Moving Forward: The Growth Mindset

Growth is defined by Merriam Webster as a progressive development or evolution. In my view, growth is a forward-moving process of change, which involves continuously striving to better ourselves by examining where we are and where we want to be. It sounds so easy and yet like most things, it is not easy at all. At least not for us humans.

Personal growth can come in various forms, including physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and mental growth. By analyzing, improving, and applying our individual skills, habits, behaviors, and knowledge, we can think of our own growth as a way to better ourselves and even the lives of those around us. This mindset can make growth much easier to embrace.

People with a personal growth mindset believe that new skills can be developed through practice, hard work, developing strategies, and finding people who support them. Recently, I watched a television commercial featuring a young girl attempting to vertically jump from the floor to the top of a chair. She falls, slips, and yet keeps getting up and trying again until at last success was hers. I can’t tell you the name of any product because I was so busy enjoying her growth and success!

The great thing is that we have access to many resources that can help direct our own growth. To help us develop the skills to move through changes, we can do the following:

1. Read a book, or article, or listen to a podcast that interests you.
2. Take a class or online course to improve your skills.
3. Join a professional networking organization.
4. Volunteer for a non-profit.
5. Meet new people, both in person and online.
6. Identify and write down your goals.
7. Talk to your mentors and others who inspire you.
8. Challenge yourself to do something new or unexpected.
9. Travel.
10. And a host of ideas you can add yourself!

Remember that personal growth is not an all-or-nothing proposition, and you can make small daily improvements that can change your life. Determine what you want to focus on and work towards it every day. If not, the words of the Cheshire cat may come back to haunt you, as they did Alice in “Alice in Wonderland”: “If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

About the Expert

Cheryl Grazier is the Principal of Cheryl Grazier Consulting LLC and has over 20 years of business experience in both the public and private sector as a trusted advisor in the areas of culture change, strategy implementation, program management, team and leadership development. Cheryl has worked in a variety of industries, including communications, government agencies, governmental contracting, and real estate.

She is particularly passionate about developing people skills and leadership capabilities for individuals.

• Cheryl holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design from Walden University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
• She also holds several industry certifications including MBTI, DiSC, and FIRO-B.