...

Can growth mindset change your brain?

by | Jul 29, 2024 | Conflict Management, Leadership, Learning, Personal Development, Relationships (Self and Others)

The Transformative Power of a Growth Mindset: How It Rewires Your Brain

Believing that you’re on a path towards improvement, even if that path involves both successes and failures, is what it means to have a growth mindset. It opens up endless possibilities and decades of research has proven that we can literally change our brain and that people with a growth mindset consistently outperform those with a fixed mindset—those who believe their abilities are fixed or innate. Of course, this leads to an important question…

How can we adopt a growth mindset and take Key Steps to change our brains and…

‘be the difference that makes the difference’?

  1. Know the brain benefits are significant and positive. 

    Yes, it is true. Growth mindset literally rewires your brain. Adopting a growth mindset doesn’t just change your attitude; it also changes the way your brain is wired. When focusing on a mistake and seeing it as a learning opportunity, the brain becomes more responsive, experiencing a flood of neural activity. Research has shown that you form stronger neural connections between the brain areas responsible for error monitoring and those associated with reward. This means that not only are you better able to identify and learn from your mistakes, but you also receive a boost of motivation in the process. I know how true this is for me and why I love feedback. 

    Growth mindset restructures your brain and increases grey matter. Studies show an increase in grey matter of individuals who have embraced a growth mindset. Grey matter is essential for processing information and is involved in muscle control, sensory perception and decision-making. An increase in grey matter can enhance your cognitive functions, making you more adept at handling complex tasks and improving overall brain health. I don’t know about you, but with our complex and ever changing world, I want as much grey matter as possible! 

  2. Seek out challenges and be persistent.
    Actively look for opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone. This could be taking on a new project at work, learning a new skill or tackling a difficult problem. When you encounter setbacks, remind yourself that effort and perseverance are key to overcoming them. View challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. 
  3. Welcome feedback and learn from it.
    Understand that constructive criticism (or what I prefer to just call feedback) is a tool for improvement, not a personal attack. Use it to identify areas where you can grow. Proactively seek feedback from others to gain different perspectives on your performance. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your growth. Learn from their experiences and insights. 
  4. Be constantly curious and cultivate a love for learning.
    Analyse your mistakes to understand what went wrong and how to avoid similar errors in future. Keep an open mind and a curious attitude to seek out new knowledge and experiences. Regularly set specific learning goals for yourself to focus on your growth journey. Replace thoughts like “I can’t do this” with affirmations like “I can learn how to do this.” Use growth-oriented language like “I haven’t mastered this yet” instead of “I’m not good at this.” 
  5. Celebrate effort, not just success.
    Celebrate the effort you put into your tasks, regardless of the outcome. This reinforces the idea that effort is crucial for growth. Develop a habit of rewarding the process of learning and improvement, not just the final achievement. Have discussions about growth, learning and development with your peers to stay inspired and motivated along the way to achieving goals. 
  6. Set realistic goals and track and monitor progress regularly.
    Set realistic, achievable goals and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Track and monitor your progress regularly to stay motivated and make necessary adjustments to your strategies. Keep a journal to document your growth experiences, challenges and the lessons learned. Regularly review your journal entries to see how far you’ve come and identify patterns in your growth journey.

What Key Steps will you take to embrace a growth mindset and open your mind to what’s possible? Your brain will thank you for it and you’ll unlock your potential for continuous improvement and success and…

‘be the difference that makes the difference.’

ARCHIVE

Namaste,

 

NOTE: The information in my blog may be freely shared and re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line: This was written by Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, and originally appeared in her free bi-weekly  ‘Key Steps Food for Thought Blog’ available on the Key Steps website.

Dr Sharon King Gabrielides, EQ Expert, Founder and CEO

Sharon is a dynamic facilitator, speaker and executive coach with over 25 years’ experience in leadership development and organisational transformation. Her PhD thesis contributed a framework for holistic and sustainable leadership development that was published by Rutgers University in the USA. She is faculty of numerous business schools and highly sought-after by leading corporates because she works hand-in-hand with them to create sustainable results and long-term success. In 2020, Sharon was inducted into the Educators Hall of Fame, which is a lifetime achievement award, recognising excellence and her contribution to the field.

Sharon is one of only three women in South Africa to hold the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – the Oscar of the speaking industry. She is also a COMENSA Master Practitioner (CMP), a qualified Modern Classroom Certified Trainer (MCCT™) and an accredited Global Virtual Speaker. Sharon is also a registered Education, Training and Development Practitioner (ETDP), holds an Honours degree in Psychology and practices as an NLP master practitioner.

Most important to Sharon is that she has become known for her genuinely caring manner, practical and transformational approach, and for providing valuable tools and that allow people to take Key Steps to really… ‘be the difference that makes the difference.’

Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.