Stuck in a rut? Grow out of it!

Some people in life just seem to fly through challenges, landing success after success as if it was as easy as flicking peas off a table. We all know someone like that, simultaneously admiring and envying their effortless accomplishments while unfavourably comparing our own careers. Why do some people keep growing, while others stay stuck?

They say ‘it’s all in the mind’. Well… as it turns out, there is more than a kernel of truth in that assertion. You see, it’s all about mindset—specifically, a fixed vs. growth one, as defined by Stanford psychologist, Professor Carol Dweck[1] . Where a fixed mindset sees failure as evidence that you’re not good enough, a growth mindset sees it as feedback. In other words, you can improve with effort. And that shift is vital—especially when you’re working independently.

But the great news is that you can learn how to develop a growth mindset! So how do you go about it?

1)    Reframe failure [2] 

Just delivered a presentation to your clients that didn’t land the way you wanted it to? Don’t lose heart. Instead, ask, “What can I learn from this?” As much as it might not feel like it in the moment, failure is often the precursor to success. Think of yourself like a product. Maybe the original version didn’t fly off the shelves but after the storm of disappointment has passed, reflect on what could be improved. You can then integrate this feedback into future iterations which will help you to smash your next presentation!

As the American inventor, Thomas Edison, once said, “I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 1000 ways that don’t work”.

2)    Add the word yet

Reckon you’re not good at pivot tables in Excel? No, you’re not good at them yet… That one, little word opens the door to progress.

No-one starts off as the finished product; every successful person you’ve ever seen or read about had to start from somewhere, building up their skills and experience over time. The most accomplished piano players have honed their craft through hours and hours of practice. Expertise takes time to develop and unfortunately, there are no shortcuts. But by starting from a place of honesty and hope, you give yourself the permission to take that first step.

3)    Focus on effort, not talent

As the saying goes, ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’ So ask: “Did I improve?” instead of “Did I win?” By shifting the focus onto effort, not only do you foster a belief in your own ability, but it also helps you to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles getting in the way of your progress. Results come from consistent work rather than innate ability.

4)    Embrace discomfort [3] 

That imposter syndrome you feel in a room full of people who you think have far more technical know-how than you? That knotty feeling in your stomach when you’re thrown into the deep end of an important project? They’re signs you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and that, my friend, is where the magic happens. Give yourself a pat on the back for the courageous step you’ve taken and acknowledge the discomfort. Sit with it. You’re challenging yourself professionally and pushing yourself personally to develop as a human being. This is what life is all about. So say yes to stretch projects and seek feedback to keep your brain growing!

You’re never stuck

It’s not too late to start building a growth mindset. As long as you choose to cultivate curiosity within yourself, the door to progress will always remain open. So learn from each failure, give yourself time to improve and focus on effort. And remember - there’s no growth without discomfort.

Keen to know more about how you can embed a culture of growth mindsets in your team and reap the benefits? Do get in touch at lizzie@workstyle.org.uk 

This blog was written by one of our team of fantastic volunteers, Olivia Mak, on behalf of the Workstyle Revolution.

References:
[1] Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random house.

[2] Tao, V. Y., Li, Y., & Wu, A. M. (2022). Incremental intelligence mindset, fear of failure, and academic coping. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 16, 18344909221144703.

[3] Boyd, D. E. (2014). The growth mindset approach: A threshold concept in course redesign. Journal on Centers for Teaching and Learning, 6.

[3] Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2022). Motivating personal growth by seeking discomfort. Psychological science, 33(4), 510-523.