TIPS FOR ADOPTING A GROWTH MINDSET – EVEN DURING TIMES OF CRISIS

During times of uncertainty, it can be easy to fall into the habit of feeling helpless, like everything that is happening around you is out of your control.  But by adopting a growth mindset it encourages you to focus on what you can control (trust me there will be something, no matter how small).

• Get the facts – having all the information can help you feel more in control.
• Where are you getting your information? – Be aware of the sources you are using to get your information. A lot of media outlets use scare tactics such as negative article headlines as click bait, so make sure you understand where the information is coming from.

We love a good plan as much as the next person, but during times of uncertainty it can be, well, a little tricky to keep one going.  This is where you need to be flexible!  Work with a timeframe and goals that are achievable and reassess where necessary.  The world is changing so quickly, that even the best thought out plan may require a few changes along the way.

• Try to maintain some sense of normality in your daily routine, but be ready to adapt if necessary.
• Write it down – this will help you have a clear vision of your goals and give you something to strive towards, even if the road map to get there changes.

It’s not hard to imagine that we are all a little stressed out and living with a bit more fear and anxiety at the moment.  In these conditions we often forget to take care of ourselves and practice our usual happy habits.  From sleep, to nutrition, exercise and our usual relaxation methods, these can all suddenly be kicked to the curb.  BUT now it is more important now than ever to incorporate them into our daily lives, after all if we are feeling a bit more in tune with ourselves a growth mindset is sure to follow.

• Stay connected – reach out to family members, friends and loved ones for chat. While we might not be able to meet face to face right now, even a phone conversation can make the world of difference.
• Do what makes you happy! – if that means watching a show on Netflix, reading a good book, dancing around your living room to your favourite song… DO IT!

Still not feeling it? – there is no shame in talking to someone about how you are feeling, whether that is a professional, a family friend or something else, always reach out.  There are some great resources here.

In a crisis, you’ll most likely be facing issues and decisions that you never have before. When you adopt a growth mindset in a crisis situation, the path to change will be less intimidating. And you can do this buy using one very simple word: yet.³ For example, as stated by Jonathan Grinstein (2020)³ if you’re feeling overwhelmed and are having trouble focusing, instead of saying “I don’t know how to focus during a crisis,” you could try saying to yourself “I don’t know how to focus during a crisis, yet.”

Nobody likes feeling like they failed… but here is the thing: there are always going to be times where we feel like we could have done better.  So that is why we need to approach failure just like everything else – with a growth mindset.  Instead of setting yourself up to play the blame game by asking, “Why didn’t I perform well” ask yourself “How could I make my performance better?”4  By simply shifting your stance on failure to a proactive one you can suddenly look at the experience for opportunities for improvement rather than following an unrewarding path to blame and resentment.

I’m sure you have all heard this phrase being thrown around from time to time and that is because it is TRUE!  By using a growth mindset, we are able to approach tasks with more confidence, which results in little wins… which ultimately results in even more confidence and a greater self-belief! Over time this will develop further into a passion for learning rather than a need for approval⁵ (hello, growth mindset!). 

By nature, we are curious beings.  A growth mindset encourages curiosity and your drive to try new things.  While sometimes trying something new or venturing into the unknown can be scary it is important to remember that it can also be very rewarding.  Not only can you potentially expand your horizons, but you can also further develop your mindset.  Sounds like a win win to us!

• What interests you? – if there is a particular topic you want to know more about or perhaps, there is a new skill you want to try, give it a go! The important thing is that it is of interest to you.
• Bring a friend – still a bit hesitant to try something new on your own? Try encouraging a likeminded friend or family member to come along too.

A key ingredient to adopting a growth mindset is thinking about the language you use.  Now we aren’t talking about curse words that result in money being put in a swear jar, but rather the language you use when thinking about a problem.  For example, instead of saying “I give up” try saying “I’ll use a different strategy” instead.  The second phrase uses positive language and opens you up to a growth mindset by searching for a different approach to the presented problem.