If I bleed, will I ever grow?: More Growth Mindset Questions to Consider

Growth Mindset Plan

What Extra Stuff Should We Think About to Boost the Growth Mindset?

One big thing that can really help in building a Growth Mindset is the magic of the word “yet.” It sounds simple, but it can flip your perspective. A lot of people get stuck in a fixed mindset, feeling like their skills are set in stone, which can lead to a lot of frustration. I remember going through tough times when I thought, “I’ll never hit my goals,” or just gave up with “What’s the point? I’m just going to fail.” Looking back, I can see how that negative mindset was holding me back. But once I decided to shake things up and break free from that way of thinking, everything started to change. I began to ask myself, “What can I do to make this better?” and that opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

How Will You Show the Growth Mindset and the Idea of "Yet" to Your Students?

It’s super important to practice what you preach when it comes to teaching the growth mindset. I like to share personal stories from my own life to connect with my students and show them that I’ve faced my own bumps in the road. Often, students see teachers as flawless, so I make it a point to share my struggles, especially with challenging subjects like math. I tell them about how it took a lot of practice for me to get a handle on math concepts. I remember reaching out for help and using resources like the Math Learning Center back in college. I embraced the idea that I wasn’t “there” yet and welcomed the journey of improvement, even when I had to start with remedial math courses. As a history major, I once questioned why I needed College Algebra, but after taking a math class designed for liberal arts students, it finally clicked. I aced that class and felt so proud of overcoming my previous fixed mindset. The idea of “yet” really reshaped how I view my abilities.

How Can a Growth Mindset Change How Students Accept Feedback and Deal with Cheating?

It’s a bit mind-boggling why some students think cheating is the easy way out when they hit a rough patch. I see so many students who are struggling but aren’t getting the constructive feedback they need to grow. Some might think that cheating will just hand them the right answers and solve their problems. But I’ve seen students who embrace my feedback totally transform their work. They engage with the feedback process, and it leads to some impressive improvements in their writing. When we go over their work together, I can see the pride and sense of accomplishment on their faces. They start to grasp the potential of the “yet” mindset, realizing that feedback isn’t about criticism but a stepping stone toward getting better.

How Can the Growth Mindset Help Students Chill Out About Grades? And What's the Deal with Grit?

Every school year, I encourage my students to set long-term goals, like aiming for A Honor Roll or AB Honor Roll. But when they get a C, it can throw them into a fixed mindset, making them feel defeated. Psychology Today (2022) describes grit as a mix of perseverance and passion. When we combine these ideas, it’s clear that students often focus on “collecting the dots” instead of “connecting the dots.” This pressure can come from parents who prioritize grades over the actual learning process. Back in high school, I noticed many honor students were more about collecting grades than actually engaging with the material. I remember studying by rote memorization, which is a far cry from the deeper learning we encourage today.

How Can We Keep the Growth Mindset from Just Being a Trend or Getting Misused? Think About How Grit Can Go Wrong?

One of the most frustrating things is when a powerful idea turns into a trend and loses its real impact. I remember my first year of teaching, scrolling through social media for inspiration and coming across all these flashy posts about Growth Mindset initiatives for classrooms. At the time, I thought it would be great to sprinkle some of that charm into my teaching. But looking back, I realize I didn’t have a good grasp on how to implement it meaningfully. It seemed like the growth mindset was just a passing trend back in 2018, but now I have a deeper understanding of what it means, thanks to Carol Dweck’s teachings. It’s not just a cute classroom decoration; it’s a crucial approach to helping students become more resilient and adaptable.

Is the Growth Mindset Enough, or Do We Need More?

Sure, embracing a growth mindset is a great first step, but we’ve got to recognize that sometimes, believing in ourselves needs a little boost from the belief others have in us. Cultivating that “yet” mindset takes time, patience, and consistent effort. Growth is a journey, and the encouragement we get from mentors, teachers, and peers can make a difference in how we see ourselves and our ability to improve.

How Can We Help Our Learners Rekindle or Adopt a Learner's Mindset?

For students to thrive, they need to understand that learning is a never-ending journey and that the pursuit of knowledge is lifelong. One way to do this is by showing them that feedback is a tool for moving forward, not just criticism. I always remind my students that I’m on my learning journey, too, and that I welcome feedback to better myself as a teacher. If I can’t accept constructive criticism and keep improving, am I engaging in the learning process? By creating an environment where feedback is valued and seen as a path to growth, we can inspire our students to embrace a mindset of lifelong learning.

References

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2025). Perseverance. In Merriam-Webster Dictionary.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance

Riggio, R. E. (2022, April 23). How is grit related to leadership? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/202204/what-is-grit-and-do-you-have-it