You hear a lot about growth mindset – in business, in life, in your health. But what does it truly mean and how does one attain it?
By definition, growth mindset means that you believe your talents can and will grow through hard work, creating new habits, seeking input from others and changing your strategy. This is converse to a fixed mind set where you believe your gifts are innate, just a given or part of your personality. In actuality, we are all a bit of both.
You get to choose if you want to establish a growth mindset but you will need to get ready to work and shift gears when things are not going your way. Achieving and living a growth mindset takes work, an open mind and an unwillingness to give up no matter how slow the process is.
Growth Mindset = Achieving Your Dreams!
What if as a midlife woman you decide you want to change your outlook on life or learn new skills? By adopting a growth mindset, you can achieve whatever it is you want to do.
I will use myself as an example. As a midlife woman, I have adopted a growth mindset that for me means constantly learning new things, educating myself on them and incorporating them into my life.
I wanted to tap into my creativity for a very long time. When I first heard of blogging, I thought I can do that, if I can ever find the time. Then one day, I stopped trying to find time and just started. I had to learn so many new things – creating a logo/brand, starting a website/blog in WordPress, figuring out how to take photos. The list of new skills I needed was pretty lengthy (and still is since I am still learning!).
The thing about having a growth mindset is that I never gave up, I never stopped trying new things. When something didn’t work, I tried something else. If my photos were blurry, I learned the best way to fix them. I adopted the moto that if I can’t figure it out, someone out there can help me. Dr. Google is always on my side and YouTube videos are a lifesaver.
I started connecting to amazing midlife women who wanted to grow. We started asking questions which led to helping and encouraging each other. We formed communities that support the power of a growth mindset.
When things get hard or a bit overwhelming, I either take a break (good plan occasionally is you are on Instagram) or am willing to just sit where we are a bit and figure out what the next small step is that I can take.
My top six ways for maintaining a growth mindset are:
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I don’t make mistakes and I don’t fail – I am always learning.
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View the challenge of growing as the opportunity to grow. Take a slow and steady pace – Value the process of growth and remember that it takes time.
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Value your imperfections and figure out what in what areas you want to grow.
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Learn from others – what are their successes and failures. How can you incorporate them into what you want to learn.
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See your efforts as progress – don’t assume you don’t have the talent. It can be cultivated and learned.
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Always tie your goals, plans and actions back to your reason for wanting to grow. Figure out why you want something. Let’s say your goal is to have a successful blog – every goal, plan and action that you take to learn these skills needs to tie back to having a successful blog.
New skills can be learned with effort and patience. Having a growth mindset will help you harness your own creativity and learn new things.
Join me and let’s grow together!
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Great tips, Kim! We need to keep the end result in mind and most importantly, the why, as you mention!
Thank you Barbie. So happy to have you visit my blog. I am headed to yours too. Need to get caught up. I so appreciate your comments!
Great post about Growth Mindset! It’s so important for everyone!
Thank you Heidi! I appreciate your comments. We are all in this together.
This is such a great post and so heavy on my mind these days. I am actually considering going back to school. My nephew asked me why, siting my age as a deterrent. I told him, learning is one of the very best things I can do for myself. It helps my mind, it helps keep you engaged in life, and I can use the things I learn to help me have a better life. Your points are spot on! And I am with you on that everlasting learning for blogging! It’s always something new, isn’t it?
Yes, every time I think I’ve got it, there is something new.
I love your response to your nephew. I hope that his generation doesn’t give up so easily! Learning is such a great way to tap new brain pathways!
This is a wonderful post!
I truly believe that learning and growing is the key to life.
I have witnessed folks who just stop at certain points of life and the aging process takes hold.
Rosemary
That is so true Rosemary. I think when we stop doing anything – moving, learning, eating healthy – that’s when aging really starts to take a hold on us!
This is great! I’ve always loved learning and feel like I got a little stuck at one point in my life. But in recent years, since delving into new things and getting more creative, I’ve gotten out of that rut! You’ve shared some great reminders of the benefits of having a growth mindset! Love this post!
Thank you so much. I don’t like the feeling that we can’t continue to grow and learn new things throughout our life!
Spot on, Kim! I love the growth mindset idea. We are never too old to learn something new…it keeps us young! I’m enjoying your journey and always inspired and encouraged by you, my friend<3
Xx Melanie
Thank you Mel. I appreciate you reading my blog. I want to learn new stuff all the time. Makes me crazy sometimes but I love it!
I absolutely loved this post and it was so inspiring and mind clearing. Thank you.
Thank you. Growth is always possible. Glad you enjoyed it!
I know a few people I need to forward this information on too, as they would benefit.
I would so appreciate that!
Dear Kim,
I can’t tell you how close to my heart this article is. Having both parents affected with Alzheimer’s I’m concerned about the health of my brain. I will definitely take your advice and tips to maintaining brain activity.
All The Best!
Nancy
It’s so true but I think that awareness is half the battle. Never stop moving or learning!
Kim,
I submitted a comment earlier but I don’t see it so I’m trying once more. Your article was very meaningful to me having two parents suffer with Alzheimer’s I’m concerned about my own brain health. I plan to take your advice and keep my brain active as I age.
Thank you and have a wonderful week!
Nancy
I got both your comments. Alzheimer’s is tough. We went through it with my MIL and my husband is worried about himself and his siblings. We do all that we can to keep our brains engaged!
Love these ideas. I agree that everything can be used as an experience or learning opportunity that leads us to being where we want to be. Everything in life can be used as an excuse to fail or not achieve our goals, so it is what we make of it that matters! Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous reply. It is abut our attitude toward things and how we deal with them. I prefer growth rather than thinking that I am done!
Learning from your mistakes is so important. Applying what you’ve learned from that previous mistake to a current or future situation is what makes your “mistake” a success 🙂
So true. Everything should be viewed as a learning opportunity.
This is so helpful to remember! Thank you for thinking about this and then putting it into action with a blog post on this topic to help others with the mindset to be successful!
Thank you for stopping in to read it. I want to grow. Staying in stuck doesn’t work for me!