,” he writes on Mindvalley Stories.
But taking what he learned through the Be Extraordinary Quest, he began to forgive, feel gratitude, and believe in himself once more. “I feel alive again; I feel the sense and the belief that everything is possible.”
His transformation is a powerful example of how shifting your mindset can lead to long-term change. As Vishen says, “A mind expanded doesn’t ever shrink back to its original size. When you transform, it’s an irreversible shift.”
3 growth mindset examples at work
The workplace is constantly evolving, and those who succeed are the ones who can adapt and grow. By adopting a growth mindset at work, you can improve and achieve new heights in your career.
Here are three examples of a growth mindset that can make a difference in your professional life:
1. Google’s goal-setting framework: embracing failure
When you focus on your growth, you’re more likely to view failure as a stepping stone to success rather than… well, failure.
For example, at Google, employees are encouraged to set ambitious goals, even if there’s a 50% chance of failure. This goal-setting strategy pushes people beyond their comfort zones and fosters an environment of innovation.
Vishen himself went through a similar journey before he founded Mindvalley. He started three companies—all of which went bankrupt. Did he find it painful? Absolutely. But it helped him learn to be a better entrepreneur.
“While failure can be momentarily painful, failure is a powerful act of transformation,” he adds. “All of us become better when we view failure this way and critically reflect on why we failed and understand how to show up better in the world.”
By embracing the possibility of failure, employees focus on learning from their mistakes and are more willing to take risks. And this ultimately leads to breakthroughs.
2. James Clear’s “1% rule”: prioritizing continuous learning
Like that Bob Dylan song, “The times, they are a-changin’.” In fact, a report published by Deloitte emphasizes that about 40% of the global workforce will need to learn new skills every six months to keep up with rapid changes.
Those with a growth mindset understand the importance of constantly evolving. So they invest time to develop their skills, which could be anything from attending seminars to taking online courses to staying up-to-date on industry trends.
Quoting James Clear, Vishen mentions, “You only need to be 1% better than the competition” to gain a competitive advantage. Whether you’re a stock market analyst or a project manager, consistently making small improvements can set you apart from the rest.
3. Microsoft CEO: actively seeking feedback
Feedback is crucial for your personal growth. Sure, it can be hard to hear, but it’s essential for improvement.
At Microsoft, for instance, CEO Satya Nadella famously shifted the company’s culture by encouraging employees to adopt a “learn-it-all” mentality. Rather than focusing on being a “know-it-all,” employees are encouraged to continuously ask questions, stay curious, and most importantly, see feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
When you focus on what you can learn rather than what you already know, you’re more open to adapting, improving, and staying ahead in a constantly evolving world.
3 growth mindset examples for students
Being flexible in thinking isn’t just for adults; students can also benefit from it. Going back to Carol Dweck’s research, she found that when they believe they can improve their abilities, they’re more likely to build strong learning habits and take on challenges.
Here are three growth mindset examples in action that can help students thrive:
1. Low grades: viewing struggles as opportunities to learn
Think about when you were a baby learning to walk. You had this inner cheerleader that kept you going.
When you fell while crawling or trying to stand, your mind didn’t say, “You’re terrible at this; just quit.” Instead, it likely told you, “Keep going; you’ve got this!” You just kept trying.
That’s just how we are as humans. However, as we get older, something changes. We start doubting ourselves when we fail or struggle, thinking, “I just can’t do this.”
Our inner cheerleader turns into a critic. But just like when we were babies, those struggles are actually opportunities to improve.
Let’s say a student gets a low grade on a math test; instead of feeling defeated, they can seek help from a teacher, try new study methods, and practice more. Over time, their effort pays off, and their grades improve.
This shows that with persistence and grit, you can set yourself up for success—even the things you find most challenging at first.
2. Carol Dweck’s power of “yet”
There’s a simple word that can completely change how we think: yet. Carol Dweck loves this word, and for good reason.
When a student says, “I’m not good at math yet,” they’re shifting from a mindset of defeat to one of possibility. It reminds them that they’re not supposed to be good at everything right away—learning takes time.
By adding “yet,” students understand they’re on a learning curve. Maybe they can’t solve a problem right now, but with practice and effort, they will.
This word helps us remember that skills aren’t fixed; they’re something we develop by staying persistent and trying again.
So instead of thinking, “I just can’t do this,” say, “I can’t do it yet,” and keep moving forward.
3. Group learning: embracing collaboration
When students work in a group setting, everyone brings something different to the table. For example, one person might be great at researching while another is better at writing.
By working together, everyone can learn from each other’s strengths. Instead of seeing it as competition or being afraid of making mistakes, you can view it as an opportunity to improve and grow together.
That’s the great thing about collaborative learning—it encourages an open and curious attitude. It’s not just about succeeding on your own, but rather, helping each other get better. And this is exactly what a growth mindset is about.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of having a growth mindset?
There are plenty of pros to having a growth mindset. Here are a few:
- Resilience. You’re less likely to be discouraged by setbacks and more likely to bounce back stronger.
- Creativity and innovation. It helps you come up with fresh solutions and keeps you growing in your career.
- Personal development. You’ll keep looking for ways to improve yourself, both professionally and personally.
- Stronger relationships. You’ll be more willing to learn from conflicts and grow as a partner, parent, or friend.
- Better health and happiness. It encourages you to improve your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
This mindset has positive effects on many areas of life, from your career to your personal relationships.
As Vishen quotes Srikumar Rao, the founder of The Rao Institute, “If you can ensure that growth is your number one goal, everything else will grow with you—your career, your business, your relationships, your parenting, your health, everything that truly matters in life.”
What are some common obstacles to developing a growth mindset?
Recognizing the obstacles that keep you in a fixed mindset is the first step toward overcoming them. Here are some common ones:
- Fear of failure. Many people are afraid of making mistakes or being judged, which can stop them from trying new things.
- Belief in fixed talent. If you think your abilities are set in stone, you might not see the point in putting in the effort to improve.
- Lack of patience. Growth takes time, and expecting instant results can make you give up before you see any real progress.
Overcoming these challenges requires a shift in perspective. And, as Vishen puts it, “It is how you cope with these situations that truly make you extraordinary.”
How can I develop a growth mindset in myself?
Learning, according to Vishen, is one thing. Transformation? It’s another. And the thing is, the latter changes the way you show up in the world.
In his Be Extraordinary Quest, Vishen shares five key strategies for transformative growth that can help you make lasting changes in your mindset and your life:
- Critical reflection. Regularly reflect on your past experiences and mistakes. Ask yourself how you can improve and what you’ve learned from these moments.
- Critical study and writing. As you learn something new, take notes and think about how it can impact your life. Writing down your thoughts will help cement the learning into your mind.
- Social discourse. Discuss your growth journey with a friend or a group. Sharing your progress and holding each other accountable helps deepen your transformation.
- Rate of application. Don’t wait to apply what you learn. Implement new ideas or strategies as soon as possible to reinforce growth.
- Altered states. Practices like meditation or mindfulness can help you access deeper insights and ideas. These moments of calmness allow you to connect with your subconscious mind and support your transformation.
“When you bring in these five practices into your transformational practice, you grow faster than ever before,” says Vishen. And chances are, you’ll see incredible things happening in both your personal and professional growth.
Awaken your unstoppable
What if the way you’ve been striving for success is only half the story? Imagine if the challenges you face—the setbacks, the missed opportunities, etc.—could be turned into fuel for something far greater.
This alchemy works exactly what you’ll discover in Vishen’s Reconstructing Reality masterclass on Mindvalley.
It’s a prelude to his Be Extraordinary Quest, but it’s packed with insights on how to tap into higher states of consciousness, shape your reality, and achieve goals that once seemed impossible.
People from all walks of life have used these techniques to create extraordinary success—tennis champion Bianca Andreescu; Miss Sweden 2014, Camilla Hansson; and social media entrepreneur Ranveer Allahbadia, just to name a few. And now, it’s your turn.
If you’re ready to step beyond the ordinary and find a better way, sign up for free for Reconstructing Reality and unlock the path to transformation.
Welcome in.
