Take Back Your Power: How a Growth Mindset Can Enhance Your Life

How does one adapt a growth mindset?

First of all, you need to start believing that you can improve your life — no matter your age — through continual learning, rather than resigning yourself to the outdated belief that aging means deteriorating.

There is actually a strong mind and body connection when it comes to your mindset. Several recent studies show that when your brain starts declining, due to a lack of continual learning, your body starts to decline as well. And much of this is attributed to the power of negative perceptions about aging. So, the sooner you take back the power to change your life’s course, the better.

Adapting a growth mindset doesn’t necessarily mean changing everything about yourself. Consider it an enhancement to your life. A growth mindset means actively looking for ways to challenge yourself and open your mind to learning new things. It means believing in your ability to learn various subjects, activities and skills. It means believing that, through dedication and hard work, you can successfully accomplish new goals outside your comfort zone.

Use it or lose it.

Scientifically speaking, keeping your brain strong and healthy means taking control of it by creating new neural pathways each and every day of your life. Especially as you get older. Think of your brain as a muscle. You’ve got to give it a workout and keep it engaged. This keeps your brain cells firing, rewiring and reconnecting, ensuring a sharper mind that functions well. It’s all about neuroplasticity. Our brains work best when they’re reorganizing connective patterns to help us learn new things and adapt new skills. 

Similarly to exercising your brain, exercising your body and becoming physically stronger can help your mental health, too. Staying consistently active can fire endorphins that soothe achy muscles. Yoga and meditation are great workouts for both body and mind as well, helping you breathe and centering your mind on the present moment (while pulling your thoughts away from past regrets or fear of the future). 

Eliminate the negative.

There’s more to this than simply learning new things, though. Developing a growth mindset also means ridding your mind of negative thoughts and habits, especially those associated with aging. Negativity can become an obstacle to your mental and physical health as you grow older. 

Accentuate the positive.

Transitioning your lifestyle to one of healthy growth requires actively changing from within and connecting with yourself more positively, on a deeper level. It involves resetting your mind and continually seeking out new learning opportunities. Set new goals for continuous growth. This is the greatest gift of health you can give to yourself. Remember, you alone have the power to decide what you do with yourself each and every day.

10 Growth Mindset Habits

1. Think positively, aim to be your best self and celebrate every small step you take.

2. Turn failures into learning opportunities for self-improvement.

3. Connect with other lifelong learners.

4. Create the time and space necessary to pursue your dreams.

5. Move your body every day. 

6. Find quiet time for self-reflection or meditation. 

7. Do what inspires you and seek out new adventures.

8. Try or learn something new every day. An activity. A language. A new city. A lecture.

9. Say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, even if they’re a little uncomfortable.

10. Don’t give any power to negative thoughts about aging.

Growth Mindset by the Numbers

95%


The amount your mindset affects your chances of success (vs. actual planning and doing)

9

The average number of months it takes after adapting a growth mindset to notice an improved ability to cope with anxiety and stress

42%


The increased likelihood that you’ll be able to overcome obstacles and setbacks

40%


The number of adults practicing a growth mindset and exhibiting higher achievement levels than those lacking a growth mindset

7.5


The number of years longer you could live with a positive outlook on aging (rather than viewing aging negatively)

So, ask yourself, “How can I learn and grow today?” Adjust your patterns of behavior. Take it one step at a time. What are your passions? Your dreams? Begin to find joy in even your smallest daily accomplishments, whatever that looks like for you. Perhaps it’s reconnecting with a long lost friend over the phone or reorganizing a shelf to make room for that new book club hardcover. Triggering your brain with positive actions and feeling gratitude for the little things releases happiness chemicals in your mind’s “reward center.”

Now, let’s defy those ‘old’ rules of aging, take on a growth mindset and begin a lifetime filled with new adventures. Your friends at Road Scholar are right here with you and happy to help you connect with others who will inspire you to learn and grow. All you have to do is believe in yourself! 

How will you grow this year? Join the conversation on Facebook.