A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve and grow through effort and experience. This means that you are not limited by your current abilities, but that you can always get better. People with a growth mindset see failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. They view obstacles as challenges to be overcome.

People with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, believe that their ability is set in stone. They see failure as a sign of incompetence and avoid challenging tasks for fear of looking bad. As a result, they never reach their full potential.

Watch my video to learn more.

Growth mindset vs fixed mindset difference

It’s important to note that everyone has both a fixed and growth mindset – we all have areas where we are more likely to give up when things get tough. The key is to be aware of your mindset in different areas of your life and make a conscious effort to adopt a growth mindset when necessary.

For example, if you have a fixed mindset about your intelligence, you might avoid challenging tasks for fear of looking stupid. But if you can develop a growth mindset about your intelligence, you will see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

You will be more likely to take on challenging tasks because you know that it is through these challenges that you will become smarter.

It’s not always easy to change your mindset, but it is possible with some effort and practice.

That brings me to my next point.

How to develop a growth mindset

Here are steps that you can take to start developing a growth mindset today!

Start setting bigger goals

If you don’t have goals in your life, that’s the first place to start. I’m talking finances, health, relationships, and everything else that is important to you.

Without goals, it’s impossible to measure your progress and growth.

Start by making a list of all the things you want to achieve in the next year. Then, break these down into smaller goals that you can achieve each month. For example, if your goal is to save $1,000 in the next year, your monthly goal could be to save $83.33 per month.

Once you have your goals set, it’s time to start working towards them!

But don’t forget, setting goals is only part of the equation–you also need to take actionable steps towards achieving them.

So what are some actionable steps you can take?

Make sure that your goals are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This will help you create a clear plan of action and increase your chances of achieving your goals.

It’s also important to have realistic expectations. If you set unrealistic goals, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration. So make sure that your goals challenge you but are still within the realm of possibility.

And finally, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way! Each milestone is a reason to celebrate and an opportunity to reflect on how far you’ve come.

I love celebrating achievements with my friends over some wine, good food, and taking time to relax. Do what works for you.

Regularly get out of your comfort zone

One of the best ways to grow is to regularly challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone. When you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, you learn new things, gain new skills, and become more resilient.

Take the Yerkes–Dodson Law for example.

The model, developed by researchers in 1908, found that the optimal level of performance is had when you experience a moderate level of anxiety/stimulation.

Too little, and you get bored.

Too much, and you get overwhelmed.

The key is to put yourself in situations that are new and uncomfortable but not enough that they cause you severe discomfort.

There are many ways to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Here are a few ideas:

Take on a new project at work.
Start a side hustle.
Travel to a new place.
Join a club or group.
Attend an event or conference.
Read a book outside of your usual genre.
Meet a new person every day.
Etc.

Whatever you do, make sure that it is something that genuinely interests you. If you’re not interested in what you’re doing, it will be much harder to stick with it.

I like to challenge myself by trying new things and taking on new projects. For example, I recently pivoted this entire business to focus on self development.

I’m the Director of Marketing at a startup and the Co-Founder of a marketing firm, giving me the perfect flexibility to change the direction of my personal brand.

…All of which focus on my greatest passions like business, health, fashion, mindset, etc.

Find a mentor or coach

One of the best ways to fast-track your growth is to find a mentor or coach. A mentor is someone who can guide you, give you advice, and help you grow in your chosen field.

Here are some cool facts about mentorship:

39% of people say it helps them increase their confidence.
23% agree mentors help the manage stress.
20% get a promotion because of a mentor.
15% achieved greater work-life balance.

A coach is similar to a mentor but they also help you develop specific skills and achieve specific goals.

For example, if you want to grow your business, you might hire a business coach. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, you might hire a speech coach.

If you’re not sure where to start, try reaching out to someone in your network who has achieved what you want to achieve. Ask them for coffee or lunch and pick their brain!

You can also look for mentors and coaches online. There are many programs and courses available that can help you develop the skills you need to succeed.

I have personally found a lot of success with mentors and coaches. I have hired several different coaches over the years.

Each one of these coaches has helped me in different areas of my life and I am truly grateful for their guidance.

If you’re looking for a mentor or coach, make sure to do your research and find someone who you feel aligned with. Once you find the right person, they can be an invaluable asset on your journey to success!

Spend time with positive influences

You’re the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.

I’ve hung around good influences, bad ones, and in-between.

I can tell you first-hand that spending time with uplifting ambitious people is one of the greatest things you can do for your success.

Negative people will hold you back from developing a growth mindset and improving yourself.

On the other hand, positive influences will inspire you, challenge you, and push you to be your best self.

Check out this video from Jordan Peterson to learn more about what I’m saying:

I am so grateful for my friends and family who lift each other up and help us all reach our highest potential.

As you develop yourself, you’ll naturally attract like-minded individuals.

Think about it…

If you’re in the gym, at networking events, and similar environments, you’re going to meet wonderful people.

You go to these places because you want to get out of your comfort zone.

Also, make an effort to attend meetups and events so you’re taking meeting new people into your own hands.

Read on a regular basis

Reading is one of the best habits you can develop for personal growth.

When you read, you expose yourself to new ideas and perspectives.

I try to go through a book every week if possible.

It’s nice to take a break from work, read, and have an espresso. It’s a simple pleasure I love.

Did you know that legendary investor Warren Buffet reads 6 hours per day?

Yeah, you read that right…

That equals out to about 500 pages.

You can learn about anything and everything by picking up a book too.

Some of my favourite books are:

The Power of Now
The Alchemist
The Compound Effect
Psycho-Cybernetics
Tribe of Mentors
The Millionaire Next Door

These are just a few examples but there are endless amounts of books out there that can help you grow in different areas of your life.

Make sure to set aside some time each day or week to read. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, it will make a big difference!

Take the time to reflect on your progress

One of my favourite practices from the stoic philosopher Seneca is to plead your case at your own court every evening.

This means to journal and reflect on your day.

What you learned … what you did right … what you did wrong.

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and not reflect on your progress.

But it’s so important to take the time to celebrate your wins and learn from your losses.

This simple practice has helped me become more aware of my thought patterns, behaviours, and actions.

As a result, I’ve been able to correct course when needed and stay on track towards my goals.

In fact, a daily gratitude journal increases your overall well-being by 10%.

There are many other ways you can reflect on your progress such as meditating, writing in a gratitude journal, or talking to a friend or family member.

Find what works best for you and make sure to reflect on your day regularly.

Create a daily schedule to stay productive

If you want to develop a growth mindset, you need a consistent schedule.

And, you won’t get there by being unorganized.

You need to find a system that works for you and stick with it.

I use a combination of Asana and Google Calendar to stay on track.

Asana is great for managing projects and keeping track of deadlines.

Google Calendar helps me plan my week so I know what’s coming up and can schedule my time accordingly.

I also make sure to batch similar tasks together so I can stay in the zone and be as productive as possible.

For example, I’ll do all my hardest technical work in the morning, moderate work during the afternoon, and easy tasks in the evening as I plan my next day.

By breaking down my day into manageable chunks, I’m able to get a lot more done and avoid burnout.

Be honest about your strengths and weakness

One of the most important things you can do for personal growth is to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.

This seems like common sense but so many people try to act like they’re perfect.

They pretend they don’t have any weaknesses or they try to hide them.

But the truth is, we all have flaws and that’s okay!

In fact, it’s essential for a growth mindset.

If you’re not aware of your weaknesses, you’ll never be able to improve upon them.

And if you’re not honest about your strengths, you’ll never be able to leverage them properly.

So take some time to sit down and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself and use that knowledge to help you grow.

If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s also useful because you determine what you should outsource or hire people for so you can focus on your strengths.

Ask others for constructive feedback

One of the best things you can do for personal growth is to ask others for feedback.

But, it’s important to make sure you’re asking for constructive feedback and not just praise.

Constructive feedback, on the other hand, will help you understand what you’re doing well and where you need to improve.

It’s essential for helping you become the best version of yourself!

And don’t just take my word for it, ask anyone who’s successful and they’ll tell you the same thing.

Feedback is essential for growth.

Next time someone offers to give you some feedback, accept it graciously and use it to help you improve.

Focus on positive thoughts

It’s easy to be hard on yourself, judge your every move, and look at things through a negative lens.

It takes real effort to be a positive person.

But, it’s a huge part of developing a growth mindset.

You need to believe in yourself and your ability to improve.

And, you need to focus on the positive instead of the negative.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore your weaknesses or pretend they don’t exist.

It just means that you should focus on your strengths and the progress you’re making instead of dwelling on your mistakes.

I can’t recommend content from Eckart Tolle enough to learn about mindfulness and similar practices.

Embrace challenges as good opportunities

If you want to get better and develop a growth mindset, it’s going to require challenges and obstacles.

Plain and simple.

After all, the saying isn’t “no pain, no gain” for nothing!

But, a lot of people see challenges as roadblocks instead of opportunities.

They get discouraged and give up when things get tough.

But, if you want to succeed, you need to embrace challenges as good opportunities!

Every time you face a challenge and overcome it, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you thought.

You’re also building valuable skills and experience that will help you in the future.

So next time you’re facing a difficult situation, don’t give up! Embrace the challenge and use it as an opportunity to grow.

Enjoy the process, not the results

Something I see a lot of people get caught up in is focusing on rewards and results versus the journey itself.

Sure, you want to see your income increase, your body gets in better shape, and so on.

But…

Self-developing is a life-long process.

Focusing on the results will cause you to be impatient and anxious.

I’m not saying to scrap your goals and milestones. You need those.

However, always keep your mind on the long-term and simply enjoy the work you put in every single day.

There’s always going to be something else you desire or wish to achieve.

Putting too much emphasis on the fruits of your labour can actually set you back.

On that note, I love spiritual material and there’s a wonderful book called the Bhagavad Gita.

A part of its scripture that always stood out to me translates to, “Hard work doesn’t lead to a reward, hard work is the reward.”

Let that sink in.

Take healthy amounts of risk

You’re not going to get anywhere in life that’s beyond average if you don’t take risk.

You need to take risk in business, your career, dating, and everything in between if above-average results are what you want.

I’m not saying to put your life savings on red in Vegas.

However, if you don’t take any risk whatsoever, you’re going to stay where you’re at.

You need to be open-minded and understand that taking risks comes with the territory of success.

It’s how progress is made!

And lastly,

Be persistent!

Creating lasting change takes time so make sure you’re in it for the long haul.

Remember, a growth mindset is something you develop over time through continuous effort and dedication.

So don’t get discouraged if things don’t change overnight. You’ll learn to love the process.

Final thoughts on how to develop a growth mindset

If you want the most out of life, you must develop a growth mindset.

It will lead you to getting the body of your dreams, increasing your income, and having the perfect relationship.

However, too many people do the opposite…

They don’t get out of their comfort zone, they complain, and don’t expand themselves.

Follow everything I outlined in this article and you will quickly develop a growth mindset and transform your life. Guaranteed.

Carmine

Hey! My name is Carmine Mastropierro and I'm a self-growth, marketing, and business coach. I've helped businesses drive millions in revenue and also work as the Senior Advertising Manager at a 300+ person agency.