Growth Mindset Quotes and Tips

When you see the word “learning” or “education,” my guess is that it may conjure up some image of a student, a desk and a paper and pencil. In order to be the best self-leader you can be, you need to create a new learning paradigm. Rethink education. Rethink learning. Rethink the concept of the teacher teaching and the student silently absorbing information. Always have a growth mindset.

I set a goal decades ago to go back to school every 10 years. And it has changed my life.

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.

– Anthony J. D’Angelo

I am a true believer in education, formal and informal. I love the time that I have been able to sit in classrooms and soak up knowledge. However, I also acknowledge the incredible amount of truly life-changing learning experiences that I’ve had outside of the classroom, such as traveling, interacting with patients and colleagues, starting new business ventures, succeeding and, especially, knowledge gained from failing.

Learning and growth do not just happen in insolation inside of a classroom. When you open your mind to this truism, the world becomes your classroom, and life itself becomes your ever-present, enduring teacher.

How to Follow a Path of Life-Long Learning

• Enroll in a course. For example, Udemy (www.udemy.com) and Coursera (www.coursera.org) offer great, free courses on a broad range of topics.
• Ask questions that begin with “how” and “why.” They’ll yield much richer responses. Accept the answers, then verify them.
• Watch a TED talk on a subject you are interested in.
• Keep an open mind. Approaching situations, conversations and new people with an open mind, you’re likely to learn a great deal.
• Change what you do for physical exercise. Learn to box, mountain bike, golf, row or salsa. Your brain learns when your body learns.
• Learn more about yourself, too. Introspection is your best friend. Learn to question yourself and to accept the answers you find. Meditation is a great tool for this endeavor. It will help you clear your mind and tap into your subconscious.
• Put down the remote. Learn a new card game or read a book or article on a new topic. Unwind in a way that challenges your mind.
• Make “why” one of your favorite words. There’s a reason three-year-olds love this word. They want to learn about the world and the way it works. Rediscover that same curiosity within yourself. Allow yourself to ask “why,” even when it may seem silly.
• Rethink your definition of curiosity. Far too often, people think curiosity is just aimless mental wandering. When you allow your mind to wander — and wonder, you’ll find treasures, many of which can be lucrative.

I challenge you to commit to exploring the “why’s” that pop into your head. I’ve built a life by questioning the world, and I couldn’t be happier or more grateful. The answers to the questions you explore might lead you to some surprising findings about yourself, the way you view the world, the way things work and the way life works.

Constant learning is the way to a life full of wonder and a life of continual growth. I can say with true conviction that my commitment to learn all I can from my experiences has made me who I am today. A growth mindset will truly change your life.

Growth Mindset Quotes