If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels and making no progress, you’re far from alone. In fact, this year, a surprising 44% of Canadians reported feeling just as stuck. (2024, par. 2)
This originates from a 'fixed' mindset, a belief that our abilities and intelligence are permanent and can't be further developed. It’s a mindset that can hold us back, keeping us from reaching our full potential. However, the good news is that this doesn’t have to be your reality.
The science behind a ‘growth’ mindset:
A ‘growth’ mindset is rooted in two important parts of the brain: the cingulate cortex and the prefrontal cortex. These areas play a role in learning, adapting behavior, monitoring mistakes, and managing responses. When someone embraces a growth mindset, these brain regions become more developed, making them less likely to take constructive criticism personally.
Instead, they focus on the journey of improvement rather than just the outcome.
Research in neuroscience reveals that our brains remain flexible and capable of change, even in adulthood, allowing neural pathways to reshape and form new connections, essentially 'rewiring' the brain. (2020, par. 5).
So, how can you develop a ‘growth’ mindset? Here are five tips to get you started:
- Reflecting and acknowledging where you are helps you understand your current skills and mindset. It's about knowing where you stand and what you can improve.
- When you write down your thoughts, experiences, and feelings regularly, you can reflect on what went well and what didn’t.
- Consistently asking for feedback from friends, colleagues, or mentors can help you see things you might miss.
- Know your starting point, it will help you track your progress over time.
- Prioritizing progress over goal completion, this keeps you motivated and helps you grow continuously.
- Split big goals into smaller, manageable steps, it will make them less overwhelming.
- Break down larger goals into smaller milestones and celebrate each small step taken.
- Incorporating a ‘yet’ into your vocabulary can change the perception of challenges.
- Transforming fixed mindset statements into growth mindset statements (i.e., “I can’t do this” vs. “I can’t do this yet”).
- Understanding that struggles are part of the learning process.
- Encourage experimentation and imperfection by creating an environment where trying new things is encouraged.
- View your mistakes and failures as valuable learning opportunities.
- Realize experimenting leads to innovation and growth, developing resilience through trial and error.
- Reward continuous learning and effort through acknowledgement.
- Identify any sort of effort you put in is crucial for maintaining a growth mindset.
- When praise is offered, it reinforces a growth-oriented approach and motivates ongoing development.
Feeling stuck is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to define you, your work, and your life. By shifting from a ‘fixed’ mindset to a ‘growth’ mindset, you not only change how you tackle challenges, but also influence the level of energy and enthusiasm you bring to each day. When you incorporate practical steps, like reflecting on your skills, using the power of ‘yet,’ embracing experimentation, and rewarding effort into your daily routine, you’re more likely to overcome obstacles.
Explore more resources on our website under the growth and development safety topic, where you'll find valuable tools and links. Don’t miss our other insightful articles, including Unpacking the importance of workplace recognition: Understanding the bigger picture.
