I will start with my favorite quote by Goethe “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it”. What I like about this quote is that there are no built in limitations, the focus is on BEGIN IT. So often we limit ourselves by saying I am too old, this is not the right time, should have done it earlier etc. If we BEGIN IT or not has a lot to do with our mindset.
I have been fascinated by the research that has been done on the value of having a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that their intelligence, talents and character are the starting point. These qualities can be developed by applying effort, persistence and a joy for learning. Thus your growth mindset gives you a starting point upon which you can build. You don’t know what your true potential is, instead life becomes an opportunity to discover your potential.
With such a view of yourself set-backs and failures become opportunities for learning. You are no longer letting them define you, instead you trust who you are and believe that flexibility and change are part of life.
Here is something else that I think is great about the growth mindset. Anyone who has been limiting themselves by a fixed mindset can learn to develop a growth mindset. More about the fixed mindset next time.
