“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts” - Marcus Aurelius 

When browsing through your local bookstore, do you ever find yourself in the self-help section?  Titles like “Ten Ways to A Positive Mind” or “7 Habits to Create Happiness” catch your eye and you wonder if reading that will solve your problems. Often these books share insights, tools, and different perspectives. However, the hardest part is taking these suggestions and creating your own routine. How will this work for you? The work and answer are always you. 

In recent years growth mindset has become a buzzword. In 2017, Stanford Professor, Carol Dweck, developed the concept of a growth mindset in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In the book, she differentiates between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. 

In a growth mindset, the belief is an individual’s intelligence and talent can be improved through effort and learning. Those with this mindset also believe that setbacks are a necessary part of individual growth and that struggling or failing is temporary. 

In a fixed mindset, the belief is an individual’s intelligence and talent are fixed and static. Those with this mindset will often avoid challenges or accept struggles. They often think a situation or mindset can not be fixed or changed, no matter the effort the individual puts in. 

You may be asking yourself, do I have a growth mindset? Do I accept challenges? Do I view situations as fixed? The reality is that you can change your mindset if you wish. 

Here are a few key habits to help strengthen a growth mindset.

1. Replace the word “ failing” with “learning”

2. Accept challenges as opportunities

3. Be curious and try new things

4. Understand that growth is a process, not a destination

We encourage you to challenge yourself, embrace the struggle, and turn inward for answers.