Let's face it, life has a way of throwing curveballs that make us question everything. Whether it’s struggling through your first attempt at sourdough baking or blankly staring at a new software interface as if it’s written in alien code, having a growth mindset can really help...
But what is a growth mindset, anyway? It’s all about believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence. Sounds good, right? Here are four not-so-complicated ways to start flexing those growth mindset muscles.
1.
Learn to Love the F-word (No, not that one!)
We’re talking about failure. Yep, that thing most of us avoid like the gym on a Monday. The truth is, failing is just part of the process. Think about it: babies fall like a hundred times before they figure out how to walk. Imagine if they were like, “Nope, walking is not for me. Guess I’ll crawl forever.”
So next time you mess up, instead of spiraling into an existential crisis, ask yourself, "What’s the lesson here?" And then grab yourself a snack because, let’s be real, snacks make everything better.
2.
Swap “I can’t” for “I can’t...yet”
Adding that tiny little word at the end changes the game. Saying “I can’t...yet” turns a dead end into a detour. It’s like telling your brain, “Hey, we’re not giving up—we’re just on a scenic route.”
Next time you’re about to declare something impossible, slap a “yet” on the end. Who knows, maybe you’ll surprise yourself.
3.
Hang Out with People Who Inspire You
They say you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So if your inner circle’s motto is “Why try when you can Netflix?” you might want to expand your squad.
Find people who challenge you, cheer you on, and occasionally send you memes about growth mindset—because let’s be honest, relatable memes are modern-day love language. Being around motivated people is contagious (in a good way), and before you know it, you’ll be leveling up your mindset without even realizing it.
4.
Celebrate the Small Wins
We’re all about big goals, but let’s not sleep on the little victories. You finally mastered that tricky Excel formula? Go you! Survived a whole week without hitting snooze? That’s progress, baby.
Acknowledging these mini-milestones reminds you that growth is happening, even if it’s in bite-sized increments. Plus, it gives you an excuse to treat yourself. (And yes, treating yourself can absolutely include ice cream. It’s basically science.)
Developing a growth mindset doesn’t mean you have to turn into a hyper-positive, self-help junkie overnight. It’s about taking small, realistic steps to shift how you see yourself and your potential. So go on, give failure a high five, add a “yet” to your vocab, surround yourself with awesome people, and celebrate the heck out of your progress.
Before you know it, you’ll be looking at challenges like a boss and saying,
“Growth mindset? Oh yeah, I’ve got that.”
Staff Training is a South African soft skills training provider with more than 80 workshops on offer.
Email us at
info@StaffTraining.co.za for more info or give us a call at 0861 996 660