Cultivating A Growth Mindset: Lessons From My Journey As A Lifelong Learner

Throughout my career, the philosophy of a growth mindset has guided my professional endeavors and profoundly shaped my personal growth. However, I must admit adopting this mindset wasn’t a walk in the park for me. For many years, I grappled with a tendency to blame others for my setbacks, a habit that often obscured my potential for growth and change.

Challenges As Opportunities

Early in my career, I viewed challenges more as barriers than opportunities. This perspective shifted when I founded PureGame in 2009. Starting this organization was a pivotal moment that taught me to see every challenge as a lesson waiting to be learned. For instance, when we faced financial difficulties in the early years, I learned to be resourceful and creative in finding solutions. By embracing obstacles like these, I set a precedent for those I mentor and lead, demonstrating that improvement is paved with trials meant to be embraced, not avoided.

• The Power of ‘Yet’: The concept of ‘yet’ has been a game-changer in my approach to personal and professional growth. As I spent time with the kids on the PureGame fields, I often heard them saying, ‘I can’t do this.’ I would then step in and tell them, ‘You can’t do this yet, but you’ll get there.’ This simple addition of ‘yet’ to my vocabulary helped me shift from seeing limits to seeing endless possibilities. Whenever I encountered something I couldn’t do, I began to tell myself, ‘I can’t do this—yet.’ This small word became a powerful reminder that growth is a continuous journey with no limits.
• Valuing Effort Over Perfection: Prioritizing effort over innate talent was a significant change in my mindset. Moving away from a fixed mindset, which prizes natural ability, to a growth mindset, which celebrates diligent effort, taught me the importance of valuing the learning process itself and recognizing the incremental gains that come through persistent work. Believe me, starting a nonprofit is all about persistence. What I lacked in talent, I made up for in effort. And for those who know me, you’ll agree that statement rings true when I play soccer.
• Learning from Feedback: My relationship with feedback evolved with my mindset. Initially, I viewed feedback defensively as a critique of my failures. Over time, and especially after founding PureGame, I began to see feedback as essential to growth. I learned to seek out and value feedback, understanding it as a guide for where to focus my developmental efforts. For instance, when I received feedback on my leadership style, I took it as an opportunity to reflect and improve. This shift in perspective allowed me to grow as a leader and create a more positive and productive work environment.
• Celebrating Every Step Forward: Celebrating each learning milestone has been a cornerstone of my journey. It amplifies the joy of learning and the satisfaction of progress. Recognizing each step forward motivates me to continue striving and refining my skills and understanding and instills a sense of accomplishment that fuels my drive.
• Leading by Example: My journey through the realms of a growth mindset compels me to lead by example. I openly share my challenges and successes, creating an environment where vulnerability is viewed as a strength. This openness encourages others to embark on their paths of continuous improvement, fostering a culture of development and resilience.
• A Perpetual Journey: The journey toward embracing a growth mindset has been transformative, pushing me beyond what I once thought possible. It’s a continuous path that requires nurturing and encouragement. As I share these insights, I hope to inspire you to fully embrace this mindset, understanding that every challenge and every lesson is a step toward becoming your best self. Keep striving, keep learning, and remember: your potential is limitless, especially when you believe in the power of ‘yet.’

Are you ready to join me on this journey to unlock the boundless potential within ourselves and those we inspire? Schedule a call by clicking this Calendly link; I would love to hear about your journey through the fields of growth mindset.Yours in Leadership and Growth,Tony Everett