Source: Mart Production/Pexels

• Is your mind stuck?
• Do you have a hard time seeing things beyond a good-bad, right-wrong dichotomy?
• Do you say things like:
• "Once a cheater, always a cheater"
• "That's just who they are"
• "I don't have a math brain"
• "They naturally are good at this"

Answering yes to these questions may mean that you have a fixed mindset.

Having a fixed mindset can limit your potential or the potential you see for others. In this mindset, failure tends to reflect the limits of your natural abilities. And while we may say these statements, intuitively, something feels a bit off with them. Why would we practice or go to school if it all boiled down to natural talent? Why would self-help books, mentors, and counselors exist if we couldn’t continually improve?

Luckily, we are not stuck with fixed mindsets, we can adjust our minds to think more in terms of growth. With a growth mindset, it allows us to see that our abilities can be developed through learning, practice, and perseverance. This post will help outline practical strategies to help you break free of a fixed mindset and cultivate a growth approach to your work and life.

Build Your Awareness

You are already making the first step, recognizing that you have fixed ideas! Keep increasing your awareness of the fixed thoughts you say to yourself and of others when you say things like, "I'm not good enough." Or, "I can't do it." Challenge these thoughts by asking yourself for evidence ("I haven't given myself enough time to learn this") and considering alternative explanations ("I haven't practiced this enough yet").

Also challenge the idea of innate ability. Understand that skills and abilities are not fixed traits but can be developed through targeted effort and practice. Practice makes progress (not perfect!). Explore stories of successful individuals who have overcome challenges through perseverance and dedication (for example, Harriet Tubman, Malala Yousafzai, and Nelson Mandela).

Be Kind to Yourself

Practice self-compassion. Be kind and understanding toward yourself when facing setbacks or making mistakes. Treat yourself with the same level of compassion and support you would offer to a friend. You would never say to a friend: "That's just not something you can do." Why do you say it to yourself? Treating yourself more compassionately can help reduce self-criticism and foster a mindset toward continuous improvement.

Start using self-affirmations. Engage in positive self-talk and affirmations that reinforce a growth mindset. Remind yourself of your ability to learn, grow, and adapt. Repeat empowering statements, such as "I am capable of learning and improving," to reinforce the belief in your potential. Our brain will naturally consider the negatives so every time you catch yourself saying something negative, say three positive things to counter it. Even better, say these statements to yourself in the mirror.

Tweak and Reframe

Emphasize the power of yet. Add the word "yet" to any fixed mindset statements to shift them towards growth. For example, replace "I can't do it" with "I can't do it, yet." This simple word adjustment acknowledges the potential for growth and fosters a belief to learn and improve over time.

Reframe. When faced with challenges or setbacks, reframe them as opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of viewing failure as a reflection of one's abilities, see it as valuable feedback and an opportunity to adjust your strategies to improve. Recognize that by avoiding certain activities due to a fixed mindset, you limit opportunities for practice and hinder your own growth. Embrace that mastery of a skill takes time and effort. Reflect on the skills you once struggled with but have now improved upon.

Focus on the process, not just the outcome. Think about the journey, the process, and the incremental steps taken to reach a goal. Setbacks may occur, but recognizing that you are still trying will reinforce your efforts. It's less about losing that five pounds and it's more about building a healthier lifestyle each day, perhaps with an extra walk or a more nutritious dinner choice.

Set Attainable Goals

Set realistic and achievable goals. Establish goals that are challenging but attainable. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate progress along the way. This approach promotes a growth mindset by focusing on effort, improvement, and the process rather than solely on the end result.

Cultivate a growth-oriented environment. Surround yourself with people who have a growth mindset and are supportive of your aspirations. Find a supportive individual, a "hype-person" if you will, who can offer encouragement and celebrate your progress. Engage in conversations about personal development, share experiences, and seek feedback from individuals who encourage growth and provide constructive input.

It's crucial to praise and encourage yourself along the way. Celebrate your effort, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way, rather than solely fixating on the end result. By rewarding your dedication and persistence, you will create a nurturing environment for personal development.

Switching from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is a process that takes time and effort. Consistently applying these tips and techniques can gradually reshape your thinking patterns and lead to a more adaptive and growth-oriented mindset. Adopting a growth mindset can be transformative--empowering you to break mental bonds and embrace a path of personal growth and development. By challenging fixed mindsets, engaging in self-reflection, and reframing your beliefs about abilities, you can unleash your true potential.

Embrace the idea that failure is an opportunity for learning and that your abilities and traits can be developed through dedication, practice, and perseverance. You have the power to shape your own narrative and cultivate your potential for growth and success. By embracing a growth mindset, you open doors to possibilities, unlock new abilities, and discover the remarkable capacity within yourself to learn, adapt, and thrive.