How to Build a Growth-Oriented Mindset (Even If You’ve Struggled Before)
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
—C.S. Lewis
Let’s Be Honest…
Have you ever started something with high hopes—learning a new skill, taking on a leadership role, applying for a dream job—only to hit a roadblock and think, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this”?
If you have, you’re not alone. We all hit that wall. But here’s the difference between those who stop and those who succeed: mindset.
In last week’s article, we talked about what mindset is and why it’s the foundation of leadership. If you missed it, mindset is basically the story you tell yourself about who you are and what’s possible. And the most powerful kind? A growth mindset—the belief that you can improve with effort, learning, and persistence.
This week, we’re digging into the how. Because believing in growth is one thing. Living it is another.
What a Growth Mindset Actually Looks Like
A growth mindset isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s great. It’s not about ignoring failure. In fact, it’s the opposite.
It’s about recognizing when something is hard when you mess up when you don’t have the answers—and choosing to keep going anyway. It’s saying:
“I don’t know this… yet.”
“That didn’t go well… but I can learn from it.”
“This is new… and I’m figuring it out.”
Leaders with growth mindsets aren’t perfect. They’re just coachable. They show up, stay curious, and take action even when they feel uncertain.
So, how do you actually build that kind of mindset?
Step 1: Listen to Your Inner Voice
We all have an internal narrator. Sometimes it’s a cheerleader. Sometimes, it’s a harsh criticism.
The first step to building a growth mindset is to become aware of that voice. Pay attention to the things you say to yourself when:
You make a mistake
You’re under pressure.
You’re comparing yourself to someone else
Fixed mindset sounds like:
“I’m not good at this.”
“If I fail, I’ll look stupid.”
“I’ll never be as confident as them.”
A growth mindset sounds like this:
“I’m learning.”
“I can get better with practice.”
“This is hard, but I’ve done hard things before.”
Try this:
Write down three negative things you say to yourself often. Now, rewrite them from a growth mindset perspective. (You’ll find a worksheet for this at the bottom of the post!)
Step 2: Reframe Failure as Feedback
This one’s big. A growth mindset doesn’t fear failure—it uses it.
When something doesn’t work out, ask yourself:
What is this trying to teach me?
What would I do differently next time?
How can this help me grow?
Great leaders aren’t the ones who never fail. They’re the ones who fail forward—turning mistakes into stepping stones. When you reframe failure as feedback, you build resilience. And resilience builds confidence.
Step 3: Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People
Your environment shapes your mindset more than you realize.
If you’re always around people who complain, make excuses, or avoid challenges, it’s easy to fall into that pattern. But when you surround yourself with people who try, who fail, who learn—you start doing the same.
Find your growth circle:
Join a mastermind or professional group.
Listen to podcasts or follow thought leaders with positive, practical perspectives.
Get a mentor or accountability buddy who challenges you to grow
You don’t have to do this alone. Growth is contagious when you’re around the right people.
Step 4: Take One Brave Step (Even If It’s Small)
You don’t need to change your whole mindset overnight. In fact, trying to do too much at once often backfires.
Instead, pick one small action that pushes you outside your comfort zone. Just one.
Maybe it’s:
Speaking up in your next team meeting
Asking for feedback from your manager
Applying for a project you’re not 100% sure you’re “ready” for
Small, brave steps lead to big mindset shifts. Every time you take one, you prove to yourself you can do hard things. I can grow.
Progress Over Perfection
Here’s the truth: you’ll still have off days. You’ll still doubt yourself sometimes. That’s normal. A growth mindset isn’t about never feeling stuck. It’s about not staying stuck.
Every time you challenge your old beliefs, every time you choose growth over fear, you’re rewiring your brain for leadership.
And the more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
Coming Up Next Week…
Next Monday, we’ll explore the 5 Essential Leadership Mindsets you need to succeed in any role—whether you’re managing a team or leading yourself. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
Final Word
You don’t have to have it all together to start growing. You just have to be willing.
Growth isn’t something you find. It’s something you choose—one thought, one habit, one challenge at a time.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.
Subscribe to the EXCEL2WIN Leadership Newsletter for weekly mindset tools, bonus content, and a community of ambitious young professionals just like you.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Several months ago in the EXCEL2WIN Leadership Newsletter, I featured Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck—and it’s worth bringing back into the spotlight as we dive into this week’s article, “How to Build a Growth-Oriented Mindset (Even If You’ve Struggled Before).” This book remains one of the most powerful resources for anyone looking to shift the way they think, grow, and lead.
In Mindset, Dweck explains how our beliefs about talent and intelligence influence everything—from how we handle setbacks to how we lead others. She introduces the difference between a fixed mindset (believing your abilities are static) and a growth mindset (believing you can develop through effort). This aligns perfectly with our focus this week: transforming limiting thoughts into empowering beliefs and taking small, brave steps—even when growth feels slow.
If you’ve ever questioned your potential or let fear dictate your progress, this book gives you the clarity and encouragement to move forward.
Pick up your copy of Mindset today, and revisit past editions of the EXCEL2WIN Leadership Newsletter in the archive for more insights on mindset and personal growth. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe today and stay in growth mode!
