Looking back on 2021 with a Growth Mindset
We haven’t so eagerly anticipated a new year since… well, last year. 2021 is proof positive (pun intended) that time also flies when you AREN’T having fun.
Ok, ok—it wasn’t that bad. However, 21 months later, we’ve had to adapt and find a new way to enjoy life. We’ve had to be brave, try new things, stay positive, remain resilient, and even make a few mistakes. If that sounds familiar, it's because these are the same values we teach our kids. And, as is often the case with life, we can learn a lot from our youth. It's what we coach here at Grupology, and it's called the Growth Mindset.
The Growth Mindset calls for revising the way we look at challenges and setbacks by evolving them into positive momentum. It’s displaying the characteristics of grit, perseverance, bravery, and confidence—and the relentless desire to pursue personal development. Savor that for a moment: relentless personal growth. If it sounds alien, that’s because it's easy to lose our relentlessness, especially in the face of adversity (say, for example, a global pandemic). But put a determined kid in front of an epic Lego build, and there’s nothing that will stop them. There’s a reason that a 5-year-old says they plan to be president one day without batting an eyelash. As we grow up, we replace confidence with caveats and exuberance with excuses. So what happens if we instill the Growth Mindset in our kids to help them become stronger adults?
At Grupology, we orient learning around the opportunity to fail, instead of trying to avoid it. When we celebrate the accomplishments that fall short of success, we foster risk taking and reflection. When kids leave the safety of success, they find the power of perspective. When your kids fail, fear, or face adversity, remind them to celebrate a chance to broaden their horizons. And remind them that they’ve done it before. You can even keep a log of your “successful fails” and put them up on your fridge to serve as a reminder.
When it comes to the Growth Mindset, there’s even still time for us adults. Challenge yourself to seek “failure” and you will be surprised with what you can accomplish. Share your challenges with your family. A kid’s POV can be surprisingly refreshing, and it gives your kids a chance to witness resilience firsthand. Use this thinksheet to help facilitate the moment.
As we come to the end of the year that wasn’t, let’s thank 2021 for providing us all with a platform for growth. To learn more about the Growth Mindset, we encourage you to read Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S Dweck, Ph.D.
