“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
Growing up, many of us didn’t learn an essential tool that would have helped us recover from mistakes, move forward after failure, and embrace our ups and downs as milestones on the road to our dreams and goals. We didn’t know that at the heart of success, resilience, and personal transformation lies a key mental shift: adopting a growth mindset. But the good news? We can all learn this now!
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that our abilities, intelligence, and talents can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. But this isn’t just a nice idea—it’s backed by neuroscience, which, as many of you know, is something I always celebrate. Our brains hold the key to our well-being, creativity, and ability to thrive. And the best part? We have the power to shape them.
What Science Tells Us About a Growth Mindset is that our brains are neuroplastic, which means they can literally rewire and reshape themselves based on our experiences and thoughts. When we shift into a growth mindset, we strengthen the neural pathways that support resilience, problem-solving, and confidence.
People with a growth mindset show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that helps with decision-making, goal-setting, and emotional regulation. They also get dopamine boosts when facing challenges, which reinforces motivation and the desire to keep learning. Pretty cool, hey?!
On the other hand, a fixed mindset—the belief that our abilities are set in stone—activates the amygdala, our brain’s fear center and threat detecor. This can make challenges feel threatening instead of exciting and can even lead to avoidance behaviors, self-doubt, and anxiety.
So, how do we train our brains to embrace growth instead of fear? Keep reading…
4 Steps to Expand Your Growth Mindset:
1. Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
Every time we hit a roadblock, we have two choices: see it as a sign to stop or as a chance to grow. The next time something feels hard, try this simple shift:
➡ Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I can’t do this yet.”
That one small word—yet—changes everything. It tells your brain that growth is possible, keeping you engaged and ready to push forward. Research even shows that this type of reframing activates the learning centers of the brain, making it easier to develop new skills.
2. Train Your Brain to Notice Growth
Our brains are wired to focus on what went wrong—it’s a survival instinct. But we can retrain them to look for progress instead of failure. Try this quick nightly reflection:
✔ What’s one thing I did today that stretched me?
✔ Where did I step outside my comfort zone?
✔ What’s one thing I learned from a challenge?
Each time you do this, you reinforce new neural connections that make resilience and adaptability second nature. Once you start doing this, you will feel the difference and the difference feels good!
3. Regulate Stress to Support Brain Growth
If we’re overwhelmed by stress, our brains literally shut down the learning process. High cortisol levels make it harder to think clearly, solve problems, and embrace new challenges. That’s why managing stress is a non-negotiable part of building a growth mindset.
Try:
☀ Deep breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6)
☀ A 5-minute movement break to reset your nervous system
☀ Journaling about what’s within your control instead of what isn’t
A calm brain is a flexible brain, and flexibility is key to growth.
4. Take Action, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Growth isn’t something we just think about—it’s something we practice. The best way to build a growth mindset is to take small, intentional steps outside your comfort zone.
This week, can you challenge yourself:
➡ Speak up in a meeting, even if you feel nervous
➡ Try something new that you’ve been avoiding
➡ Set a tiny goal that stretches you just a little
Each step forward, no matter how small, rewires your brain for resilience and confidence.
I hope that you can now see that growth mindset isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a scientifically proven way to rewire our brains for success, well-being, and fulfillment. When we learn to embrace challenges, manage stress, and take small, courageous steps forward, we don’t just change our mindset—we change our lives.
So, where will you stretch yourself today? Maybe the first step is being kinder to yourself when you make a mistake or have a failure!