Simplifying Success: Master the Art of Growth Mindset in Your Career

Recently my kids tried to teach me an entirely new concept. It started with on of my boys telling me about his day at school and saying I’m the fastest in my class but I’m not the fastest in my school. I mean, I’m not the fastest in my school, yet. You’re supposed to say yet after things you can’t do. Did you know that, Mom? I did in fact know that trick and was a little disappointed that I hadn’t taught it to them myself. The two big kids went back and forth explaining what they first called open mindset and quickly corrected themselves to, growth mindset.

Back up, what’s Growth Mindset?

Incase this you don’t know this concept, or you’ve only heard it from buttoned up PHD type people, let me explain through kid’s eyes. growth mindset is the idea that there is always room for more. You’re always able to improve and change. This is compared to a fixed mindset where you believe your skills and abilities are limited to wherever you are.

So, to use my kid’s original example, a fixed mindset would tell you that if you’re not currently the fastest kid in school you’ll never be the fastest. You are where you are in the rank, and you’ll never get better. A growth mindset however adds that conditional element. You’re not the fastest yet implies that you can get there. With enough time and practice you’ll get where you want to be. Said another way (my little guy’s version), ‘Growth mindset means even though you’re not the best today, you’re not the best yet; it doesn’t mean you can’t be tomorrow. Keep trying, you never know.’

Whether you’re talking kids or adults you’ll most likely hear growth mindset in conjunction with working toward something positive. You use a growth mindset to push you out of your complacent comfort zone to thrive at a level you never knew you could. However, you can also use a growth mindset to move away from pain and hurt.

Growth mindset can help through the hard times too?

It’s wonderful that having the right growth mindset can help your kid get from good to great and move beyond their current skills to grow to new heights. Some days though, you just need them to get out of their funk. I have personally seen my son go from low level frustration to all out fit because he thinks a downward spiral is the only option. In those situations, we’re starting to practice a growth mindset too. When my little guy gets to this point and we’re trying to deescalate we practice identifying the feeling and what triggered it. We take a couple of deep breaths and acknowledge that the feeling is valid, but the behavior might not be. Then we talk about options to move forward and/or prevent this issue in the future.

The football example

An example might go like this, little man is angry because his brothers aren’t playing fairly with him. Playing football, the self-appointed QB only throws to one brother. If he does finally throw to the other brother it is an uncatchable ball so that he can never catch it. As a result, the guy getting left out screams at them, makes his last tackle a bit too hard, and runs into the house to pout.

When I talk to him I’ll ask how he was feeling, and if it’s really intense I’ll give him some suggestions on how I think he might be feeling and why. All the while I’m taking really deep breaths and ask him to do the same if he doesn’t follow my lead. Then I tell him I get it, that situation would have made me feel left out, disrespected, angry or whatever his feeling was. Screaming and hiding maybe weren’t the best option though, what are some other ones?

Does this always work? No. Sometimes the situation is too far gone. Even in those instances taking a little time away from the situation will usually allow a good conversation on it.

How does it apply to adults?

Reading all of that could you see yourself in the kiddos? Or have you read this far with a slightly smug feeling. Are you thinking, sure, this is probably true for littles but I’m a fully grown person and I’m smarter than playing word tricks on my brain. Well friend, there are countless studies that say otherwise. The mindset you come at problems and challenges with impacts your results whether you’re 6, 16, or 56.

If you’re a little nerdy, like I am, you might also question with these relatively new studies if the tests are even valid. If so, have no fear, the APA (American Psychological Association) published a study on the measures of the growth mindset studies. Very meta I know. If you’re interested, check out that study here. Otherwise, take my word for it. Your mindset impacts your results, and we can be confident that this is true across ages.

It’s at least got to be more complex for adults, right?

It really isn’t. Your situations that cause you to spiral feel more complex because you’re living them. You have a front row seat to all the intricacies and nuances. Are you frustrated because of a ridiculous policy that was forced upon you by upper management? Did you get passed over for that promotion or opportunity you wanted and it went to someone less deserving? Are you feeling trapped because you want to do something else but don’t know anything other than what you’re doing now? None of those are much different than the football game I’m afraid.

Let’s give the Growth Mindset Tactic a shot

Take a few deep breaths with me and consider how you’re feeling about the situation that you’re in. Do you feel disempowered by the new policy and the fact that you had no say in it? Are you angry that you didn’t get the opportunity? Do the walls feel like they are closing in on you in your current role and you can’t see a way out? That sucks friend. I’m so sorry that that happened, and I totally get why you would feel the way you do! I completely understand why you might be frustrated, angry, hurt, scared, and I think that anyone in your situation would feel similarly. You know what, I even get the need to vent and let off a little steam about it.

Put the tactic into practice

You know what won’t fix it? Spending and hour commiserating with a coworker. Neither will texting endless angry messages to your friend or standing around in your kitchen reliving all of the rage with your spouse. It feels better for a second, but just isn’t productive. What could we do instead? Could you learn more about why the policy is needed? Could you make recommendations after trying it out on what would work better? What about that missed opportunity, could you make your own? Perhaps you propose an option for you to go to a conference, take on a project, or sit in on a meeting. Maybe you could better understand why you aren’t getting the promotion. Learn what is keeping you stuck in the role you’re in. Then, if you wanted, you could start looking for your own promotion elsewhere. You could look to see what is available in your organization and outside of it. Making a decision and taking some small action toward that decision is key to actually fixing the problem and empowering you along the way.

Wrap it up

Will this tactic always work for you? No. Just like with my little guy, sometimes you’ll be too fired up for it to work in the moment. Challenge yourself to try. Go through the tactic once or twice in the moment and come back to it later if you need to. Some days and some triggers will be more difficult than others. If you can’t seem to get yourself out of the funk, remember you’re just not out yet. You have the capacity for growth and change. Remember, like my kiddo told me, just because you can’t do it today, doesn’t mean you can’t tomorrow. Keep trying, you never know.