Marc Devisse, chairman, Build in three cities.
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Having the mindset that you can always learn something new — or have a growth mindset — is extremely powerful in business. In my experience, a growth mindset can help you be more aware of yourself and face challenges with more confidence. It’s something you can use every day as an opportunity to learn and improve.
A growth mindset can be developed over time, but it takes effort, similar to having a positive mindset. Here are my tips for developing a growth mindset.
1. Recognize your current way of thinking. The first step is always awareness. If you’re not aware of the role your mindset plays in your life, you can’t change it. Take a moment to think about the situations in your life where you might have a growth mindset. For example, are you willing to ask for help if you don’t know something? Are you guided by someone who has done what you are trying to do? Do you have an “always-something-to-learn-attitude”? Do you surround yourself with people who motivate you to do better? If your answers to these questions are no, consider how you can change your mindset so that you are more open to growth.
2. Learn about the growth mindset. Once you know your mindset is important, it’s time to learn what a growth mindset is and how it can affect your life. Read articles and books on the topic and talk to people with a growth mindset to get started.
3. Know what you are grateful for. One way to change your mindset is to practice gratitude. I’ve found that when you focus on all the good in your life, it’s easier to see the potential for even more good. So take time each day to think about what you are grateful for. Stay positive as much as possible, and if you find yourself getting negative, practice extra gratitude for being where you are.
4. Take risks and embrace mistakes. One of the fastest ways to develop a growth mindset is to take risks and embrace mistakes. I believe that when you are open to new experiences and willing to fail, you are more likely to find success.
5. Persevere through difficulties and be resilient. Resilience is another key ingredient of a growth mindset. One of the most important things you can do if you want to develop a growth mindset is to keep going despite a challenge. While it can be tempting to give up when the going gets tough, remember that this is when real growth happens. If you can quickly recover from setbacks and carry on despite challenges, you show that you believe in your ability to improve. Not every idea or action is a winner, so learn to lose quickly, but always learn from every situation to avoid repeating the mistake. If you can get through tough times, you’ll come out stronger on the other side.
6. Be open to feedback. A willingness to learn from others is another sign of a growth mindset. When you seek feedback and advice and take it to heart, you indicate that growth is more important to you than perfection. It’s okay to be wrong. It’s okay to learn from others. When you receive feedback, listen and analyze what you hear. Go into it with an open mind, even if it may be hard to hear some of the feedback you get. No one is perfect, and if you can listen with an open mind, you might see a different perspective or discover a totally different idea or way of doing something.
7. Find role models. Another way to cultivate a growth mindset is to find role models who personify this mindset. Seeing someone else succeed despite setbacks can show you that it’s possible for you too. Surrounding yourself with positive and growth-oriented people is important. Check out your social media feed and connect with professionals who seem to have a growth mindset. Hang out with them and let them become part of your inner circle. Learn from them. Many relationships start through social media. Don’t be afraid to build your circle of influence with positive and growth-oriented people.
8. Cherish the process. Changing your mindset doesn’t happen overnight. It is an ongoing journey that requires patience and practice. Don’t expect to make the switch overnight. It will take effort to teach your brain to think differently, but it will be worth it in the end. Baby steps are okay. Be mindful of your thoughts, keep improving every day, cherish the process and enjoy the journey. If you do, you’ll probably find yourself having more fun along the way — and seeing more results.
In short, having a growth mindset means believing and understanding that there is always an opportunity to learn. If you have an open mind, accept hearing feedback, ask questions, and analyze what you see and hear, you’ll be well on your way to creating an unstoppable growth mindset machine.
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