Your mindset is the lens through which you see the world. It influences how you approach challenges, seize opportunities, and recover from setbacks. But here’s the good news: your mindset isn’t fixed—it’s something you can actively shape. By embracing a growth mindset, you open the door to personal development and long-term success.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m just not good at this,” or “This is too hard for me,” you may be stuck in a fixed mindset. But what if you could change that? What if, instead of seeing failure as the end of the road, you started seeing it as a stepping stone to improvement?
What Is a Growth Mindset?
Psychologist Carol Dweck, who coined the terms “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset,” explains the difference simply:
- Fixed Mindset: You believe your abilities, intelligence, and talents are set in stone. Success feels like validation, and failure feels like proof that you’re not enough.
- Growth Mindset: You see your abilities as flexible and evolving. Effort, learning, and resilience are tools to grow and improve.
Here’s a powerful stat to consider: People with a growth mindset are 34% more likely to achieve their goals than those with a fixed mindset. Why? Because they view challenges as opportunities rather than barriers.
Signs You’re Stuck in a Fixed Mindset
- You avoid tasks where you might fail because you fear looking bad.
- You feel threatened by others’ success instead of inspired.
- You give up easily when faced with obstacles.
But remember, these are not permanent traits. Recognizing these tendencies is the first step to changing them.
How to Shift to a Growth Mindset
Making the shift to a growth mindset takes time and intention, but it’s worth it. Here’s how to get started:
1. Reflect on Challenges
Think about a recent situation where you struggled. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, ask yourself:
- What did I learn?
- How can I approach this differently next time?
For example, if you missed a deadline, instead of labeling yourself as disorganized, reflect on what caused the delay. Could better planning or prioritization help next time?
2. Reframe Your Inner Dialogue
Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself when things get tough. Replace negative, fixed-mindset thoughts with empowering alternatives:
- “I’m terrible at this” → “I’m still learning, and that’s okay.”
- “I’ll never figure this out” → “What’s one small step I can take right now?”
Language is powerful. The way you speak to yourself can shape your confidence and drive.
3. Set Growth-Oriented Goals
Choose one skill or area of your life to focus on this month. It could be something big, like learning a new language, or something smaller, like improving how you communicate with coworkers.
- Break it down into smaller milestones.
- Celebrate progress, not just the end result.
Questions to Ask Riley to Develop a Growth Mindset
AI coach Riley is here to guide you on this journey. Use these prompts to get personalized advice and actionable steps:
- “How can I learn from a recent failure?”
Riley can help you break down what happened, identify lessons, and reframe the experience positively. - “What’s the best way to set a goal for personal growth?”
Riley can guide you in setting realistic, measurable goals that align with your vision. - “How can I stay motivated when things feel tough?”
Riley offers tips to build resilience and stay focused on long-term growth. - “What habits can help me build a growth mindset?”
Riley can suggest daily or weekly practices, like journaling or reflecting, to cultivate a mindset of learning. - “How can I reframe my negative thoughts?”
Riley provides strategies to challenge unhelpful beliefs and replace them with constructive ones.
Why Shifting Your Mindset Matters
A growth mindset isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about transforming how you see yourself and the world around you. When you embrace growth, you stop defining yourself by what you can or cannot do today and start focusing on who you’re becoming.
So, where will you start?
Take the first step toward unlocking your potential with the Remente app and Riley, your AI coach. With the right mindset, nothing is out of reach.