Harness the Power of Yet
No one is born knowing everything. We all have to start somewhere, and keep in mind you’ll never reach the top if you never take that first step. You have to invest time and effort if you wish to learn something new. No one promised it would be easy, but with time, patience, practice, and effort, pretty much anything is possible. Learning to harness the power of “yet” can transform your outlook. Instead of saying, “I can’t do that,” try saying, “I can’t do that yet.” Experience the difference this one little word can make.
Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes
Do not be afraid of making mistakes—that is how we learn and grow. If you never fall, you can never learn to walk. Each fall is a lesson that teaches you how to better control your balance and movement, expanding your abilities and understanding of the world around you. Mistakes are not failures, but lessons. They teach us how to adapt, overcome obstacles, and give us even greater pride when we master a new skill or a task.
Be Transparent
Talk openly with your kids about a new skill you’re trying to master and let them witness your difficulties along the way. Allow them access both to your battles and your triumphs. Most importantly, let them watch you try, try again until you master that new skill, whether it takes hours, weeks, or even years.
Effort Over Perfection
Focus on the process of your endeavors, regardless of the outcome. Throughout it all, strive to maintain your positive attitude, remembering that it’s not a failure, but a lesson from which you can grow.
Need More Guidance?
These are just a few drops in the bucket of how to change your fixed mindset to one of growth, setting the example for your kids to do the same. If you want further guidance, there are tons of books on Amazon about this very concept, such as The Growth Mindset Workbook by Elaine Elliott-Moskwa, PhD. There are even several books on this topic aimed specifically toward kids and teens. Set up your whole family for success, adventure, and growth.
To Be Continued…
Next time, I will explain how praise can actually be harmful, the importance of patience and practice, and reiterate the concept of reframing our failures as lessons for success.
