Reshaping Your Mindset: From “I Can’t” to “I Can” (And Why Resilience Matters)

Reshaping Your Mindset: From “I Can’t” to “I Can” (And Why Resilience Matters)


By Jacquelyn Wieland, The Congruent Leader

We’ve all been there. That nagging voice inside your head says, “You’re not good enough,” or, “You’ll never figure this out.” It’s frustrating, and it can hold you back. But here’s the truth: the stories we tell ourselves often become our reality.

If you believe you can’t do something, you probably won’t even try—or worse, you’ll sabotage your own efforts. But what if you changed the narrative? What if, instead of telling yourself “I can’t,” you added one small word: “I can’t… yet”?

This shift is the essence of a growth mindset. It’s about embracing the belief that skills and abilities can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence. However, to truly thrive, a growth mindset isn’t enough. You need resilience—the strength to keep moving forward when the path gets tough, messy, or uncertain.

Resilience fuels your growth mindset. It’s what keeps you pushing through setbacks, reframing failure as opportunity, and showing up day after day, even when progress feels slow. Together, resilience and a growth mindset create a powerful foundation for personal and professional success.

Here’s how to start building both:


Count on It: Resilience Starts with Belief

An interesting statistic: Employees in organizations aligned with growth mindset principles are 34% more likely to feel committed to their companies (Harvard Business Review, 2014).

This isn’t just about professional success. When you pair resilience with a growth mindset, you’re better equipped to adapt, stay motivated, and find meaning in the challenges you face. Resilience ensures you don’t just survive tough moments—you grow through them.


Act on It: Take Small Steps Forward

Resilience is built one step at a time. Take action today by learning something new. Enroll in an online course or pick up a skill that pushes you slightly outside your comfort zone.

Growth doesn’t happen in one giant leap; it happens in the small, daily choices to keep going. Learning to navigate discomfort—whether it’s mastering a skill or tackling a hard conversation—strengthens both your growth mindset and resilience.


Connect on It: Learn from Others

Resilience doesn’t have to be a solo act. Look at the people around you—your coworkers, friends, and mentors. Who demonstrates resilience? What have they learned from their challenges?

Ask them questions:

  • How do you stay motivated during tough times?
  • What’s one challenge you’ve overcome, and how did it shape you?

Building these connections not only strengthens your mindset but also reminds you that resilience grows through shared experiences and support.


Think on It: Reframe Failure as Growth

Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” What if you approached failure with the same mindset?

Instead of seeing mistakes as dead ends, view them as feedback. Ask yourself:

  • What can I learn from this?
  • How will this make me stronger for the future?

Resilience and a growth mindset are about perspective. When you embrace the idea that failure is part of the journey, you unlock the freedom to take risks and learn from every step.


Why Resilience and Growth Mindset Go Hand in Hand

Your growth mindset gives you the vision to see what’s possible. Your resilience ensures you keep going until you reach it. Resilience is the quiet strength that helps you rise after every fall, the grit that propels you forward when the road gets tough. Together, they enable you to face challenges head-on and thrive through change.


Final Thoughts from The Congruent Leader

The combination of a growth mindset and resilience isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a strategy for life. They’re not just about what you think; they’re about what you do with those thoughts.

Every step you take toward growth and every moment you persevere through challenges builds a stronger, more congruent version of yourself. You may not be great at something yet, but with resilience and a growth mindset, you’re well on your way.

Today, tell yourself a new story. One where you’re capable, resourceful, and unshakable.

What’s your next step toward growth and resilience? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.


Jacquelyn Wieland, The Congruent Leader

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