Small ways to apply growth mindset in daily life

No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.

– Carol Dweck

– Focus more on the efforts you are making. Whatever you do, give it your best. Continue to work hard because you want to get better at your craft.

I am applying this by trying to write more blogs to improve my writing. I do not analyse my productivity or my work based on how much likes I get but on how much effort I put in. The more I continue to do so, the more I will learn and improve. It has been a radical shift in my perspective actually, choosing to focus on my efforts and working hard instead of waiting for some reward.

I remember the kind of blogs I used to write earlier, when I had just started writing and the kind of blogs I write now. There is definitely a huge difference. And it happened because I started writing more. I think focus on creating more is the key here, you will improve along the way.

If parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning. That way, their children don’t have to be slaves of praise. They will have a lifelong way to build and repair their own confidence.

– Carol Dweck

– Take on Challenges. Do not be scared of failure, its just a stepping stone towards success.

To be honest, my parents did not read this research when they were parenting me. I was the kind of girl who will try new things and if I don’t get it right the first time, I will think this is not for me and I will move on.

All this changed the moment I started reading the book ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck. Now I am more open to taking on challenges. I am willing to try and fail and try and fail and try again and see where it takes me. I was never a “challenge loving” person. I am still not completely, but now at least I am open to trying new things and give it a shot again and again. Even if I don’t get something right in the first attempt, I will not associate that with my self worth and try again. I found comfort in knowing that – failure is not the opposite of success, its a part of it. So true!

True self-confidence is “the courage to be open—to welcome change and new ideas regardless of their source.” Real self-confidence is not reflected in a title, an expensive suit, a fancy car, or a series of acquisitions. It is reflected in your mindset: your readiness to grow.

– Carol Dweck

– Be confident in your ability to figure things out. Not just based on your achievements or what you have already done, but your willingness to take on challenges.

I find it liberating to associate my self confidence with my efforts instead of the results. Earlier I was so focused on the outcome of my efforts that when I tried and failed, I blamed myself for it. And it did no good for my self esteem. And eventually I started getting frustrated by all this.

But now as I focus my attention on the efforts I am taking, it feels good. Its like you are in control of how much you work hard and be proud about that.

Also I have noticed that this type of confidence is more stable. When I have confidence that – I will win the next competition, it is unstable if I lose. When I have confidence that – This project is hard, but I am ready to take all the efforts, I feel stable.

You know that even if something comes to disrupt your path, you have confidence that you will figure out the way.

Mindset change is not about picking up a few pointers here and there. It’s about seeing things in a new way. When people…change to a growth mindset, they change from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and-help-learn framework. Their commitment is to growth, and growth take plenty of time, effort, and mutual support.

– Carol Dweck