Developing the Growth Mindset

There’s a tremendous benefit to having a growth mindset. It allows you to take back the power from the word “failure,” opening you up to new opportunities, encouraging you to keep trying, and enabling you to achieve your dreams. Even two of the biggest industries—medicine and law—both recognize that there is always room for growth and learning something new. That’s why they say they are practicing medicine or practicing law.

We all want our kids to seek happiness and pursue their passions, but how do you go about encouraging them to have a growth mindset so they aren’t afraid of doing so?

Positive Affirmations

Taking a page from Kathryn Stockett’s New York Time’s bestseller, The Help, Lane and I often tell our kids, “You are kind. You are smart. You are important.” I believe it’s good that they start using positive affirmations while young and develop the habit of lifting themselves up, because we all know how rough this world can be. Whether you’re down on your luck or doing well, someone will always have something petty and negative to say (especially in this day of the internet).

We need to be the loudest voice in our own heads. If we can arm our kids with positive affirmations and unshakable confidence, they will have the strength to keep moving forward and the wisdom to recognize that those negative words are false, likely brought on by jealousy.

Make a Decree

Taking a page out of another wonderful book entitled Make God Famous by my very own client, Joe Moss II, I’m going to ask you to make a decree. Write down your goals and dreams on Post-its. It’s important that you use present tense and verbiage as though your goals have already come true. For example, instead of saying, “I want to become the CEO of my own company,” you would write, “I AM the CEO of my own company.”

Stick these Post-its to your bathroom mirror or somewhere you will see them multiple times a day and read them every time you pass by. Bonus points if you read them out loud. It may feel silly at first, but eventually, you will believe these words as truth, manifesting the power to make your dreams into your reality.

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Courageous

Consider how it feels after you get ready each morning. You likely don’t even pay much attention to this achievement. Now think about how great it feels when you can finally check an intimidating task off your list, such as landing that first client for your new business or mastering a new skill. When things are difficult to achieve, they are all the more thrilling when you succeed.

When something seems daunting or formidable, do not let that scare you away. Being brave does not equate with the absence of fear. It simply means you press ahead in spite of it, that you recognize the risk is worth the reward, and that you are striving for something that far outweighs the apprehension and the work it will take to get there.

Practice Patience & Self-Compassion

Remember to be patient with yourself and show self-compassion as you learn something new. Talk kindly to yourself and do not use self-deprecating language. Through your example, your kids will realize that everything is an opportunity for enhanced knowledge and growth, even accidents or mistakes.

To Be Continued…

Next time, we will discuss more ways to learn and teach how to achieve a growth mindset.