36 Put the Growth Mindset into Practice
If you think you typically use a fixed mindset, consider how changing your thinking towards a growth mindset can help you find success in learning and life.
Adjust your self-talk
A key sentence to remember is “I can’t do it — yet”. Consider feedback as information to help you as you continue to grow towards a goal, not as a final evaluation of your ability to learn and achieve.
Respond to feedback differently
Rather than viewing feedback as criticism of who you are, consider feedback as an opportunity to grow.
Adjust your approach
You may be discovering that your current approach to learning is not leading you to the success you desire. Seek out support from others, try new ways of learning, and use the Stop-Start-Continue Method. Setbacks are an opportunity to learn about yourself and to discover what ways of working will be most effective for you.
Embrace challenging opportunities
Though it may seem easier to avoid situations that might be difficult or perhaps risk failure, embracing challenges leads to success in the long-term. Consider how accepting challenges will help you become the person you want to be in the future! [1]
Try it!
Apply the thinking strategies above to a situation you are currently facing.
- What was a challenging situation I faced this semester?
- How can I think about it differently using a growth mindset?
- What are the benefits to me of adopting this new way of thinking?
Extend Your Learning
Developing a growth mindset can make a powerful difference in your lifelong learning. Explore the following resources to deepen your understanding of this concept.
1. Are you interested in understanding more about your mindset? Try this online assessment to identify whether you currently have a growth mindset.
2. Explore The Mindset Continuum infographic. As its author, James Anderson, emphasizes, fixed and growth mindsets are the end points on a spectrum of perspectives. Use this infographic to explore where you currently are on the mindset continuum, and identify areas for future growth.
- Adapted from: UNSW Sydney. (n.d.). Growth mindset. Retrieved from https://student.unsw.edu.au/growth-mindset ↵