Technology is constantly evolving and changing, and so are the skills required to succeed in this field. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is always something new to learn and improve. But how do you keep up with the fast-paced and competitive world of tech?
One of the key factors that can help you achieve your goals and overcome challenges is having a growth mindset. A growth mindset is simply the belief that your basic abilities can be developed and improved through dedication and hard work. It’s not so much that this belief is some kind of magic. It’s just that without a growth mindset, you don’t exert the required effort and so you remain perpetually stuck. But with a growth mindset, you can break through the stuck-ness and achieve the long-term goals you desire.
In this article, we will explore what a growth mindset is, why it matters, and how you can develop one to learn new skills in tech.
What is a Growth Mindset?
The concept of growth mindset was popularized by Stanford professor Carol Dweck and her colleagues. They conducted research on how students’ beliefs about their intelligence affected their academic performance and motivation. They found that students who believed that their intelligence was fixed and unchangeable tended to avoid challenges, give up easily, ignore feedback, and feel threatened by the success of others. These students had what Dweck called a “fixed mindset.”
On the other hand, students who believed that their intelligence was malleable and could be improved with effort and practice tended to embrace challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, seek feedback, and learn from others’ success. These students had what Dweck called a “growth mindset.”
Dweck’s research showed that having a growth mindset led to higher achievement and greater motivation than having a fixed mindset. She also found that people’s mindsets are not set in stone. They can change over time and vary depending on the situation and the domain. For example, you may have a growth mindset about your artistic skills, but a fixed mindset about your math skills.
Why Does Growth Mindset Matter in Tech?
Having a growth mindset is especially important in tech, where the skills and knowledge you need are constantly changing and expanding. If you have a fixed mindset, you may think that you are either good or bad at tech, and that there is nothing you can do to change that. You may avoid learning new technologies or taking on new projects because you fear failure or embarrassment. You may also compare yourself to others and feel insecure or jealous of their achievements.
If you have a growth mindset, however, you may see tech as an exciting and dynamic field where you can always learn something new and improve your skills. You may welcome new challenges and opportunities to stretch yourself and grow. You may also appreciate the feedback and support of others and use them to enhance your learning. You may not be afraid of making mistakes, but rather see them as valuable lessons.
Having a growth mindset can help you achieve more in tech, not only because you work harder and smarter, but also because you enjoy the process more. You may find more satisfaction and meaning in your work, and feel more confident and resilient in the face of difficulties.
How to Develop a Growth Mindset in Tech?
Developing a growth mindset is not something that happens overnight. It requires consistent practice and effort to reframe the way you think about yourself and your abilities. Here are some tips to help you develop a growth mindset in tech:
- Listen to the mindset voice inside of you. We all have an inner voice that tells us what we can or cannot do, what we are good or bad at, what we should or should not try. This voice can be either supportive or critical, depending on our mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, your voice may say things like “I’m not smart enough to learn this,” “I’ll never be as good as them,” “This is too hard for me,” etc. If you have a growth mindset, your voice may say things like “I can learn this if I work hard,” “I can learn from their success,” “This is a challenge that will help me grow,” etc.
- Recognize that you have a choice. You may not be able to control the voice inside your head, but you can choose how to respond to it. You can either accept it as the truth, or challenge it with a different perspective. You can either let it limit you, or empower you. You can either have a fixed mindset, or a growth mindset.
- Talk back with a growth mindset voice. Whenever you catch yourself thinking or saying something that reflects a fixed mindset, try to replace it with a statement that reflects a growth mindset. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” say “I can’t do this yet.” Instead of saying “This is too hard,” say “This is hard, but I can do hard things.” Instead of saying “They are better than me,” say “They are better than me at this, but I can learn from them.”
- Practice. Developing a growth mindset is like building a muscle. It takes time and repetition to make it stronger. The more you practice using a growth mindset voice, the more natural and automatic it will become. You can also practice by doing activities that challenge your skills and push you out of your comfort zone. For example, you can learn a new programming language, take on a new project, join a hackathon, etc.
- Find outside help. You don’t have to develop a growth mindset on your own. You can seek the help and support of others who share your goals and values. You can join online communities, forums, groups, courses, etc., where you can learn from others, ask questions, get feedback, and share your progress. You can also find mentors, coaches, teachers, friends, etc., who can encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you.
