What Is a Growth Mindset? Your Stepping Stone to Success
We all want to be successful, right? But success isn’t just about how talented you are or how lucky you get. It’s about how you think. Your mindset — the beliefs you hold about yourself and the world around you — plays a bigger role than you might realize. The difference between seeing challenges as roadblocks or as opportunities? That’s your mindset talking.
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and skills can be developed with time and effort. It’s about embracing challenges, learning from failures, and constantly striving to improve. And it helps you approach life’s ups and downs differently: instead of seeing intelligence and talent as static traits, you view them as skills that can be gained. The growth mindset tells you that even if you’re not there yet, you can get there with effort, persistence, and a willingness to learn. So let’s dig deeper into the psychology behind this and see why it’s a must for success.
Don’t Be Fixed — Grow
“A fixed mindset is the belief that intellectual ability is just fixed. You have a certain amount of it and that’s it. That’s who you are and that’s who you’ll stay. That mindset can make challenges and mistakes more threatening, because they can reveal deficiencies in your permanent ability.” — says David Yeager, PhD, an associate professor of developmental psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute.
People with a fixed mindset see abilities as set in stone. They might think, “I’m just not good at math,” or “I’ll never be a great writer” and never work for it. And those with a growth mindset, on the other
hand, thrive on challenges and don’t shy away from failure. They see it as an essential part of the process. Dweck herself states that “in a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, ‘Oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses,’ you say, ‘Wow, here’s a chance to grow’”.
When you hit the gym and challenge your body with those extra reps to get a better result — your mind isn’t different. Remember the last time you felt that satisfying burn in your muscles? That’s your body’s way of telling you it’s growing stronger. The same goes for your brain. Tackling new challenges or diving into complex concepts can feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but that’s where the magic happens. Remember: a little discomfort means you’re on the path to success.
How Growth Mindset Helps You Achieve Success
Okay, so how exactly does a growth mindset lead to success? To put it simply: it redefines your relationship with effort and failure, which are important parts of the journey. Success isn’t a linear path, and to achieve it you can’t go without failure. With a fixed mindset that most of people have, any setback can feel like a confirmation that you’re not good enough, while a growth mindset sees every failure as a stepping stone.
On the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman explains that our brain’s neuroplasticity — its ability to rewire and grow — aligns perfectly with the idea of a growth mindset. He shares that “the brain is wired for improvement when you engage in effort,” and that “effort itself is the currency of growth”. The more effort you put in, the more you build those neural pathways, literally expanding your brain’s capacity to adapt and improve.
So, it’s not just about motivation; it’s about changing your brain on a biological level. Huberman further emphasizes that this neuroplasticity is most active when you’re tackling difficult, uncomfortable tasks. In other words, your brain grows the most when you’re out of your comfort zone — exactly what a growth mindset pushes you toward. This is why people with growth mindsets often rise to leadership positions, launch successful ventures, or achieve personal goals — they’re constantly seeking growth, even through discomfort.
A growth mindset also makes you more resilient and adaptive to new situations. When you’re not afraid of failing, you’re more open to taking risks, trying new things, and expanding your comfort zone.
Ways to Achieve a Growth Mindset
See Challenges as Opportunities and Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Rather than shying away from difficulties, face them head-on. Growth happens when we push beyond our limits. See difficult tasks as opportunities to stretch your skills. Facing challenges and learning through them stimulates brain pathways that enhance learning and performance. So, while it might feel uncomfortable at first, it’s helping you grow in the long run.
Learn to Love Feedback
Feedback isn’t shade—it’s your growth best friend. Yes, it can sting, but with a growth mindset, you’ll start to see it as a tool for improvement, not as an attack on your abilities. When someone offers criticism, don’t take it personally. Instead, ask yourself: How can I use this to get better? Use it to your advantage by listening, learning, and leveling up. The most successful people turn criticism into a game plan for improvement. So, take the notes, adjust, keep moving forward, and turn criticism into your secret weapon.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Outcomes
Instead of only celebrating the wins, learn to celebrate the journey — every small step forward counts. Whether you’re learning a new skill, working toward a career goal, or improving in relationships, the process is just as important as the result. And there’s no shame in the game of treating yourself! When you put in the effort, even if things don’t go perfectly, take a moment to reward yourself, because it creates positive associations with persistence. Maybe it’s a relaxing bath, a new book, or even a night off. This releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that encourages repeated behavior, reinforcing the growth mindset.
Feed Your Curiosity
Adopt a beginner’s mindset and be open to learning. Stay curious, take up new hobbies, or try things you’re not already a pro at. It keeps life interesting and helps you stay resilient when things don’t go as planned.
Visualize the Path, Not Just the Finish Line
Daydreaming about your goals is cute, but make sure you’re also thinking about the journey. Visualize the steps you’ll take and the obstacles you might face. This way, you’ll be ready to handle whatever comes your way with grace.
Challenge Yourself
Take on tasks that are just beyond your current abilities to stimulate neuroplasticity. These “stretch” experiences encourage the brain to form new connections and strengthen existing ones. And also handling discomfort in a controlled setting can help you stay cool when life throws unexpected challenges your way.
Just Be 10% Better
Forget perfection — focus on being 10% better than yesterday. Whether it’s showing up with a little more focus at work, reading one extra chapter of that book, or squeezing in a quick morning workout, small efforts add up. By focusing on being 10% better, you’re setting yourself up for real growth that feels doable, inspiring, and actually fun.
Mindfulness Isn’t Just for Meditators
Being mindful isn’t just about zen moments on the mat — it’s about staying present, even during life’s messier moments. When you practice mindfulness, you increase your emotional intelligence and make better choices under pressure.
The Bottom Line
At its core, a growth mindset is about believing in your potential to change, improve, and achieve. It redefines success from a fixed, results-driven outcome to a process-focused journey. Whether you’re aiming for professional success, personal growth, or just a deeper sense of fulfillment, adopting a growth mindset will serve you in all areas of life.