33 Growth Mindset Examples to Change Your Beliefs

Let’s say you tried out a new recipe for some friends coming over.

…And let’s say it didn’t go very well.

Would you be embarrassed and upset? Or can you bounce back in the face of failure relatively quickly?

Your response to situations like these indicates whether you have a growthor a fixed mindset.

We have talked about these opposing mindsets before and how having a fixed mindset can limit your success and happiness in life. Because your mindset strongly influences your quality of life, living with the right mindset is critical to being happy and gaining a sense of fulfillment.

But in order to have the best mindset, you have to focus on strategies that help you adopt that belief system and optimize your potential.

In this article, we will look at some examples of growth mindset that can help you change your beliefs and increase your chances of success. These examples will also explore the benefits of a growth mindset.

But first, let’s look at the concept of a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Your mindset is the sum of your thoughts and beliefs that determine how you make sense of yourself, your immediate environment, and the world.

According to Carol Dweck, a researcher and Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, people can have two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. These mindsets exemplify one of the most fundamental understandings we have about ourselves: how we perceive our personalities and how we act according to those beliefs.

Someone with a “fixed mindset” assumes that their temperament, intelligence, and level of creativity are innate characteristics that cannot be changed.

People with a fixed mindset only believe they have succeeded when their performance or intelligence measures higher than the standard. They constantly strive for success and avoid failure at all costs because they fear others will view them as innately unintelligent.

Having a fixed mindset leads to a belief that intelligence and talent are limited, so there is no use in working to develop or learn. And, because they believe they were born with a restriction on their talent, those with a fixed mindset put this same restriction on their effort–and, subsequently, their success.

Alternatively, people who have a “growth mindset” seek out challenges and view failure as a chance to learn and build upon their abilities.

With time and effort, their intelligence and knowledge can grow because they recognize that their effort influences their success. So, they spend more time practicing or learning, which leads to higher levels of achievement. (Take one of these growth mindset quizzes to get an idea of your current mindset.)

Your mindset strongly influences your behaviors and can govern whether or not you pursue (and therefore accomplish) your goals. Let’s look at some examples of attitudes that can help change your beliefs so you can get on the right path to achieving your goals.

And if you are looking for fixed and growth mindset examples, then check out our video:

27 Growth Mindset Examples to Change Your Beliefs

1. “It’s never too late to learn.”

With the recent surge of research in neuroplasticity, you’re probably already aware of the scientific argument behind people’s ability to learn later in life. Interestingly, it has been found that older adults often engage in memory avoidance, which suggests their ability to learn is impacted by their own will rather than their ability. 

If you have a growth mindset, you never think you’re too old to learn something new. John Basinger is a prime example of someone who had this belief. After nine years of practice, Basinger memorized the second edition of Paradise Lost at 67.

This epic poem is 60,000 words long and has since been recited by Basinger on several occasions.

2. “It’s ok if I fail, at least I learned something.”

People with a fixed mindset often frown upon failure. However, failing is one of the best ways to learn. A fear of failure can be limiting because it can hold you back from trying.

Adopting a growth mindset is all about learning to fail well and realizing that learning from your mistakes eventually leads to success.

3. “I appreciate constructive criticism.”

Many people have a hard time handling negative feedback. Criticism, even when it’s meant to be helpful, can feel like an attack, which puts people on the defense. This is especially true if someone associates their abilities with a portion of their identity.

So, how can you use feedback to your advantage?

Let’s say your colleague just told you, “I enjoyed your presentation, but I think there are a few ways you could make it more concise.” In this case, you can take the following steps:

4. “I can always improve at something if I try.”

With a growth mindset, you don’t give up at the first sign of weakness. Instead, you believe that the more effort you put into something, the better you will become.

Take a look at these stories of successful people who once failed. Each of them got back up after failing and continued to put effort into their craft until they were successful.

5. “I model my work after others who have been successful.”

People with a fixed mindset view others who have succeeded as a threat. They wonder if their limited potential can measure up to people considered leaders in their industry. However, there are endless examples of people who model others as a way to learn new skills.

Think about any role models that you had growing up. Maybe you had a coach or a mentor or even an older sibling you looked up to.

If there is someone that you look up to in a similar way today–and instead of being jealous of that person’s success, you’re interested in their work–that’s showing a growth mindset.

6. “What can I do better next time to make this work?”

A part of learning from your failures is analyzing where you went wrong and identifying how you could do things differently next time. It involves a
willingness to critique your work and the ability to recognize areas for
potential improvement.

7. “As long as I have determination, I can do anything.”

Having determination helps successful people stick to their goals and remain focused in the face of adversity. With a growth mindset, you won’t give up if you have to find a new way to do something, you will hone in on your creativity and try until you succeed.

8. “I am a lifelong learner.”

People with a growth mindset don’t walk across the stage at graduation and think they have it all figured out. They remain disciplined and focused in their endeavors to build a habit of continuous improvement and accomplish more.

9. “My results don’t define me.”

If you only focus on your test scores, grades, weight, salary, etc., you’re making yourself a victim of a fixed mindset.

However, suppose you can dedicate yourself to showing up daily to focus on your small habits, eventually accumulating to form a better identity. In that case, that's when you start to grow and develop.

10. “I am at the starting point of my potential.”

With a growth mindset, you know that the only way to go from where you are now is up. You recognize that everyone starts at the beginning and that every new skill has a learning curve.

For example, while you may only be able to run for 30 seconds at a time right now, everyone has to start somewhere, and this is your starting point.

11. “I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Embarking on a new challenge can be intimidating because of the unknowns and the potential for failure. This may result in avoiding challenges and holding onto excuses to remain in your comfort zone.

If you accept that there will be bumps in the road and learn to be at peace, you will be more likely to pursue the path despite the inherent obstacles.

12. “This challenge is a good opportunity for me to learn.”

We are continuously faced with choices that can impact our future. Should you accept a job offer, sign up for a new class, or pursue a new goal? Choosing to take on a new challenge makes a significant impact on how you develop as a person.

The more you challenge yourself, the more opportunities you will have to learn because each new challenge presents a new opportunity to gain experience and knowledge.

13. “I’m not looking for other people’s approval.”

When you have a growth mindset, your motivation for improving yourself is solely for your benefit. When you prioritize learning for your well-being, you can let go of the need for approval from others and recognize that there is ample room for growth, development, and success.

Once you can stop needing other people’s validation, you’ll give yourself the potential to grow.

Those with a fixed mindset constantly seek approval from others, as they don’t want to be seen as having a “permanent” deficiency in any domain of their life. Rather than needing approval, those with growth mindsets believe it’s impossible to know a person’s true potential.

The growth mindset is so helpful because it creates a passion for learning instead of a need for acceptance.

14. “I can see the bigger picture.”

It’s easy to rationalize doing mediocre work when you lose sight of the bigger picture. However, if you have a constant reminder of the purpose of the work that you’re doing, you will maintain the motivation that is required to improve.

For example, you may not want to get up at 5:00 am to go to the gym, but if you consider the bigger picture of becoming healthy and you’re able to get past that mental hurdle, you will develop a sense of purpose that inspires you to keep working.

Think of the moments you’re vulnerable to giving in to the impulses that separate you from success. Then, come up with tangible reminders of your ultimate purpose to dissolve that urge and keep you on track.

15. “I am patient.”

Nothing worth doing comes quickly. You have to be realistic when thinking about how long it will take for you to achieve your goals. If you aim to lose weight, could you lose 50 pounds in a week?

If you want to learn how to play the violin, would you be ready to perform in front of an audience tomorrow?

Even for more simple aspirations, such as learning how to apply a math equation, it can take several times of practicing the technique before you’re able to master it.

You have to have the patience to allow your brain to process and absorb new information and then be able to apply it. You can uncover incredible talents if you’re willing to take the time to try. However, we often struggle with making time for new things, so we settle with a fixed mindset of “I can’t.”

16. “Effort makes me stronger.”

Look at the classic example of babies learning to walk. What would happen if they didn’t try to learn this skill after falling the first time?

In this case, babies' effort makes them physically and mentally stronger so they can acquire this skill. Likewise, any effort you put toward improving yourself will make you stronger.

17. “I believe in myself.”

Having the confidence that you can grow despite any challenges out of your control puts you back in the driver’s seat. If you believe in yourself, you will be more likely to stick with something and be resilient if you hit a setback.

Alternatively, if you don’t have that initial belief in yourself, you’re unlikely even to take the first step in trying.

18. “I’m going to try a new approach.”

Having a growth mindset is about working smarter. Understanding that there are different styles of learning is a critical element to working smarter because it allows you to be willing to take various approaches to acquiring new skills, which ultimately puts you in control.

If you believe you can achieve something by taking a new approach, it will trigger action, diversifying your learning opportunities and leading to growth.

For instance, each year when I was in school, I assumed failure in history before I even showed up to class on the first day because I found the lectures to be so boring. I couldn’t pay attention to someone talking for 50 minutes without having any interaction.

However, once I recognized that I could do much better on the tests that included a field trip in the lesson, I realized that the subject was just being taught in a very difficult way for me to learn.

This triggered me to take a different approach to learning the material, which eventually helped me succeed.

19.  “I can’t do that…yet.”

A growth mindset means believing you can eventually learn to do anything. Teachers and parents have been encouraged to teach this attitude to children to help them grow up knowing that there is unlimited potential for their future–and with practice and effort, anything is possible.

(If you want your kids to learn more about growth mindset, check out these videos about growth mindset on YouTube.)

Check out our collection of quotes about growing up to encourage you as you change and develop.

20. “I am committed to the process.”

People with a growth mindset appreciate the process and journey they experience to meet their goals. They don’t want that A on a paper to receive the highest passing grade.

Instead, they want to get an A on their paper because it reflects what they have learned and retained while writing it.

Having a growth mindset means being less focused on the end result and more concerned with forming the right habits along the way that will ultimately make you successful.

By having process goals, you’re setting yourself up for success through your everyday habits, ultimately making your success more sustainable.

21. “I will weigh the risks and not let them stop me.”

Shying away from risks sometimes results in missed opportunities. While it would be foolish to believe there are no risks, it’s wise to identify them and determine their significance in growing toward your goals.  

Feeling nervous? It may be fear. There are several types of fear related to risk-taking: 

Once you have weighed the risks, if you are hesitating to move forward, ask yourself if one of those fears is getting in your way. If so, recognizing it is the first step to overcoming the fear. 

Next, if you’ve decided it’s fear standing in your way, take steps to mitigate it and move toward your goal. Depending on the risk, you may need to change course while still moving forward. 

22. “Yes, and…”

The response, “Yes, and…” rather than “Yes, but…” can be a potent tool for cultivating a growth mindset. It gives you a positive response when your answer is generally “Sure, I agree with you, but..” This brings a less powerful response with a nod toward disagreement. 

You may have seen this used in improvisational comedy, or improv, between two people. The first makes a statement. The second responds with “yes, and…” which builds agreement with the statement and continues moving the idea forward.

Using a “yes, and…” response is a great way to overcome a fixed mindset and dispel limiting beliefs. 

23. “I will take action promptly and not procrastinate.”

Having a growth mindset does not allow for procrastination. Have you ever needed to do something but put it off just because it was not enjoyable? Most of us do.

However, when you cultivate a growth mindset, you'll see how putting tasks off regularly can derail you from your pathway to success. 

Do you need a little help in getting procrastination under control? Look at our article about staving off procrastination in school, work, and life. Find out what you can do to stop sabotaging your achievements. 

24. “I commit to 10 minutes daily reading/listening to positive self-help materials.”

Ten minutes a day is not a huge time commitment, and it's certainly worth investing in your mindset and overall mental health. Whether you prefer to read, listen to podcasts, or both, there are many self-help materials to choose from. 

 If you're interested in reading, you may want to check out one of the following books: 

If you're interested in podcasts, try one of these:

Want more? In this article, you’ll find 25 of the best podcasts for self-help. You'll be surprised how just ten minutes a day of inspiration and motivation can make a difference in your mindset. 

25. “I am present.”

Have you ever felt like you were going through the motions to get through your day? Or have you ever been so distracted that you've missed out on what's happening in your life? 

Determine to be present. You can do this by consciously taking notice of what you're thinking and what you're doing at any given moment. This will help rein your thoughts from worry or anxiety so you can be present in this moment. 

Sometimes, we're distracted by the screens we use. How often have you been in the presence of family members or friends, and your phone, TV, or computer held your attention? 

When you consciously decide to set aside digital devices or worry and interact with those around you, it can make a huge difference in your mindset and relationships. Think of what it feels like when you're in the presence of someone distracted.

Now, think of what it feels like when someone gives you their undivided attention. On the one hand, you feel neglected; on the other, you feel valued. 

Being present in each moment will take you forward by leaps and bounds into a healthier growth mindset. 

26. “Every obstacle is an opportunity.”

Have you ever had a goal you were trying to achieve, and something got in your way? Did you see that something as an obstacle? Or did you see it as an opportunity? 

Once you start to see obstacles as opportunities, you'll change your mindset and view them not as roadblocks but as detours. If you view something as a roadblock, it can stop you. However, if you see it as a detour, you haven't lost sight of your goal; you've just changed your game plan. 

It takes practice to fully incorporate this into your growth mindset. With each obstacle, challenge yourself to step back and see it as an opportunity. After a while, you'll find it becomes easier to view your life's path this way, and it will serve you well. 

27. “I roll with the punches.”

If life gets hard (and it will), acknowledge it. But don't stop there. Take time to evaluate what is in and is not in your control. The worst thing you can do is get stuck or shut down emotionally. Instead, take a good look at what is still in your control and make a plan. 

Throughout the process, stay positive and be proactive. It starts with controlling your thoughts and then taking action. Discover how you can build a healthy mindset with our article about controlling what you can control in your life. 

When life comes at you hard, roll with the punches.

28. “I won’t allow fatigue, discouragement, and disappointment cause me to lose focus.”

Fatigue, discouragement, and disappointment are experiences we all face in life. There is no path to avoid them because they are all part of the human experience.

Knowing this allows us to prepare ourselves for times of uncertainty and stay focused as we strive to achieve our goals. We can also remember that those things are only temporary.

One team often travels to an opposing team's arena in another city when playing team sports. When the visiting team runs onto the field at the start of the game, they are often greeted by angry fans who hurl insults and other disparaging words toward them to discourage them from being at their best during the game.

They blow loud horns and wave their arms, hands, and foam fingers while yelling loud chants to distract the road team. For this reason, many players find it mentally and physically draining to play “on the road.”

There is little support, and it feels like “the whole world is against you.” But it’s only temporary.

Knowing this, players train to prepare themselves to thrive, even during adversity. And like them, we can do the same. Disappointments and discouragement will come and could drain us of our joy and motivation.

However, we can be determined to stay focused while navigating those situations. They are only temporary. Living in this reality gives us greater peace of mind. It improves our quality of life, overall fulfillment, and happiness.

29. “I control my own destiny.”

Life is full of uncertainty. Like a highway, it is full of twists and turns, highs and lows. Then, you find yourself contending with the weather on the same road. One day, it's rainy; the next, it's incredibly windy.

You have the sun in your eyes one day, then travel in the dark the next. One minute, it's snowy. The next, it's windy.

You're swerving around debris one day and held up with construction the next. You've had some close calls and even a few detours. Yet, you managed to maintain control of your situation.

Every morning, you wake up and take the wheel of your life. So, take control of your destiny. Steer your life in the direction that leads you to your life's goals.

30. “I will give others the benefit of the doubt. Not everyone is bad.”

To grow is to understand that everyone in life is not a bad person. We often shield ourselves to keep out all the people who don't mean us well and protect our hearts from being broken. The problem with that mindset is that we keep out all people, good or bad, when we shut ourselves off from others.

Trusting others and giving the benefit of the doubt is taking a risk. That risk pays off in a good way, more often than not. It's being willing to open yourself to receiving good things and good people.

If your mindset is fixed, you will live a life where you always look over your shoulder, thinking someone will stab you in the back. Growth is learning to take others at face value and not assume the worst until they give you a reason to.

31. “I enhance every environment I am in.”

Part of a personal growth mindset is seeing the value of what you bring to the table. It’s taking a long look in the mirror and positively affirming, “I am a good person!” “I am smart!” “I am beautiful!” “I am loving!” “I am caring!” “I am funny!” “I make others around me better!”

It’s knowing that you would want to be around someone like you. It's taking a deep look inside yourself, knowing you have pure motives, and living life with the perspective that you strive to leave others better than you found them.

If someone was sad when you saw them, they smiled when you left. If they were angry, you brought peace and calm into their situation. If there was confusion in the room, you brought unity. If there was loneliness, you became a friend. You enhance every environment you are in.

32. “I am an encourager. I motivate others and help them grow, not tear them down.”

As the saying goes, “Misery loves company.” Experiencing hardships in life can cloud our view of the world when we asses it through the lenses of our pain.

We form a negative thinking pattern, become bitter and angry, and seek to make others “feel our pain.” Joyful people are a turn-off to us, and we strive to find others who will join us in our plight to be miserable.

However, as part of our personal growth, we learn to become encouragers even when we are discouraged. This means you have to first look at the world through different lenses. You have to see the good and the bad.

You have to focus on what you do have, not what is missing from your life. And when you can do that, you can build others up, even when things are difficult.

Rather than bringing others down to your level by tearing them down, you will find that your most compelling turnarounds in life happen when you build others up.

33. “I was made for more and won’t settle for less.”

In growth, you began to look at the potential of what you could be. It reminds me of being a kid and going to the gardening section of the hardware store with my dad.

I would help him pick certain vegetable seeds to plant in our garden. I always enjoyed looking at the packs of seeds because they had pictures of what the seed would become once it had been properly planted, watered, and nurtured.

When the “Big Boy“ Tomato plants started growing, I knew it was too soon to pick them if they were small and green. Based on the picture on the pack of seeds, they had not fulfilled their growth potential.

Similarly, we should have a mental picture of who we strive to become. And not grow impatient with our life’s process and give up too soon. We should be determined not to settle for less than the goals we have envisioned for our lives.

Final Thoughts on Growth Mindset Examples

It is possible to change your mindset from one that is fixed to one that is willing and able to grow. The first step is to recognize your fixed mindset tendencies and beliefs and correct them.

In this article, we reviewed 33 examples of growth mindset beliefs that can help you be successful. Your mindset can ultimately impact your actions and behaviors, especially in learning, which is the first step to getting better at anything.

Next time you find that your beliefs may limit you, consider these examples and try to change your inner voice accordingly. (To learn more, read our post on growth mindset statements.)

If you have kids, why not introduce the concept of growth mindset by using growth mindset phrases and coloring pages.

And if you want more resources about growth mindset, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 11 Best Books to Develop a Growth Mindset
• 7 Growth Mindset Activities and Exercises for Adults
• 55 Growth Mindset Journal Prompts for Students and Adults

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.