Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever tried to meditate for five minutes and ended up making a mental grocery list instead, you know that mental health is a journey, not a destination. The good news? You don’t need to be a Zen master or a motivational speaker to improve your mental well-being. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is something you already have—your mind. More specifically, your mindset.
You’ve probably heard the concept of “growth mindset,” a term that has been gaining traction in psychology, education, and even corporate boardrooms. But what does it mean, and how can it help you feel better, bounce back from setbacks, and maybe even stop doomscrolling at 2 a.m.? Let’s dive in.
What Is a Growth Mindset, Anyway?
The term “growth mindset” was coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, who discovered that people generally fall into two categories: those with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe your abilities, intelligence, and talents are set in stone. You’re either good at something or you’re not. (Cue the flashbacks to high school math class.)
A growth mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that you can develop your abilities through effort, learning, and persistence. In other words, you’re not stuck with the hand you were dealt—you can shuffle the deck, learn a few card tricks, and maybe even win a round or two.
Why Does Mindset Matter for Mental Health?
Here’s the kicker: your mindset doesn’t just affect your grades or your job performance. It has a huge impact on your mental health. People with a growth mindset are more resilient, less likely to give up in the face of challenges, and better equipped to handle stress. They see setbacks as opportunities to learn, not as proof that they’re doomed to fail forever.
Think of it this way: if you believe you can improve, you’re more likely to try new things, ask for help, and keep going when things get tough. If you’re convinced you’re stuck, you’re more likely to throw in the towel, binge-watch Youtube, and wonder why nothing ever changes.
How to Build a Growth Mindset (Without Turning Into a Self-Help Robot)
Okay, so a growth mindset sounds great. But how do you get one? Here are some tips to help you shift your perspective and boost your mental health.
1. Notice Your Inner Narrator
We all have that little voice in our heads. Sometimes it’s encouraging (“You’ve got this!”), but more often it’s a bit of a drama queen (“You’ll never figure this out. Might as well eat cookies and give up.”). The first step to building a growth mindset is to notice when your inner narrator is stuck in “fixed” mode.
Next time you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t do this,” try adding a simple word: yet. “I can’t do this… yet.” It’s amazing how much difference three little letters can make.
2. Embrace the Power of “Not Yet”
Speaking of “yet,” let’s make it your new favorite word. Didn’t get the promotion? You’re not a failure—you just haven’t gotten it yet. Struggling to meditate without thinking about pizza? You’re not bad at mindfulness—you just haven’t mastered it yet. This subtle shift can help you view challenges as temporary and solvable, rather than permanent and overwhelming.
3. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results
We live in a world obsessed with outcomes. (Just ask anyone who’s ever posted a “before and after” photo on Instagram.) But a growth mindset is all about valuing the process. Did you try something new, even if you weren’t perfect? Did you keep going when things got tough? That’s worth celebrating!
Give yourself credit for showing up, trying, and learning. Progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes the biggest wins are the ones nobody else sees.
4. Learn from Setbacks (Instead of Letting Them Define You)
Let’s face it: setbacks are part of life. (If you’ve never failed at something, you’re either a robot or you’ve never tried assembling IKEA furniture.) The key is to see mistakes as opportunities to learn, not as evidence that you’re hopeless.
Ask yourself: What can I learn from this? What would I do differently next time? And if all else fails, remember that even the world’s most successful people have a highlight reel of failures behind them. (Looking at you, Thomas Edison.)
5. Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People
Mindsets are contagious. If you spend time with people who believe in learning, growth, and second chances, you’re more likely to adopt those beliefs yourself. Seek out friends, mentors, or even online communities that encourage you to keep growing—even when it’s hard.
And if you find yourself surrounded by naysayers, remember: you can always limit your exposure. (Or at least mute them on social media.)
6. Practice Self-Compassion
Building a growth mindset isn’t about being relentlessly positive or pretending everything is fine. It’s about being kind to yourself when things go wrong. Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to a friend: with encouragement, patience, and maybe a little humor. (“Okay, so today was a disaster. But tomorrow is a new day—and I still have cookies.”)
Growth Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Shifting to a growth mindset won’t happen overnight. It’s a practice, not a quick fix. But with a little effort (and a lot of self-compassion), you can start to see challenges as opportunities, setbacks as stepping stones, and yourself as a work in progress—in the best possible way.
So the next time life throws you a curveball, remember: you’re not stuck. You’re growing. And that’s something worth celebrating—cookies optional, but highly recommended.