The Practical Side of a Growth Mindset in Medicine and Life

The growth mindset, advocated by scholars like Carol Dweck, emphasizes the malleability of abilities through effort. It complements the necessity of planning, action, stress management, learning from failure, conquering doubt, mentorship, self-study, and rest. Embracing imperfection and reflecting consistently are pivotal, underlining the multifaceted approach to personal growth and improvement.

“Positive thinking fools our minds into perceiving that we’ve already attained our goal, slackening our readiness to pursue it.”

This observation by Gabriele Oettingen serves as a poignant reminder that while aspiration is necessary, it alone does not yield attainment.

Understanding Growth Mindset Through a Clinical Lens

The concept of a growth mindset, robustly researched and disseminated by Carol Dweck, suggests that our abilities are not fixed but can be cultivated through perseverance and effort (Dweck, 2000; Rattan et al., 2012; Dweck and Yeager, 2019). Its integration into medical education is changing how we cultivate resilience and adaptability in our residents (Puri, Aditi et al., 2023).

In the era of bite-sized information consumption, it’s tempting to reduce complex theories into oversimplified sound bites. This risks diluting the essence of concepts like the growth mindset. To combat this, bite-sized resources such as this Harvard Business Review video offer a digestible yet accurate portrayal of the growth mindset and address prevalent misconceptions.

Action and Effort: Beyond the Growth Mindset

My advocacy for the growth mindset is personal; it aligns with values instilled in me from a young age: if you want to achieve something, you have to put in the work. The growth mindset complements this by suggesting that through sustained effort, practice, and guidance, progress is attainable.

The Art of Getting Started and Grit

Who hasn’t felt stuck at some point? We often try to reinvigorate ourselves with self-talk, seeking to initiate action. This self-affirmation, “I’m not there, yet, but I will be,” epitomizes the growth mindset. Yet, recognizing opportunities for growth is markedly different from actualizing them. Here lies the common ‘failure to launch’ problem. Whether it’s learners acknowledging feedback without making changes or seasoned professionals feeling complacent, the art of initiating change is both nuanced and vital.

Reflection and Grit in Motion

The start is only the beginning. As we move forward, we often encounter the ‘comfort zone’ trap, where familiarity breeds inaction. Here, reflection and grit interplay to drive us onward. Stephen Covey’s principle of beginning with the end in mind from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People can guide us in setting clear goals and actions. True progress is not merely about knowing the path but also about walking it—each step informed by both mentorship and self-driven research.

Setting Goals: Precision and Realism

Goal setting is an art in itself. Goals must be precise, time-bound, and measurable to focus our energies and provide direction for our growth journey. Remember, it’s not the goals themselves but the outcomes they lead to that matter.

Embracing Imperfection and Learning from Setbacks

Failures and setbacks are inevitable companions on any growth journey. Yet, each provides a unique learning opportunity, an invaluable guide on what not to repeat. Trust, once compromised by repeated mistakes, can be challenging to rebuild. Therefore, embracing imperfection and adapting from failures is critical to our growth narrative.

Navigating Doubt with Contrast Reflection

Doubt is an ever-present voice during our growth journey. Contrast reflection is a technique I’ve found particularly helpful when doubt seeps in. By comparing who we are today with who we were yesterday, we gain perspective on our growth and the areas still needing attention. Growth is a non-linear process, often realized through consistent, hard work.

The Physiology of Growth: Stress and Eustress

Eustress, the positive stress, is akin to the stress our muscles endure during exercise—it’s necessary for growth (Rudland, 2021). Too much stress, however, can become pathological. Recognizing when to push and when to rest is vital for sustainable growth.

Consistent Reflection: Solidifying Learning

Journaling is a tool I’ve integrated into my routine. Despite the challenges of feeling ‘too busy,’ the act of journaling has consistently enhanced my performance. The benefits are not just anecdotal but are supported by research, indicating increased learning retention and clarity in the growth journey (Kesebir, P.; Eurich, T.; Gino, F.).

The Broader Picture: Life’s Seasons and Balance

The journey of self-improvement ebbs and flows, requiring us to pivot and adapt. For me, balancing the roles of husband, father, community involvement, and physician/leader/educator has underscored the importance of resilience and self-awareness in nurturing growth without losing sight of life’s broader canvas.

Closing Thoughts

I stand as a proponent of the growth mindset, not to tout it as a cure-all, but to highlight its role as a crucial part of a larger equation that includes diligent work, learning through adversity, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.

The Bullet Points

Growth mindset helps, but it is only part of the equation.

To achieve results

  • You have to plan and take action
  • You have to experience stress
  • You have to learn from failure and apply what you learn
  • You have to conquer doubt

Some of the tools and exercises to help you:

  • Mentorship
  • Self-study
  • Reflection
  • Expect and accept course correction
  • Rest and Recovery

References:

  1. Dweck, C. S. (2000). Self-theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development. Psychology Press.
  2. Rattan, A., Good, C., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). ““It’s ok — not everyone can be good at math”: instructors with an entity theory comfort (and demotivate) students.” (““It’s ok — Not everyone can be good at math”: Instructors with an …”) Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 731-737.
  3. Dweck, C. S., & Yeager, D. S. (2019). Mindsets: a view from two eras. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14, 481-496.
  4. Schroder, H. S., et al. (2017b). Growth mindset of anxiety buffers the link between stressful life events and psychological distress and coping strategies. Personality and Individual Differences, 110, 23-26.
  5. Puri, Aditi et al. (2023). Changing the Assessment Paradigm: Promoting a Growth Mindset Across the Medical Education Continuum. The American Journal of Medicine, 136(2), 207-212.
  6. Rudland, J. R., et al. (2021). Relationships among perceived learning, challenge, and affect in a clinical context. BMC Medical Education, 21(1), 169.
  7. Kesebir, P. (n.d.). Does Journaling Boost Your Well-Being? Center for Healthy Minds. https://centerhealthyminds.org/join-the-movement/does-journaling-boost-your-well-being
  8. Eurich, T. (2017). Why You Should Make Time for Self-Reflection (Even If You Hate Doing It). Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2017/03/why-you-should-make-time-for-self-reflection
  9. Gino, F. (n.d.). Reflecting on Work Improves Job Performance. Harvard Business School Working Knowledge. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/reflecting-on-work-improves-job-performance