The hardships we face today are the lessons we learn tomorrow. Yet, many see difficulties as roadblocks rather than stepping stones. This mindset prevents us from seeing the opportunities that challenges can offer us. If we focused on how we could grow and what we could learn, our perspective might change. We might shift from feeling powerless to powerful. While our circumstances don’t define who we are, the way we respond to them does. We are capable of handling hard things, and it starts with having a growth mindset.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
There are two types of mindsets: growth and fixed. A growth mindset helps you focus on the lesson instead of just the problem. While we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control what we take away from the experience. When I was in college, I struggled in a math class and worried I might fail. Instead of giving up, I went to tutoring after class. Over time, my quiz scores improved, and I finished the semester with a good grade. But if I had just focused on the problem, I wouldn’t have seen the lesson. From that experience, I learned that asking for help can make a difference.
Redefining Strength
What is the difference between being strong and being resilient? To me, strong is an external ideal, while resilience is an innate power. If you’ve made it this far in life, chances are you’ve persevered through some challenges. Some may define you as a strong person, but I want us to expand how we see strength. Asking for help during tough times is a strength. Being in touch with how you feel is another strength. When we go through trials, it isn’t about showing people how strong we are, but allowing people to see our vulnerability. We are resilient. But we don’t always need to be “strong”.
Being Comfortable with Change
While challenges can be uncomfortable, they allow us to grow. Often, it’s not the challenge itself, but our resistance to change that makes it difficult. People who struggle with challenges frequently have a fixed mindset and believe they can’t improve. But we are all capable of growth if we give ourselves the chance. When I created my blog, I didn’t know how to design a website, but I decided to learn. What was once unfamiliar territory became an opportunity for growth. When responding to challenges, don’t allow fear to keep you stuck.
Shifting Your Focus
When you face a challenge, there is a question I want you to answer. What can I learn and how can I grow? This exercise can help you shift from what you can’t control to what you can. By doing this, you are developing a growth mindset, which makes it easier to overcome challenges.