How to Develop a Growth Mindset - Prepare yourself For Success

How To Develop A Growth Mindset - What if your true learning potential was unknown, near impossible to know, at best? Imagine if you didn't know exactly what you could achieve with a few years of dedication, hard work, and training? Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck asserts that this isn't some hypothetical situation, influenced by various factors, like genes or environment. Rather, it's a mindset. And it can be developed at any stage of life.

As the concept of the growth mindset gains traction in the world of education, it poses the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort. And with good reason. The perspective or "mindset" of a student can have a significant impact on their academic success, motivation, and future. Teachers, as primary mentors, can play an important role in cultivating that growth mindset in students.

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What Is A Growth Mindset?

To be able to understand how to develop a growth mindset, it is first important to understand what a growth mindset is. According to one intelligence theory, people can be classified based on their implicit beliefs about their abilities. A growth mindset about a specific personal quality or ability, such as personality, intelligence, or happiness, means believing that the attribute is malleable, that it can change and develop with effort and practice. It is a tendency to believe that you can grow.

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Fixed Mindset Vs. Growth Mindset

Dr. Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford University, developed the theory of fixed and growth mindsets.

Fixed Mindset - Students with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities, talents, and overall intelligence are fixed traits. They may believe that any difficulties they face are due to a lack of natural skills and talent. Or, they may believe they "aren't good enough," so they refuse to attempt a difficult assignment. A fixed mindset in the classroom is believing that you are "good at writing" or "bad at writing."

Growth Mindset - Students with a growth mindset believe they can improve their skills and talents through hard work, perseverance, and practice. They generally believe they are capable of learning almost anything if they put their minds to it, and they are motivated to persevere after making mistakes. They are more receptive to lessons and feedback because they believe they can improve through hard work and trying new learning methods.

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How To Develop A Growth Mindset In Students

Now, let’s focus on how students can develop a growth mindset and see its impact on their studies and student life.

Embrace Imperfections And Failure

Take the time to recognise, reflect on, and embrace all of your failures. Recognizing your areas for improvement is the first step in understanding how to develop a growth mindset. Brushing your flaws under the rug will only limit your ability to succeed.

For example, Students often avoid trying new concepts, participating in school activities, and expressing their opinions for fear of failing and appearing inexperienced. They prefer to keep a low profile and cheer on their peers. These behaviors can impede their development as individuals. As a result, teachers must explain why it is critical to embrace failure and accept one's flaws. Encourage students to keep going when they give an incorrect answer or have difficulty with an activity, and believe that they can practise and revise their work to improve performance.

Many schools across the country believe that embracing failure and viewing it as an opportunity to learn will help students develop a growth mindset. Students are encouraged to participate in both classwork and extracurricular activities. Teachers provide support and guidance to students as they pursue their interests. They are less likely to be afraid of failing when they know they have a support system.

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View Challenges As Opportunities

Breaking the negative perception of a challenge is an important part of understanding how to develop a growth mindset. Accept challenges and see them as valuable learning opportunities that you would not have otherwise. Having a growth mindset means looking forward to opportunities for self-improvement.

For example, the more you enjoy a challenge, the more conditioned you will become to not only perseverance but also experiencing setbacks and struggling as a prelude to success. "I'll never beat this level" video game players rarely think. Athletes rarely think to themselves, "I simply cannot make this shot”.

Teachers can also assist students in accepting their flaws by assisting them in viewing their mistakes as beneficial. One practical way to encourage that attitude is to analyse the most common mistakes that the class made on a test or quiz together. The more open everyone is about their mistakes, the less importance any student will place on future mistakes.

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Incorporate Different Learning Methods

Diversity is an important aspect of understanding how to develop a growth mindset. Students can seek assistance from teachers, and teachers can incorporate various learning methods into the classroom. This will demonstrate to the students that they can achieve their objectives in more than one way. Instead of the usual teacher lecture in front of the class, assign students to work individually, in pairs, or in groups.

For example, students can be provided with projects or class assignments that they can complete individually or in groups. They can let go of the fixed mindset when they see how they can achieve results in more than one way. There is no one-size-fits-all learning model. What works for one person might not work for another. You can also foster a growth mindset by incorporating audio-visual clips, games, and enjoyable physical activities.

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Make A List Of Objectives And Set Goals

People with a growth mindset understand that once one goal is completed, they have others lined up to pursue. Create specific, attainable goals based on your passion and purpose. Also, allow yourself enough time to thoroughly conquer them.

For example, you will never be finished learning. Just because your mid-term exam is finished does not mean you should abandon your interest in a subject. People who are goal-oriented understand how to constantly set new objectives to keep themselves motivated.

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Embrace The Word ‘Yet’

Integrating the word “yet” in your vocabulary indicates that you can overcome any obstacle. It only takes a little time and effort. The practice of growth mindset activities such as yet begins to shift that fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Dr. Dweck believes that the word "yet" can have a positive impact on students and help them develop a growth mindset. You can use the word to change the meaning of a sentence that indicates the student wants to quit.

For example, if a student says, "I can't finish the Math problem", the teacher can change the sentence's negative connotation by adding "yet." "You haven't finished the math problem yet". This distinction indicates that there is still room for improvement, and the student may try again. The second expression promotes a growth mindset.

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Stop Seeking Approval

When you put approval ahead of learning, you limit your growth potential. We need to understand this if we want to understand how to develop a growth mindset.

Students must learn the value of individuality and independence at a young age. This will boost their confidence and reduce their need for external approval. You cannot develop a growth mindset if you rely on the approval of others.

You learn to do things based on what others think. However, being an independent thinker allows you to make your own decisions and explore new ideas.

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Students must cultivate a growth mindset and maintain optimism as they continue to hone their skills and learn new concepts. The defining characteristic of a growth mindset—the belief that intelligence is malleable—provides a powerful formula for improving student outcomes. They will be able to improve their personalities and become productive adults as a result of this. A growth mindset is essential for all students' success and those who believe they can become smarter will put forth the effort necessary for higher achievement.

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Author- The author of this article is Yashodhra Arora, who is a Counselling Psychologist, with extensive experience in Career Counselling for high school students.