How to Adopt a Growth Mindset & Reach Your Goals

If you want to reach your goals, you are going to need something very important — the right mindset.

Mindset can be the difference between reaching the finish line of a plan for progress, getting stuck along the way — or even failing to start.

A fixed mindset can keep you in the same place, while a growth mindset can propel you forward and on a path to reaching your goals.

Let’s look at how mindset impacts your ability to reach goals, the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, and six ways you can adopt a growth mindset

What Is Mindset?

Before we talk about a growth vs. a fixed mindset, let’s start at the beginning.

What is mindset?

Mindset is the set of beliefs that shapes your worldview. Your mindset determines how you see the world and how you see yourself. It directs your inner dialog, behaviors, outlook, and attitude.

Your mindset is constantly being shaped by your environment, experiences, and thoughts — and you have the ability to change it.

Our mindset is fluid.

If you have a fixed mindset, you can change it to a growth mindset.

What Is a Growth Mindset? What Is a Fixed Mindset?

There are many different types of mindset. But mindset is often broken down into two categories when it comes to goal setting: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

A fixed mindset means you:

• Believe talent and ability are innate and can’t be cultivated
• See failure as a sign that something was a bad idea or wrong choice
• Are content with current conditions (even if you aren’t happy with current conditions)
• Are not seeking to improve
• Believe hard work won’t produce any change

With a fixed mindset, it’s difficult to create change in your life or reach your goals because you are stuck in a thought pattern that tells you change is impossible. Your mindset tells you that no amount of work can help you move toward your goals.

A growth mindset is the opposite.

A growth mindset means you:

• Believe your talents, traits, and abilities can improve
• Don’t see failures as bad but rather as a step toward progress
• Want to improve and are up for a challenge
• Believe hard work is what leads to change and growth

With a growth mindset, you are more likely to create change in your life and reach your goals. Your mindset gives you the energy, motivation, and determination to put in the work to make changes and move toward your goals.

So, how do you embrace a growth mindset?

How to Adopt a Growth Mindset

Your mindset is not permanent. You can change your mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you can take steps to adopt more of a growth mindset. Here are a few ways to make the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

1. Understand that we all have the ability to have a fixed or a growth mindset.

It’s worth repeating one more time: you have the ability to change your mindset.

The first step in adopting a growth mindset is knowing the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Only then can you actively notice when your mind is trending toward growth or fixed habits — and make a change.

No person is stuck in their mindset. We all have the ability to move from a fixed to a growth mindset — or from a growth to a fixed mindset. It’s up to us to actively reach and stay in the mindset we want to have.

Related: 7 Ways to Embrace Change in Our Lives (And Why It Can Be So Difficult)

2. Listen to (and change) the stories you’re telling yourself.

Once you become aware of the two types of mindset, pay attention to your thoughts. As you approach a challenge or difficult situation, consider the story playing in your head.

If you say the following things, you might be stuck in a fixed mindset.

• You can’t do this.
• You will never learn.
• Stop wasting your time.

If you catch yourself in these thought patterns, actively change the narrative. To get into a growth mindset, change your thoughts to:

• You can do this.
• You will learn.
• This is worth your time.

3. Set the right goals and intentions.

It’s not always easy to pivot your thoughts from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, even when you become aware of the difference. To get the motivation to flip your mindset, set goals and intentions to drive you forward when you get stuck.

• Have a reason that is bigger than your immediate goal.
• Create goals for yourself — not others.
• Return back to your why.

When you have a clear goal or set intention, it’s easier to get the strength and willpower to move forward. When you’re stuck, you can visualize your end goal and use it to fuel your progress.

Related: 7 Goal Setting Activities to Inspire Meaningful Change

4. Reframe failure.

A fixed mindset gets stuck on every little failure. It tells you that each misstep is a sign that it is time to give up. But, don’t fall into this trap.

To get in a growth mindset, reframe failure to see it in a new way.

You’re never going to make progress without failure. So begin to get excited (or at least not defeated) each time failure finds you. Reframe failure as a sign that you’ve taken another step toward your goal.

Related: 7 Tips for Positive Thinking to Shift Your Mindset

5. Don’t focus on the finish line.

A growth mindset isn’t fixated on the end game. Instead, it allows you to enjoy each step of the journey.

To embrace a growth mindset, focus on your progress — no matter how small. Celebrate your wins (and even your failures), and remember that each step in the right direction is farther than you were before you created the small change.

Related: Want to Make a Lasting Lifestyle Change? You Need These 3 Things

6. Seek support.

It’s not always easy to switch from a fixed to a growth mindset. It also can be difficult to stay in a growth mindset once you’ve changed the narrative in your mind. This is why it can be so helpful to have support on your mission.

If you’re serious about switching your mindset and reaching your goals, seek a support system to help you.

A support system could be a partner, a parent, or a friend. It could be an online community, in-person group, or professional life coach. Try a few options and see what helps you create the most change and feel the most empowered to shift your mindset and reach your goals.

Adopt a Growth Mindset to Reach Your Goals

The key to reaching your goals could be making a shift in your mindset. Use these tips to turn your belief system into something supportive and encouraging rather than a narrative holding you back.

Ditch the fixed mindset, and adopt a growth mindset.

If you need a support system on your journey, Loving Life Today is here to help. We offer both in-person therapy and virtual counseling, therapy, and coaching through our offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Learn more about how our team can help you reach your goals to be happier and healthier. Download our free information packet (and get $25 off your first session). Or schedule your intake appointment with our office today.