Growth Mindset: How to Develop and Embrace Learning and Growth

Last updated: February 3, 2026

The terms growth mindset and fixed mindset come from the work of psychologist Carol Dweck. In short, the difference comes down to this:

Growth mindset: you believe that skills and intelligence can grow through practice, good strategies, feedback, and time

Fixed mindset: you are more likely to believe that you either can or cannot do something, and that it is fixed

In 2021, I personally followed a training on growth mindset that stayed with me. It put me in a positive flow, mainly because it helped me look differently at mistakes and doubt. Later on, I also gave trainings on it myself. Not because one mindset solves everything, but because it gives you a practical way to deal with challenges.

One honest note is important: growth mindset is not a magic trick. Research shows that the effects can be small on average, and that context matters a lot. It often works best when you combine it with real tools, such as good learning strategies, support, rest, and realistic steps. That is exactly why we made this blog very practical.

Why growth mindset helps, especially with pressure and doubt

A lot of Gen Zers and millennials recognise performance pressure, comparison, and the feeling that you should be able to do something right away. When that happens, learning quickly becomes something you need to prove, instead of something you are allowed to practise.

A growth mindset helps shift the focus:

From proving yourself to making progress

From fear of failure to learning

From perfection to consistency

It does not immediately change your feelings, but it can guide your behaviour when you feel tension.

Growth mindset in real life: what you start doing differently

Imagine you get stuck on a study assignment, a new work project, or a personal skill such as exercising, presenting, or setting boundaries.

With a fixed mindset, it often sounds like this:

I’m just not good at this

I want to avoid this

If I fail, that means I’m bad

With a growth mindset, it more often sounds like this:

I can’t do this yet

What is one next step

What strategy or help do I need

The word yet is simple, but often powerful.

6 ways to train your growth mindset

1) Replace talent language with process language

Instead of saying “I’m bad at...”, try saying:

I’m learning this

I need a different approach

I’m not where I want to be yet

2) Make a mistake learning card

Every time something goes wrong, write down 3 sentences:

What happened

What can I learn from this

What will I try differently next time

This takes the shame out of the mistake and turns it into information.

3) Focus on strategy, not just on working harder

Growth mindset is not about endlessly pushing through. It is about practising smart.

Ask yourself:

Which approach did not work

Which approach can I test

Who can give me feedback

4) Train with mini challenges

Choose something that feels exciting or uncomfortable, but is still doable within 10 minutes.

Examples:

send one email you have been postponing

do one difficult exercise

start one honest conversation

ask for feedback once

Your brain starts learning: I can handle difficult things.

5) Make feedback feel safe

Literally say:

Can I ask for one tip that would help me improve

What is one thing I could do better

When feedback is concrete, it feels less like judgment.

6) Celebrate progress, not only the result

Do not only celebrate getting a high grade, but also things like:

I started

I kept practising

I asked for help

I set a boundary

I tried again

That is the foundation of resilience.

7 day growth mindset challenge

Day 1: write the word yet after 3 things you find difficult
Day 2: choose one 10 minute mini challenge
Day 3: ask one person for concrete feedback
Day 4: make one mistake learning card
Day 5: mute one source of comparison and plan something offline
Day 6: make one attempt at something you would normally postpone
Day 7: reflect: what worked, and what will I take with me?

What this has to do with Like Charlie

At Like Charlie, we make mental health easier to talk about and keep the conversation going. Growth mindset fits into that because it helps you be gentler with yourself, keep learning, and make doubt less dominant.

View all story print T shirts:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/t-shirts

Discover the question card game to make real conversations easier:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/vragenspellen

Read our story and find out who Charlie is:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/pages/het-verhaal

Interested in workshops at schools or a request? We do not yet have a dedicated page for this. Please email management@likecharlieclothing.com.

When extra support is a good idea

If fear of failure, stress, or low mood is blocking your daily life or continues for weeks, talk about it with someone you trust and contact your GP.

Young people: https://www.injebol.nl/
Adults: https://wijzijnmind.nl/

FAQ about growth mindset

What is the difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset?

Growth mindset assumes that development is possible through practice, strategy, and feedback. Fixed mindset feels more like you either can or cannot do something, full stop.

Does growth mindset really work?

Research shows that it can help in some cases, but that the effects are often small on average and depend on the context. It usually works better when combined with good learning strategies, support, and an environment where learning feels safe.

How do I help myself when I fall into fear of failure?

Make it small. Choose one next step that takes 10 minutes, ask for one concrete tip, and use process language like “I’m learning this” instead of “I can’t do this.”

Can you have both a growth mindset and a fixed mindset?

Yes. In some areas, you may feel open and focused on learning, while in other areas you may fall more quickly into pressure to prove yourself. The goal is not to be perfect, but to recognise it sooner and adjust.

Sources

Book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol S. Dweck
https://books.google.nl/books/about/Mindset.html?id=fdjqz0TPL2wC

Large study on a school growth mindset intervention (summary via PubMed)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31391586/

Meta analysis on mindsets and school performance (article page)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797617739704

Overview of growth mindset interventions, What Works Clearinghouse (IES)
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/InterventionReports/WWC_GrowthMindset_IR_report.pdf

APA podcast on growth mindset and what the research shows
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/growth-mindset