3 Tips for Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Your Life
Have you ever noticed how, over the course of day-to-day life, some people seem to maintain a general overall orientation that allows them to consistently grow, whereas others appear “stuck” in place for one reason or another?
Among psychologists, the terms “growth mindset,” and “fixed mindset” have been used to refer to individuals who – on the one hand – are optimistic about their ability to influence their circumstances, learn new skills, and explore possibilities, and individuals who – on the other hand – essentially believe that “you have it or you don’t,” and who are not very proactive as a result.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people with a growth mindset turn out to be a lot happier and more successful, as a rule, than people with a fixed mindset.
Here are a few tips for nurturing a growth mindset in your life.
Do things to try and proactively improve situations you aren’t happy with – even if it feels pointless
There are many different stressful things that might happen over the course of your life, including such things as medical malpractice incidents that are beyond your control. But because something happens that’s beyond your control, does that mean you shouldn’t try to make the best of the situation, and to improve it somehow?
A growth mindset is largely defined by continually and proactively striving to improve situations that you aren’t happy with in life. In the malpractice example, that may begin with something like seeking out medical malpractice attorneys.
Fixed mindsets tend to go hand-in-hand with feelings of futility and the belief that it’s pointless to make an effort.
The more you can consistently take steps to improve situations you aren’t happy with and that may even feel pointless – the more you will move into a growth mindset.
Always look for opportunities to try new things, and put yourself in unfamiliar situations
Growth requires you to consistently be on the lookout for new opportunities, and to routinely expand your horizons by trying new things, and putting yourself in unfamiliar situations.
By contrast, a fixed mindset tends to involve a lot of remaining in your comfort zone, and engaging with the same routines, day in and day out.
By always looking for opportunities to try new things and put yourself in unfamiliar situations you can consistently shift your mindset into one that promotes and encourages growth while at the same time accumulating more fascinating life experiences.
Don’t be too caught up in your ego, to the extent that it puts you in a state of inertia
Sometimes, a big part of what keeps people stuck in a fixed mindset is their own egos – in the sense of not wanting to compromise their sense of who they think they are at the moment.
In many cases, what stops people from trying new things and growing ends up being a feeling of insecurity that they will fail, or will look stupid.
Ultimately, though, this kind of ego-focused concern, and these sorts of hang-ups, can prevent us from experiencing a lot of the magic to be found in life.
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