GROWTH MINDSET PLAN

Challenges are a part of everyday life. The outcome of each challenge depends on the mindset you approach it with. The two mindsets that you can operate from are the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. Approaching problems from a fixed mindset will leave you operating in fear and staying in the safety of your comfort zone, with no room for growth. Operating from a growth mindset will cause you to embrace challenges and adapt to changes, which will cause you to grow and push you to succeed.

While educating on healthy lifestyles, modeling a growth mindset and leading by example is important. Growth mindset is something that should be taught and modeled everyday. Along with modeling a growth mindset, introducing the power of “yet” is beneficial because people on a health journey may not celebrate their progress if they haven’t met the specific goal they’ve set for themselves. Instead of believing they failed, the power of yet gives the learner hope, lets them acknowledge the progress they’ve made, and understand that they haven’t failed. The only way to fail is to quit.

Noticing and making yourself accountable for your fixed mindset voice is key to turning down its volume in your head. The more you get into the habit of overcoming this voice, the more your growth mindset will shine through. I will incorporate this step by encouraging learners to journal some of their thoughts during their meditation time. Journaling the dominant thoughts will help them to see which mindset has control of their thinking. Once they accept that fixed mindset thoughts may be running the show, they can change their outlook. Even though a growth mindset can lead anyone to success, the learner will always have a choice which voice to hear and follow. As much as I advocate for growth in every area of health, some people aren’t ready to progress, and that’s ok. As an educator and health advocate, it is up to me to encourage a growth mindset, but never judge learners' choices. With a little encouragement, growth mindset modeling, and positivity, the learner will try again and reach success.

The power of “yet” can be used to speak back to a “fixed mindset” thought. Once a learner is ready to make the necessary changes to live a healthier lifestyle with the power of “yet”, the “I haven’t lost 10 pounds” thought will transform into “I haven’t lost 10 pounds yet, but I lost 6. I’m going to continue.” “Yet” leaves the learner with hope and the belief that there is still room to grow. I will incorporate this step every day by encouraging learners to extend themselves grace and the use of positive self talk.

Once a learner begins to speak back to a fixed mindset with positivity and from a growth mindset perspective, they can take action by planning their next steps. Making a plan has always been helpful to me when trying to reach goals. In my innovation plan, the goal setting sheet that the user must fill out after the health assessment is a big part of the program because it gives the learners a plan and a starting point.