Research shows that a growth mindset is dramatically correlated to higher achievement down the road.

Having a growth mindset means recognizing that failure, effort, and criticism are not the end of the world. In fact they are what makes learning possible.

So how do you develop a growth mindset?

First, don’t think about whether you’re smart or not smart.

Intelligence isn’t a trait that you have or don’t have. We’re all capable of constantly learning and evolving.

What’s important is to understand that your mind is like a muscle. To make it more powerful, you have to exercise it.

Learn more:

• you can learn anything (1.5 min video)
• 15 benefits of the growth mindset (article)
• the power of belief (11 min TEDx talk video)

It may sound like a paradox, but failure is growth! That’s because taking risks and failing gives us the best lessons on how to do better next time. In fact, it’s almost impossible to get good at anything without failing at it on some level.

Even though the fixed mindset person might think “only smart or talented people succeed,” the truth is that virtually all successful people failed many times to get where they are.

When we fear failure, we choose easy tasks which over time stunt our growth. But allowing ourselves to fail stretches our abilities and pushes us to learn.

It might sound obvious, but the only real failure is not trying in the first place.

As much as you can, think of failure as just another form of practice or rehearsal, another step on the way to success. 

People with fixed mindsets don’t just avoid failure; they also avoid effort. But as the saying goes, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”

A growth mindset recognizes that the process and the effort are where the real magic happens.

In one study, kids did a jigsaw puzzle, then were given a choice between redoing the same puzzle or doing a different, harder one. The kids with a fixed mindset did the same puzzle over again; those with a growth mindset chose the new challenge.

Translate that puzzle choice into everyday life decisions. What do you think makes your brain grow more? And who do you think is having more fun?

Another big difference between growth and fixed mindsets is how they approach feedback, including criticism.

People with fixed mindsets tend to view feedback in relation to the past and the present, as judgment—of their performance, capabilities, intelligence, etc.

People with growth mindsets, on the other hand, take a future-oriented approach: What can I learn now that can help me next time?

It’s not easy, though, to really listen when someone’s giving you feedback. You have to practice setting aside the feeling that you need to react so that you can focus 100% on the words and content of the feedback.

Try to remember a time when you received feedback with a growth mindset and a time when you had more of a fixed mindset. How were those situations different? What might you be able to do to help you tap into your growth mindset the next time you get feedback?

OK, this growth mindset stuff sounds great—but how do you grow your mindset?

Fixed-mindset thinking often plays out as negative self-talk, a critical voice we use on ourselves. It’s important to quiet that voice down and replace it with more encouraging forms of self-talk.

To grow your mindset, learn to notice your inner voice and make a conscious effort to adjust those messages. Remind yourself:

• you can’t ever succeed if you don’t try
• failing is often an important part of succeeding
• hearing feedback now will help you do better in the future

And try word substitutions: use growing, learning, and feedback, not failing, struggle, and criticism.

Tuning your inner voice to growth mindset thinking takes practice! (It’s also harder the more stressed you get, so be kind to yourself!)

Be patient and stick with it―the payoff is huge.