Trying to see the positive in every situation is tough. Naturally, our first instinct is to pinpoint the negative and believe that it's our only outcome.
We’re here to tell you that’s wrong.
Cultivating a growth mindset starts with you. While you can binge growth mindset TED Talks or read inspirational growth mindset quotes, we're here to show you another approach. An approach that will help you create some epic experiences.
Activity #1: Introspection
Introspection is a great method when you’re engaging in growth mindset activities. Take the time to reflect on your triumphs and challenges. One growth mindset activity we encourage professionals to take part in is the rose, thorn, and bud technique.
🌹 Rose: This part highlights a positive event. It can consist of celebrating the small victories, successes, and appreciating the moments that went well.
💥 Thorn: This is a setback or anything negative that may have occurred. Thorns focus on challenges and roadblocks that may have hindered any work.
🌱 Bud: This area refers to something you’re looking forward to in the future. This is an opportunity to explore possible outcomes and apply new learnings.
This growth mindset activity gives you the opportunity to debrief and flush out any lingering thoughts that may be brewing in your mind. Part of developing a growth mindset is reflecting and believing that your outcome isn't end-all. This exercise can help you shift from a fixed to a growth mindset.
Activity #2: Find the positives
Another way to start implementing a growth mindset is by putting a positive spin onto any situation. Merely changing the language can shift your mentality. Repeating positive affirmations and thoughts will brighten your overall attitude.
Try repeating these phrases to yourself:
- I strive for progress, not perfection.
- When I don’t succeed, I try again.
- There is a way around this.
- I wonder what this experience is trying to teach me?
- I can learn from my mistakes.
- I haven’t figured it out yet.
- It’s OK to make mistakes.
- This is not a dead-end.
What is a growth mindset, and how will it help my career? Great question! A growth mindset operates on the idea of reframing thoughts from negative to positive. It takes ownership of your results and decisions, so you can achieve your goals. We challenge you to practice restructuring your thought process to help you seek out growth opportunities.
Activity #3: Mindfulness
A growth mindset isn’t just mental, it also requires a bit of a physical shift. The mind and body go hand-in-hand when evolving into a growth mindset. While there are many ways to develop a growth mindset, try engaging in mindfulness activities. This practice weeds out any interpretation or judgment and allows you to focus on the present moment.
Try mindfulness activities like these:
- Breathing exercises
- Mediation
- Walking
- Stretching
- Laying down
As simple as these tasks are, they can have a profound effect on the mind. While you’re walking, listening to your breath, or clearing your mind, take the time to focus on the task at hand. Bring awareness to your thoughts and surroundings. Pursuing mindfulness activities can bring you new experiences and perspectives to familiar situations.
