EXP105_G30 Assignments Week 1 – Journal- Developing a Growth Mindset

Reflective Journal: Mindset

For this reflection, you are encouraged to step outside of your comfort zone, dig deep, and be honest with yourself. Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. Therefore, you will not be graded on specific content in your journal. You will be assessed on the depth of your reflection, so take this opportunity to inspire personal thought and ideas. Note: This journal template has two parts that you need to complete.

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Part 1

Directions: Respond thoroughly and honestly to each prompt.

1. Describe how you felt when you read through your results of the Mindset Assessment. Were you surprised? Did you agree? Why or why not? Provide examples to support your response.

When I saw my results of my mindset assessment I was not surprised. I agree that it is correct. I can be very down on myself when it comes to success and failure. Recently I had a task of forecasting for 2 of our call centers at work. I wasn’t given much guidance on how to do this task. When it came for review of my numbers I was asked how I got them and simply just being questioned made me question if I was successful or not.

2. Choose three strategies from the “25 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset” article and explainhow you will use each strategy in your academic, personal, or professional life to help you develop a growth mindset.

I really enjoyed the article. I want to try to implement most of the strategies offered. The three strategies I would start with would be 1. Acknowledge and embrace imperfections, 6. Stop seeking approval and 5. replace the word failing with learning. The reason I would start with these first is because of how hard I am on myself. In order to develop a growth mindset I need to implement these in my all aspects of my life. Being able to acknowledge and embrace my imperfections will help me stop beating myself up and feeling as if I am not good enough. I often look for the approval of my co-workers before moving forward with tasks. If I was to start embracing myself then I would need to stop seeking approval and be confident in myself. This also includes replacing the word failing with the word learning. If I am not afraid of “learning” I would be able to stop seeking the approval of my co-workers. I really feel all of these go hand in hand.

3. Explain what you learned about how a growth mindset can help you learn.

A growth mindset helped me learn that my current mindset is actually closed minded. When reading about Dweck’s latest research and how the children actually thrived when they pushed themselves and were not afraid of failing, it made me think of my own children. I wouldn’t want them to feel as if they need to lie to feel successful and I want to shift the way they see education as well as me. I need to see things around me as opportunities to learn and not be so closed minded and fear that I am failing and that I am “dumb” . I would have to say that reading this article came at a perfect time in my life. I have been feeling down and even depressed that I

wasn’t intelligent enough. Now I realize I have put myself in a box and only was seeing everything in a pass or fail instead of trying to find new ways to lean and grow as an individual. My mindset was holding me back, but not anymore!

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Part 2

Directions: Did you know that what you say to yourself or others can boost your productivity, confidence, and relieve stress? When you replace negative phrases with more positive ones, you can change your outlook and your outcomes.

Below are some common negative statements that students tell themselves. Restate them using a growth mindset perspective. The first two are done for you as an example.

Original Statement Statement Reframed

This stuff is too hard. I’m not going to pass the EXAMPLE: The test is hard, but if I get help and test. study, I can pass the test.

I am no good at math. EXAMPLE: I struggle with math because I

don’t work very hard at it. When I work hard and solve the problem I grow my brain capacity.

I got a terrible grade. My teacher must hate me. If I study more I will be able to raise my grade. I

need to talk with the teacher about their expectations so I can get a better grade.

This assignment is impossible. The assignment is difficult, I need to study and

ask for help to complete it.

This is a waste of my time. It has nothing to do This assignment will help me grow my brain

with my major. capacity. Learning things that are not a part of my

major will make me grow as a person

I don’t get it. I give up. I need to ask for help and study the material

more. Giving up is not going to help me improve.

I’m worried I might make a mistake. Mistakes are a part of the learning process. In

order to learn well I am going to have to allow time for mistakes.

I’m too embarrassed to post my response. If I truly appreciate grown I will need to share my progress with others.

I don’t think I’m advanced enough. I’m not It takes time to learn. I can learn. The brain isn’t

prepared. fixed then neither can my mind. I can be

prepared.

I don’t know if this is for me. I’m too old. I need to abandon image and work hard. You can always improve and learn no matter how old you are.

I’ve never been a good student. I will try different learning tactics until I find something that works for me.

This task looks too hard. Why bother trying? Value the process. Enjoy learning and the end result.

Take it one step further. (Optional) You’re encouraged to start a log of your own reframed statements. When you catch yourself exhibiting a fixed mindset or engaging in negative self-talk, take a moment to rephrase your thinking with a positive statement. Use this chart below to get started.