Do you have a "Growth Mindset"?

“There are no failures. Just experiences and your reactions to them.” ~Tom Krause

One thing any even the most novice Gardener knows is that you can't grow on rocky soil.

In practical terms, heat, dryness, and disruption make the ground hard and bring rocks to the surface. It makes for a place where no long term growing can take place. The only way to correct it is to water, till and remove the rocks until you heal the soil back to a life-giving source. It's much the same with propagating growth in ourselves as human beings. 

It might be self-induced or happenstance, but you may find yourself in a place where you are rocky and dry.

It's easy during these times to be stale, whiney and a little hopeless about bringing in new growth to your life. I've been there. When I went searching, I found a woman named Dr. Carol Dweck who penned a term called "The Growth Mindset." (more )It involves changing the way we perceive ourselves can dramatically improve our feelings and results. In particular, two beliefs can make a difference: Can we enhance our abilities, or is this as good as we get? Does everyone want to grow? Do you?

Many of us secretly walk around with a “fixed mindset,” believing that our natural abilities are all we have, and it won’t get much better than this.

Dr. Dweck suggests that much like refusing to attempt to plant on rocks and dry earth, we much look our fixed mindset in the eye and speak to it. Beyond positive self-talk, it deals directly with the area you are feeling is your largest 'rock' - or failure. Here are her best suggestions:

1. Learn to hear your fixed mindset “voice.”

It's that little 'you can't do it' or 'Damn, it's happening again' or 'try again tomorrow' voice. 

2. Recognize that you have a choice. 

How you interpret challenges, setbacks, and criticism is your choice. They can be yet another failure or reason to stretch and take another approach. It's up to you.

3. Talk back to it with a growth mindset voice.

As you take on a  challenge, are you determined to avoid failure at all costs or are you willing to embrace the opportunity to learn and grow?

4. Take the growth mindset action. 

Over time, which voice you hear becomes your choice. Whether you assume the challenge wholeheartedly, learn from your setbacks, and try again is now in your hands.

It's Humpday. What is in your mindset regarding your growth? 

A wise man once said, "Fail. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Cheers.