Time for an attitude check. Do you believe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Or are you the sort of person who’s constantly learning and adapting? “Growth mindset” refers to an attitude some people have that they are capable of lifelong learning and achievement and it’s based on the neuroplasticity research of Dr. Carol Dweck, a professor at Stanford University.
Her work proves that not only can you teach an old dog new tricks, you can teach an old dog to believe she can learn new tricks. And shifting to a growth mindset can be very good for both you and your business.
Here are 5 ways a growth mindset can benefit you.
- Reduce your stress level. Owning your own business comes with a certain amount of stress. But that amount often depends on your attitude and approach. A growth mindset sets one free from perfectionistic tendencies. The goal is learning and growing, not perfection, so you ditch the stress that comes with it.
- Have fun doing things you’re bad at. People with a growth mindset understand that any new skill requires practice. You’re not going to hit a home run your first time at bat. When that pressure is off, you can have fun just stepping up to the plate.
- Improve your business relationships. People with a fixed mindset are often fueled by competition and wanting to prove they’re the best. The more relaxed attitude of a growth mindset allows you to make deeper connections with people instead of worrying about being better than them. Forming good relationships can expand your network and help grow your business in healthier ways than a killer instinct.
- Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Being willing to put in the work it takes to learn and adapt to changing circumstances give you a great sense of how to leverage your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
- Quickly recover from setbacks. Setbacks are an expected part of the game for those with the growth mindset. You won’t waste energy fuming over every bump in the road. You just pick yourself up and move on.
So, cast off your old assumptions about what you’re capable of achieving and get your growth mindset on.