How do you develop a growth mindset for career success?

1 Identify your fixed mindset triggers

A fixed mindset is the opposite of a growth mindset. It is the belief that your talents and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed. A fixed mindset can limit your potential, make you avoid risks, and resist feedback. To develop a growth mindset, you need to identify the situations that trigger your fixed mindset, such as facing a difficult task, receiving criticism, or comparing yourself to others. By recognizing these triggers, you can challenge your negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

2 Adopt a learning orientation

A learning orientation is the attitude that you are always willing and able to learn new things, and that you value the process of learning more than the outcome. A learning orientation can help you develop a growth mindset, as it motivates you to seek feedback, embrace challenges, and learn from mistakes. To adopt a learning orientation, you need to set specific and achievable learning goals, seek out opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge, and reflect on your progress and areas for improvement.

3 Seek constructive feedback

Constructive feedback is the information that helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and how to improve your performance. Constructive feedback can help you develop a growth mindset, as it enables you to identify your gaps, adjust your strategies, and measure your results. To seek constructive feedback, you need to ask for it regularly from different sources, such as your manager, peers, mentors, or customers. You also need to listen to it with an open mind, ask questions to clarify, and act on it with a plan.

4 Embrace challenges

Challenges are the situations that test your abilities and skills, and push you out of your comfort zone. Challenges can help you develop a growth mindset, as they force you to stretch yourself, try new things, and overcome obstacles. To embrace challenges, you need to view them as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than threats to avoid or fear. You also need to break down big challenges into smaller and manageable steps, and celebrate your achievements along the way.

5 Learn from mistakes

Mistakes are the errors or failures that happen when you try something new or difficult. Mistakes can help you develop a growth mindset, as they teach you valuable lessons, reveal your blind spots, and inspire you to innovate. To learn from mistakes, you need to acknowledge them without blaming yourself or others, analyze them without dwelling on them, and apply them without repeating them. You also need to share your mistakes with others, and learn from their mistakes as well.

6 Cultivate a supportive network

A supportive network is the group of people who encourage, inspire, and help you achieve your goals. A supportive network can help you develop a growth mindset, as it provides you with positive reinforcement, diverse perspectives, and useful resources. To cultivate a supportive network, you need to surround yourself with people who have a growth mindset, such as mentors, role models, peers, or friends. You also need to contribute to your network by offering your support, feedback, and gratitude.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?