11 habits that indicate a growth mindset
Some people just seem to have their lives together.
These are the people who achieve big success in whatever they try to do. People who seem to have a handle on good relationships, mental health, and financial success.
We all start from different places in life, so we can’t expect the same outcomes. But often, the biggest determinant of where you end up in life is not where you start from, but the mindset you adopt.
People with a growth mindset focus on opportunities to become a better version of themselves. And over time, this mindset can take you to incredible places.
Often, it’s our daily habits that most tellingly reveal who we really are. If you know someone who practices these habits, it’s a good indicator that they have a growth mindset and will do great things.
And if you cultivate these habits yourself, even better.
1) They accept challenges
One of the top signs of someone with a growth mindset is how they react to a challenge.
We all face challenges in life. And if you pursue big dreams, you will face more challenges than most. But it’s how you react to those challenges that defines how far you’ll go.
People with a growth mindset know that challenge is a part of life. They also know that often, it’s the challenges we face and overcome that have the biggest impact on our growth.
In other words, people who are focused on personal growth accept challenges as a way to become better.
Maybe that means taking a new job. Maybe it means moving to a new country and learning a new language and culture. However it shows itself, it’s a sure sign of someone focused on growth.
2) They seize opportunities
Often, challenges and opportunities are the exact same thing. And people with a growth mindset seize opportunities with exactly the same energy that they accept the challenges that come their way.
Having a fixed mindset means staying with what you have. Often, it means being fearful of change and staying in a situation that might not be the best for you just because it’s comfortable and safe.
On the other hand, a growth mindset means reaching for something new even if you’re not sure of the outcome.
That leads people with a growth mindset to achieve amazing things.
They will start new businesses, keep progressing in their career, or travel the world to seek out new ways to grow in life.
3) They are self-aware
Ultimately, you can’t grow if you don’t understand yourself. That’s why people with a growth mindset are often highly self-aware.
They have taken the time to understand both their strengths and weaknesses, and know that the most important work you can do in your life is the work you do on yourself.
This self-awareness makes them great at seizing those new opportunities, because they understand their strengths and their weaknesses and have a good idea about how to get the best out of themselves.
4) They work to improve themselves
Of course, it’s not much use knowing yourself really well if you don’t do anything with that knowledge.
That’s why people with a growth mindset also focus on constant improvement.
This can take many forms. It may mean:
- regularly going to the gym and working on their physical health
- challenging themselves physically with goals like running marathons
- working on their knowledge by reading voraciously
- improving their skill base by learning new things
- networking with others to help them learn from people they admire
And a person with a powerful growth mindset will probably do all of these things at one time or another.
5) They are honest with themselves
Truly understanding yourself means being honest with yourself. That means understanding your flaws and weaknesses, but also appreciating your strengths.
People with a growth mindset don’t lie to themselves about who they are and what they are capable of. It’s a nice thing to tell children that they can be anything they want to be in this life, but I’m never going to play in the NBA.
Instead, people with a growth mindset are honest about what they’re capable of. They don’t exaggerate their achievements, but they don’t downplay them either.
This gives them a great sense of the possibilities in front of them and allows them to go after what they want.
6) They don’t seek approval from others
This is not only a good sign of a growth mindset, but also a fantastic way to make yourself happier in life.
People who focus on growth are self-directed. They do what they do not to impress others, but to give themselves the best possible experience of being alive.
That means they don’t care much about what other people think.
If there’s something they want to pursue, they do it. It doesn’t matter if other people tell them it’s impossible or foolish.
At the same time, it doesn’t matter if people tell them they are great, either. Praise doesn’t go to their head anymore than criticism knocks them off balance.
7) They focus on their purpose
Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
In other words, having a purpose that motivates you in life makes you far more resilient.
And it doesn’t even matter what their purpose is.
It could be to see more of the world. It could be to help others. It could be to provide for your family.
What ever your ‘why’ is, you use it to shape your actions and decisions to make sure you are pursuing your purpose in everything you do.
That’s a guaranteed sign of someone with a growth mindset.
8) They learn from failure
No matter who you are, failure is a fact of life. In fact, the more you attempt in life, the more likely you are to fail.
But people with a growth mindset aren’t put off by failure. In fact, they use it to power them to even greater achievement.
Think of it like this: failure teaches you what won’t work. And by eliminating one possibility, it helps you narrow down the other possibilities for achieving your goals.
Viewed like that, failure can be a blessing. And there are tons of examples of successful people who turned failure into their greatest triumphs.
9) They celebrate achievements
Being able to endure failure is a key sign of someone with a growth mindset. But it’s also important to celebrate your success.
If you have a growth mindset, you don’t forget to reward yourself for your achievements.
Whether it’s sharing your success with others or treating yourself to something you really enjoy, rewarding your own achievements can help keep you motivated and helps you to enjoy life while you continue to go
after your goals.
10) They focus on the process
Most of us have goals we want to achieve in life. That’s definitely true of people with a growth mindset. But it’s also true that those who achieve the most are the people who focus on the process of chasing goals rather than the final outcome they want.
Psychologist Carol Dweck is one of the foremost researchers studying the effect of mindset on success and happiness. Her research suggests that a fixed mindset comes from people being praised for their abilities as children. Meanwhile, a growth mindset comes from being praised for your efforts, regardless of the results.
To put it simply, people with a growth mindset learn that what matters most is not natural talent or even results, but the processes used to get there. By focusing on the journey, people with a growth mindset keep themselves motivated to achieve great things.
11) They never stop trying
Life is hard. But people with a growth mindset have the resilience to keep trying, no matter what life throws at them.
Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, points out that grit, or resilience, is one of the key predictors of success in life. Grit allows people to push through hard times and focus on what they want, even when nothing goes their way.
This is a common quality of people with a growth mindset. And it allows them to keep growing, no matter what.
Cultivating a growth mindset
As you can see from this list, there are many different components to a growth mindset. Put them together, and you have a person who is virtually unstoppable.
If you recognize these traits in yourself, you probably have a growth mindset already. And if you don’t, maybe now is the time to start working on these qualities so that you can become someone who focuses on relentless growth.