a plant with two sides, symbolizing growth and fixed mindsets

A Growth Mindset Definition And How Develop One

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to bounce back from failure with even more determination, while others retreat and give up? 

The secret lies in a powerful tool called a growth mindset. Pioneered by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is a new way to view your natural abilities that can transform the way you approach challenges, learning, and even success itself. 

Understanding and applying the growth mindset definition can help you shift your thinking in order to radically change how you live your life.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your career, improve your personal relationships, or simply become the best version of yourself, the good news is that anyone can develop this mindset and make a significant impact on the way they respond to the challenges of everyday life.

My goal is to share the key ideas behind decades of research so that you can start embracing a growth mindset to find greater personal growth and success in your life!

What Does It Mean To Have A Growth Mindset?

The definition of a growth mindset is the belief that our intelligence and basic abilities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and a love of learning. The term growth mindset is used to describe a way of thinking that sees challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and personal development.

The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. The key difference between a growth and fixed mindset is that a fixed mindset assumes that our intelligence, natural talent, and basic qualities are cannot be improved or developed over time.

The concept of a growth mindset was popularized by Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success and in her popular TED talk.

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In Mindset, she explains that individuals with a growth mindset definition see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles that cannot be overcome.

These people understand that failure is not a reflection of their inherent worth. Instead, it is just a part of the learning process toward growing and developing.

You can read our summary of Mindset for more information on this transformative book, or check it out for yourself!

Developing a growth mindset empowers you to embrace new skills, rise to new challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. This way of thinking plays a critical role in your personal growth and can lead to new opportunities in all areas of life. Dweck’s findings give us a roadmap to a happy life full of career and academic success, stronger personal relationships, and more!

growth mindset by Carol Dweck book

Why Does Having a Growth Mindset Matter?

The development of a growth mindset matters because it is the best way to find success in your personal and professional lives. This is because people with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for learning and self-improvement. 

Dweck’s research shows that those who embrace a growth mindset are more resilient in the face of setbacks and better equipped to handle difficult situations, such as career changes or personal struggles.

This means that where one person might face a failure and give up, people with a growth mindset are able to find feedback in failure that gives them information about how to improve for next time.

For example, in an academic setting, Dweck’s research shows that students who adopt this mindset tend to achieve higher grades and improved academic performance. This is because they see failure as a starting point for further effort and deliberate practice.

Instead of giving up and accepting that they aren’t a “math person” when they don’t understand something, high school students with a growth mindset are able to try new strategies to solve problems and seek constructive feedback to improve their skills.

But it’s not just students who benefit. Whether you’re working on the professional development of your basic qualities, learning new skills for a job, or dealing with personal challenges in your personal life, the power of a growth mindset is powerful tool that can make a massive difference.

This way of thinking transforms how you approach new projects, handle difficult tasks, and interact with others from team members at work to your family members at home.

boho style image showing a plant growing

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

The best way to explain how a growth mindset can be used in your life is to compare it to the fixed mindset. 

A fixed mindset is the belief that our abilities, intelligence, and talents are each a fixed trait that cannot be changed. People with a fixed mindset often see failure as an indication that there is something wrong with them, or that they just don’t have the natural talent to find success.

It is common for people with a fixed mindset to have a fear of failure. A common misconception for people with a fixed mindset is that taking chances is risky because it could reveal a weakness that they have that they do not want exposed.

On the other hand, the theory of growth mindset says that with effort, perseverance, and the right strategies, anyone can improve to find more positive results. This positive mindset emphasizes that talent is just a starting point and that mastery comes from hard work and continuous learning. 

Since this perspective believes that there is no such thing as permanent failure, people with a growth mindset work through failure without fear of judgement or criticism. The power of mindset encourages individuals to take on new challenges, learn from mistakes, and seek out opportunities for improvement. 

lightbulb with a crack in it

How To Develop a Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset is not a one-time event. It requires ongoing effort, reflection, a positive attitude, and practice. Here are some simple ways to get started with your own personal growth mindset intervention:

  1. Embrace challenges: The first step is to understand that it is important to approach difficult tasks with enthusiasm and curiosity. A growth mindset believes that growth happens in the face of challenges.
  2. Face setbacks with resilience: A common myth is that setbacks are permanent failures. Instead, change in your internal dialogue to start describing them as learning opportunities in disguise. This helps you push through adversity.
  3. Seek constructive criticism: Constructive feedback is necessary for growth. Seek out ways to improve and avoid being defensive, 
  4. Learn to love learning: A growth mindset thrives on continuous learning. The more you learn, the more you grow.
  5. Engage in deliberate practice: The path to mastery is not just about repeating a skill, but practicing it in a way that pushes you to the next level.

Dweck’s studies tell us that it’s important to be aware of our inner dialogue. When you find yourself facing a hard time or feel like giving up, challenge those thoughts with a growth mindset approach. Remind yourself that effort leads to success, and that setbacks can be a good thing if we see them as part of the learning process.

One simple way to do this is by adding the powerful word yet to the end of any negative self-talk you find yourself having. For example, instead of saying “I’m not good enough”, you might try saying “I’m not good enough yet”.

Such interventions remind us that our skills and abilities can always be developed further until we are able to achieve mastery.

the word yet on a winding path

Examples of Growth Mindset Thinking

To better understand the key characteristics of a growth mindset, I have put together some examples of growth mindsets in action. Each of these growth mindset examples will give you a closer look at how each mindset would describe the scenario.

Example #1: You’re struggling to learn a new skill at work.

  • Fixed Mindset: “I’m just not good at this. I’ll never be able to master this task.”
  • Growth Mindset: “This is tough, but with practice, I know I’ll get better at it. It’s just a matter of time and effort.”

Example #2: You’ve received critical feedback on a project.

  • Fixed Mindset: “This feedback means I’m not good at my job.”
  • Growth Mindset: “This constructive criticism is valuable. This learning experience will help me improve my performance and do better next time.”

Example #3: You didn’t get the promotion you were hoping for.

  • Fixed Mindset: “I wasn’t promoted because I’m not talented enough.”
  • Growth Mindset: “I didn’t get the promotion this time, but I can improve my problem-solving skills and try again.”

Understanding Growth Mindset

Understanding the growth mindset definition is the key to truly transforming the way you see all of the areas of your life. It allows you to move through your life with a sense of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. 

Whether it’s in an academic setting, at work, or in your personal life, having a growth mindset leads to positive outcomes in both small and big ways.

Remember that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of practice, reflection, and learning from setbacks. 

Researcher Carol Dweck has emphasized the importance of believing that you’re in control of your abilities. She reminds us that you can achieve great things through deliberate practice and effort.

With a growth mindset, your natural intellectual ability, past mistakes, your struggles and failures do not hold you back. As you move forward, consider how you can integrate a growth mindset into your daily life to achieve each great accomplishment that you dream of. 

Approach challenges with enthusiasm, learn from mistakes, and always be willing to improve!

If you need some motivation to help building a growth mindset, check out our collection of quotes on growth mindset. And check out our Mindset Definition Posters Bundle. Hanging these definitions in your office or at home will act as a reminder when you need inspiration to choose growth in the face of challenges!

mindset definitions poster bundle
This 8 mindset definition poster bundle is perfect for keeping your mind focused on growth

Summary: Key Points about Growth Mindset

What is the meaning of growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance. It emphasizes that talent is not fixed, but can be cultivated over time with dedication and hard work.

What describes a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is characterized by a willingness to embrace failure and challenges, learn from criticism, persist in the face of setbacks, and see effort as the key to mastery. It focuses on personal growth and continuous improvement rather than fearing failure.

What are the 5 characteristics of a growth mindset

The five key characteristics of a growth mindset are: embracing challenges, learning from criticism, persisting through obstacles, seeing effort as a path to success, and being inspired by the success of others.

What is growth mindset in a sentence?

A growth mindset is the belief that through effort and learning, you can improve your skills and abilities, regardless of your starting point.

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who you think would benefit from using a growth mindset, this could be what they need to start seeing the growth opportunities in their life!


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