In her groundbreaking book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Stanford University professor Carol S. Dweck reveals the secrets to raising smart, motivated children and adults.
Dweck’s research shows that the key to success in life is not talent or intelligence, but a mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve with effort, and they see failure as a stepping stone to success. People with fixed mindsets believe that their talents and intelligence are set in stone, and they see failure as a sign of personal inadequacy.
Which mindset do you have?
If you have a fixed mindset, don’t worry. Dweck’s research shows that you can change your mindset and reap the benefits of a growth mindset.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 ways that you can develop a growth mindset.
Table of Contents:
1. Stop praising intelligence and talent
2. Encourage effort, not natural ability
3. Help your child (or yourself) see failure as a learning opportunity
4. Encourage a “growth” mindset in your child (or yourself)
5. Teach your child (or yourself) how to persevere
6. Help your child (or yourself) develop a “growth” mindset
7. Encourage your child (or yourself) to take risks
8. Help your child (or yourself) develop a love of learning
9. Encourage your child (or yourself) to set goals
10. Help your child (or yourself) develop a growth mindset
11. Conclusion
1. Stop praising intelligence and talent
If you want to encourage a growth mindset in your child, stop praising their intelligence and talent. Instead, praise their effort and progress.
2. Encourage effort, not natural ability
Help your child (or yourself) see that effort, not natural ability, is the key to success. Encourage them to work hard and persevere, even when they find tasks difficult.
3. Help your child (or yourself) see failure as a learning opportunity
One of the biggest benefits of a growth mindset is that it helps people see failure as a learning opportunity, not a sign of personal inadequacy. Help your child (or yourself) understand that everyone experiences setbacks and that they can learn from their mistakes.
4. Encourage a “growth” mindset in your child (or yourself)
One of the best ways to encourage a growth mindset is to model it yourself. Let your child (or yourself) see you taking on challenges, persevering through setbacks, and celebrating your successes.
5. Teach your child (or yourself) how to persevere
Persistence is a critical part of a growth mindset. Help your child (or yourself) develop grit and determination by teaching them how to persevere through setbacks.
6. Help your child (or yourself) develop a “growth” mindset
There are a number of things you can do to help your child (or yourself) develop a growth mindset. One is to encourage them to take on challenging tasks and persist through difficulty. Another is to praise their effort and progress, not their intelligence or talent.
7. Encourage your child (or yourself) to take risks
A growth mindset is about more than just effort and persistence. It’s also about taking risks and embracing challenges. Help your child (or yourself) understand that taking risks can lead to rewards and that it’s okay to fail sometimes.
8. Help your child (or yourself) develop a love of learning
One of the best things you can do to encourage a growth mindset is to help your child (or yourself) develop a love of learning. Encourage them to explore new things, ask questions, and seek out new challenges.
9. Encourage your child (or yourself) to set goals
Setting goals is a great way to encourage a growth mindset. Help your child (or yourself) identify what they want to achieve, and then create a plan to reach those goals. Encourage them to persist through setbacks, and celebrate their success.
10. Help your child (or yourself) develop a growth mindset
There are a number of things you can do to help your child (or yourself) develop a growth mindset. One is to encourage them to take on challenging tasks and persist through difficulty. Another is to praise their effort and progress, not their intelligence or talent. You can also help them see failure as a learning opportunity, and encourage them to set goals.
11. Conclusion
A growth mindset is a belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, in which people believe that their abilities and intelligence are set in stone and cannot be changed.
There are many benefits to having a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks, take on challenging tasks, embrace feedback, see failure as an opportunity to learn, and grow and develop over time.
If you would like to develop a growth mindset, there are a few things you can do. First, try to catch yourself when you are thinking in a fixed mindset. Second, seek out opportunities to challenge yourself. Third, cultivate a circle of supportive people who will help you to grow and develop.
The classroom is an important place to develop a growth mindset. Teachers can do this by using praise that is specific and focuses on effort, rather than intelligence. In addition, they can create opportunities for students to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
The workplace is another important place to develop a growth mindset. Leaders can create a growth mindset culture by hiring for potential, rather than experience. They can also give employees opportunities to take on new challenges, and provide feedback that is specific and focuses on effort.
Parents can also help to develop a growth mindset in their children. They can do this by using praise that is specific and focuses on effort, rather than intelligence. In addition, parents can create opportunities for their children to take risks and learn from their mistakes.