The power of ‘yet’. Cultivate a growth mindset.

I wrote this for anyone who is getting in their own way when it comes to achieving their goals.

Yet. This small word can be so powerful to encourage learning, maintain engagement and increase confidence.

Dr Carol Dweck, best known for her work on ‘fixed’ and ‘growth’ mindset.

Fixed mindset: your talents and skills are something you have naturally. You may also believe that your talent and intelligence alone leads to success, and effort is not required or is less important.

Growth mindset: your talents and abilities can be developed over time through effort and persistence. People with this mndset don't necessarily believe that everyone can become Einstein or Mozart just because they try. They do, however, believe that everyone can get smarter or more talented if they work at it.

We might know the theory of having a growth mindset but often we can default back to a fixed mindset when we hit bumps in the road. I’ve seen this a lot in my work with clients, especially this time of year when willpower starts to run out in regard to our new year’s resolutions.

Dweck explains that none of us have a pure fixed or growth mindset, that it depends on the situation. Her Ted talk is very interesting and you can see it here.

She outlines how it can be much more motivating and inspiring to change “not achieved” to “not achieved yet”. This subtle addition can open up possibility. Nothing is final.

It isn’t just a nice thing to do. Your mindset plays a critical role in how you respond to life’s challenges.

In her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," Dweck writes that those with fixed mindsets are constantly seeking the validation to prove their worth not just to others, but also to themselves. People with growth mindsets focus more on the journey and progression.

I invite you to check your language that you use to yourself. Do you have goals but conflicting unconscious ideas that you’re not someone who can achieve that? How could adding ‘yet’ give you a bit more motivation to keep going or try a different approach?

As always, if you’d like to talk through any of the above and cultivate more of a growth mindset then you can book a confidential coaching call over Zoom - find a time that suits you here.