How to develop a growth mindset
If you want to be a successful author, you’ll benefit from a growth mindset. Here's how to develop one.
In my last newsletter, I looked at the differences between fixed and growth mindsets. Which one resonated most with you? Even if you think you currently have a fixed mindset, the good news is you can shift to a growth mindset. Here’s how.
While we might identify with one mindset more than another, it’s important to remember that mindsets aren’t fixed – even fixed ones! Carol Dweck’s own research shows that most of us sit somewhere on a spectrum somewhere in between the two.
A fixed mindset is an unhelpful way of thinking about yourself, which can hold you back from achieving what you want in life - such as becoming a published author. But mindsets can change. So if you’re currently more at the ‘fixed’ end of the spectrum, you can shift your mindset towards growth, which will increase your likelihood of success. This shift towards growth will benefit everyone – but I think it’s especially important for creative people, such as writers.
If you’re an aspiring author, you’ll need to build resilience to the obstacles and rejections that you’ll inevitably face – without assuming that you just don’t have the talent and should give up. You’ll need to tolerate the uncertainty of a creative profession, develop the patience to learn and grow, and re-think your attitude to ‘failure’.
Here are some things you can do to move towards more of a growth mindset:
Use the word ‘yet’. The language we use affects how we think about ourselves. For example, instead of saying “I’m not a very successful writer”, add the word “yet”: “I’m not a very successful writer yet.” It takes time and effort to improve. Athletes train, musicians practise, actors rehearse. Writers write – because that’s how we get better. So keep writing!
Change your perspective on failure. Try to see challenges along your path to publication or frustrations with your current work in progress as opportunities for learning and growth – rather than obstacles. Don’t think of failure as confirmation that you’re inherently no good. Think of it as part of the learning process. Everyone fails as they learn. When you learnt to walk, you fell over – a lot. But you kept going. Even the world’s most successful, bestselling, award-winning writers failed a lot on the way. It’s part of the process.
Ask for constructive feedback. People with a growth mindset aren’t afraid of constructive criticism – because they know it helps them grow. Seek out feedback from people you trust to offer honest and constructive criticism. This might be from your writing group, or a writer friend. It’s a chance to learn, improve and develop your craft that will help you grow.
Stop seeking approval from others. Seek feedback - but not simply approval! According to Schema Therapy, one unhelpful thinking pattern we can fall into is the approval-seeking ‘schema’ or lifetrap. This is often a result of our childhood experiences – such as love being very conditional. It can mean we excessively seek external approval and ignore our own needs. If you seek the approval of others, you might also pursue goals that aren’t really your own – or focus entirely on ‘winning’ rather than improving. If you can avoid seeking approval, you’ll become more comfortable with the setbacks and failures that inevitably come with growth. Cultivate self-acceptance and learn to trust yourself. Write what you want to write, as well as you can, and keep learning and developing as you go.
Stop judging yourself. Try not to think of yourself as either a winner or a loser. If you achieve something - such as winning a short story prize - avoid putting it down to your innate talent and praise your hard work, effort and preparation instead. If you have a setback, don’t beat yourself up for being ‘talentless’. Think about how you can do better next time.
Take on ‘growth’ challenges. If you have a fixed mindset, you may also struggle with the ‘defectiveness’ schema or lifetrap. This can inhibit us from putting ourselves in situations where we might fail - such as writing a book or trying to get it published. Put yourself in situations where realistic achievements - and therefore growth - are possible. Challenge the negative thoughts that leave you feeling unworthy and defective. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges. So take them on, and see them as learning opportunities. Make your goals growth goals – but also realistic ones that reflect your interests and purpose as a writer. A growth challenge doesn’t have to be a big one, like doing NaNoWriMo! Go small. What would be achievable for you, but also help you grow? It doesn’t even have to be on your current work in progress. You could take on a smaller writing challenge, such as writing a very short story / flash fiction, a blog post, or even a social media post.
Go step by step. You wouldn’t expect to run a marathon or climb a mountain without training first. So think about what you want to achieve as a writer – and what you need to do to get there. Then focus on the steps you need to take, and work towards gradual progress – rather than becoming overwhelmed by the end goal (your book) or focusing only on the outcome (getting published). This may involve scaling back your big goal into smaller, achievable steps. Writing 500 words a day might not be realistic for you; but you may be able to manage 100, and gradually build up. Enjoy the journey. You don’t have to write a book all at once. This step-by-step approach will help you achieve mastery, and become a better writer.
Write down your achievements. Every evening, write down one thing that you’re proud of having achieved that day. It doesn’t have to be a big thing – a small step is fine. It could be writing 200 words, writing for half an hour, researching literary agents, reading a chapter of a book for research, or signing up for a writing workshop. But it should be something that takes you closer towards your goal of becoming an author, or contributes to your growth and development as a writer. This will help you to start focusing on your growth – rather than on your perceived limitations.
Carol Dweck says: “The hand you are dealt is just the starting point for development”. We’re all dealt a hand in life – but our skills, talents and abilities aren’t as fixed as you might think. Even if you currently think you have a fixed mindset, you can develop a growth mindset. Open yourself to the possibility of learning, development and growth, and you can become a better writer and develop your career as an author.