I have the worst luck → I will continue to develop my skillset

When things repeatedly go wrong, it is hard not to assume that something of higher power purposely manipulates your failures. Like the universe is against you, it’s easier that way. Place the blame elsewhere and continue chugging on. Yet with a growth mindset, effort isn’t viewed that way. We have control over the skills we choose to develop, and the steps you take to get there are within your ability. Sure, you may find yourself “getting lucky” here and there. However, believing good things can and will happen to you is more powerful; especially when you’re following up with the appropriate actions that are taking you toward your ultimate goal. A growth mindset narrows in on praising intentional effort that will lead you to expanding the mind’s opportunity. What’s meant for you will ultimately find you because you’ve put in the work to get there.

I guess its natural talent → I worked hard for my abilities

Natural ability is something that’s been debated for decades; however, instead of getting caught up on who is right, use that time to produce. If something’s difficult, try again. No one was born with a Nobel prize, PhD candidate, or a Golden Globe, they had to earn it. If it was easy to come by it wouldn’t be so highly sought after. Having a growth mindset is accepting our weak areas, noticing our strengths, and moving forward. Trainings, classes, and specialties are created to get better, expand our minds and learn something new. Notice how you’re spending your free time, what media you’re consuming, and what habits you’ve created. A growth mindset emphasizes the need for constant shifts in consistency to stay relevant and avoid burnout.

Avoid → Embrace Challenges

How you approach challenges can tell a lot about a person. Some feel hesitant to approach a new task alone, where others feel fueled by the uncertainty of the task at hand. It’s okay to be a bit of both, but what matters is how you persevere. Fail a couple times, get discouraged, and run away like it never happened out of embarrassment? Or fail a couple times, get shaken up, drop the ego and try again? To be honest I’ve done both. Although I’ve realized when I fail and get embarrassed, when I look back the only  person I really let down was myself. (SO cheesy). Think about it, getting embarrassed for falling short, is a personal insecurity. You can easily reframe your thoughts by acknowledging the mishap and identifying what needs to happen in the future. In reality you’re way harder on yourself than anyone else, so making it a learning experience is crucial.

When trying something new feeling uncomfortable is a sign you’re pushing yourself, that’s where the growing really begins. Get used to embracing the discomfort and take it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself. So what things don’t go as planned? Viewing setbacks as an opportunity of growth and a place to learn from will serve you much longer than ruminating over what went wrong. People with growth mindsets learn to hold on through the valleys and canyons, knowing that sticking through it will be worth it in the end. How else are you supposed to learn from experience if you don’t try it out yourself?

Perfect Daily Habits → Practice Daily Habits

When you have perfected something, it means you don’t think there is any more work to be done that will contribute to its value. That’s a very fixed mindset way of thinking, for example, “I have the perfect morning and night ritual” or “I have the perfect workout routine”. Healthy habits are meant to hold yourself accountable, not to be fueling your perfectionism.  Rather, viewing these healthy habits as a practice allows us to constantly evolve our rituals and workouts to suit our body’s needs. Adopting a growth mindset when viewing mundane or daily habits enhances our awareness to notice what else is out there. It prevents our brains from not seeking perfectionism, but to foster areas for improvement with gratitude.

Defensive to Feedback → Appreciative to Feedback

When stuck in defense mode, you think the world is out to get ya, while spending your time and energy protecting your image. Being quick to anger and even faster to snap, is a sign you’re viewing feedback as a reflection of your ego. Shifting that modality and pushing it further will allow you to view feedback in a more constructive way. Appreciating valuable feedback can be an opportunity for you to decide what mindset you’re functioning in and how you will respond.

For instance, someone says they feel like you’re not contributing enough effort on a team project. Instead of interpreting that as they think you’re lazy, pause and ask yourself “what can I do to demonstrate my work and skills to the team?”. Often it could be a miscommunication or behind the scenes work others may not notice. The point is, instead of taking it as a personal attack, step back and take a minute to view the greater perspective. Being defensive all the time inhibits areas of growth from flourishing, learn to value feedback as a learning opportunity for the future.

By Kennedy Baker