It’s Never Too Late for a Growth Spurt: Using Mindset to Overcome Challenges

Challenges in life are inevitable. They include things like studying for tests, solving problems, and dealing with change or loss. Why is it that some people struggle to cope with these challenges while others thrive from them? Research suggests we turn to mindset to unlock the answer.

Researchers have identified two types of mindsets that guide our beliefs and actions. A fixed mindset comes from believing that your qualities are carved out in stone, which creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over (Dweck, 2008). As a result, people with this mindset often avoid challenges because they fear they will fail. In contrast, a growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others (Dweck, 2008). Those with this mindset view challenges as learning experiences and opportunities for growth.

Because we are human, we all have a mixture of fixed and growth mindsets. Here are three strategies for growing in the face of challenges:

1. Identify your fixed mindset triggers.

When does your fixed mindset express itself? It could be when you’re thinking about taking on a big, new challenge. It could be when you’re struggling with something and you keep hitting dead ends. It could be when you feel like you’ve failed decisively. The more aware you are of your fixed-mindset triggers, the better you can spot when they manifest. Don’t judge these triggers just observe them. Over time you can gradually learn how to remain in a growth-mindset place despite the triggers (Dweck, 2008).

2. Set learning goals instead of ability goals.

Research has shown that college students who had ability goals (purpose is to validate one’s ability or avoid showing one’s lack of ability) were predicted to have lower grades in a challenging course than those who had learning goals (purpose is to acquire new skills or knowledge) (Grant & Dweck, 2003). Outside of school, we can create learning goals in our relationships, hobbies, and various other life domains.

3. When building a growth mindset, form a concrete plan.

As you think of opportunities for growth and learning, it helps to form a plan and ask: When, where, and how will I embark on my plan? These questions make the plan for growth concrete. As you encounter the inevitable obstacles and setbacks, form a new plan and ask yourself the questions again. If things go according to plan, ask what do I have to do to maintain and continue the growth (Dweck, 2008)? With the help of a growth mindset, we become more alive, courageous, and open people.

Pete Kechejian is currently an SED masters student in Applied Human Development with a concentration in Positive Youth Development at Boston University. He is preparing for social work in the community that engages youth and enhances their strengths.

References

Dweck, C. (2008). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine Books.

Grant, H., & Dweck, C. S. (2003). Clarifying achievement goals and their impact. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 541-553.

Note: The image used in the blog came from QuickandDirtyTips, who took the image from Shutterstock.