How to develop a growth mindset that will change your life

Along with all the trendy terms going around the Internet nowadays, here comes another special one: a growth mindset.

Why is it special? Because this kind of mentality isn’t necessarily a trend; it’s a whole other perspective of seeing everything in your life. From your finances and business to your knowledge and very own soul.

It’s about opening yourself up to life and saying a good old big “yes.” Of course, you don’t need to be Jim Carrey in Yes Man, but that’s an interesting depiction of what it means to adopt a growth mindset.

Once you understand how to shape your view on life to support your growth on all levels, you may find that things will change for the better.

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is a way of seeing yourself and the world around you as open to improvement. It means that challenges propel you forward, and you know that your abilities are susceptible to development. 

The first time this concept was studied and introduced in psychology was by Dr. Carol Dweck, psychologist and professor at Standford University. She researched the idea of mindset in general, but her findings were ground-breaking.

She observed what differentiated her students on the pathway to success: the mindset they adopted. Some of them would embrace failure, while others would act defeated. This is what she defined as a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.

Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

According to Dr. Dweck, “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts).”

The difference between the two is the openness to change, the courage to take risks, and the strength to learn from failure when it happens.

A fixed mindset only keeps you stuck, too afraid of evolution, too scared to even try. However, it’s crucial to remember that your personal growth is worth so much more than your fears. And the results might just amaze you. 

As the saying goes, great change happens outside of your comfort zone. What do you have to lose?

Growth mindset examples

Your mindset can shape your day-to-day reality, so it’s important to watch out for the way you speak to yourself in difficult situations. Here are some examples of how mindsets can differ from each other in very simple ways.

If you’re in for a challenge, just try it today. Change the narrative of what you say to yourself and see what happens.

How to develop a growth mindset

The good news is that a growth mindset isn’t something you are necessarily born with. It can be nurtured and developed day by day. And even science proves that you are more than capable of changing.

Neuroplasticity shows that the human brain can create new neural connections and modify its structures. Scientists came to the conclusion that the brain has a tendency to change through growth and reorganization processes.

So, Dr. Dweck believes that you can attain a growth mindset from a fixed one. And this is also backed up by one 2015 study from the European Journal of Psychology of Education. The research shows that self-attributes, including intelligence, are malleable, therefore, susceptible to change.

Here are five tips on how to develop the mindset that will accelerate your growth:

1. Praise the process

If you reward the process, you may notice how your achievements improve. So praise the effort you put into doing something, no matter what the result turned out to be. Maybe you failed. But look at all the knowledge, skills, and experience you’ve gained.

Isn’t it more valuable? Focusing on what you’ve gained after experiences where you might have felt defeated will only emphasize the probability of you trying again and becoming better. And little by little, you could be amazed by what results will come up in your life.

2. Personal development books

This is a big one. Personal development books support the mindset shift through information, stories, and details you may have never heard before. Reading supports your mindset change and you may even find information that soothes your soul.

If you’re looking for the best personal growth books on the market, you can check out the ones written by Mindvalley trainers, top leaders in the field of self-transformation. The great news is that personal growth includes a vast subject to dive deeper into. So you can start with anything that sparks your interest. Think about the Law of Attraction, financial abundance, loving relationships, or even connecting to your spirit guides.

The more you’ll find out, the more you’ll notice how much there is to know.

3. Watch the language you speak to yourself

There is no greater mistake than telling the wrong things to your mind. According to Marisa Peer, renowned psychotherapist and trainer of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance Quest, “your mind does what it thinks you want it to do.”

So think about it, if you say to yourself, things such as “I’m not capable to…” or “I don’t have what it takes to have a growth mindset,” what do you think your mind will do? It will only drive you to do the things that will show that kind of reality.

All in all, changing your belief system is one of the most important things you can do to support your mindset shift. If your beliefs create your reality, why not make it one of the best you possibly can?

4. Get out of your comfort zone

Overcoming your fears and challenging yourself will result in breaking down the current patterns that form your mindset.

This will ensure that you gradually expand your comfort zone and see the infinite possibilities that lie all around you. What is important, though, is to take it slow. 

For example, if you’re deathly afraid of speaking in public, preparing a talk for a thousand people might not be feasible just yet. However, you can sign up for a public speaking course, practice in front of your friends, or join a debate club. The small steps you take will add up to a greater reset of your mind.

5. Create routines that support your growth

You create your habits and they create you. Having routines that support your growth enables you to build your best version of yourself.

For a small change that you can start today, you can try out The 6 Phase Meditation Method, created by Vishen, co-founder of Mindvalley. Meditation is like exercise for your mind and nurturing for your soul, so you may also make sure to choose the best one for you.

Quotes to inspire a growth mindset

Here goes a list of quotes by Vishen that may inspire you to start working on the best mindset you can have to ensure your transformation.

• “Hack your past with forgiveness, hack your present with mindfulness, hack your future with ‘I am enough’.”
• “Most people underestimate just how powerful their thoughts are in creating the world around them.”
• “Build amazing relationships, set bigger goals, and create an extraordinary mind.”
• “Have big goals, but don’t tie your happiness to your goals. You must be happy before you attain them.”
• “You are here to grow. So learn, absorb, and soak up knowledge. Growth is a goal—a quest in itself—whether it’s learning a new skill, building a business, or having your heart ripped to shreds. Growth is beautiful.”

Great change starts with a great mindset

Shifting your mindset is definitely no easy thing, but it’s sure worth it in the end. 

However, you don’t have to be alone on your journey to doing so. You may find that a little guidance on your path to a growth mindset has never hurt anybody. And here’s where Mindvalley can help you.

By unlocking your FREE access today, you can:

• Join sample classes of transformational quests such as Be Extraordinary by Vishen or Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance by Marisa Peer
• Listen to podcasts that will shift your mindset, for example, an episode about the 1% rule to skyrocket your personal growth
• Benefit from guided meditations for peace, abundance, and self-love from some of the most-loved teachers in the world
• Be part of an inspiring community with values that align with yours

You can go on and explore your way to having a different mindset. A growth one. The greatest one.

Welcome in.