Gratitude, Growth and Learning Mindsets
Creative growth and learning. Photo by Agence Ollwseb.
This photo reminds me of my 2 year old grandson who comes over and immediately asks for my box of pencil crayons. He calls them “sticks”.
I have them stored away specially for him - along with paper he can color on.
What’s so interesting is that, although he does color now, his intent with these pencil crayons is to use them as drum sticks - he’s very particular about the colors he chooses and which ones he hands to me so that we can drum together.
And so we begin - drumming on the footrest or wherever his little arms can reach.
Together we explore making loud drumming noises (or singing), and then quiet drumming noises. He sometimes asks for “tunes” to be put on - he likes a range of tunes from hard rock to specific songs his Dad has recorded (Country music singer Jojo Mason). His rhythm is very good and he’s got the look and moves of a drummer or guitarist down pat. And, in case you didn’t know, pencil crayons can be guitars as well!
I am in awe at this little man who has an innate growth and learning mindset - he thinks nothing of exploring how to play with pencil crayons in different ways. His mind isn’t bogged down with the “right” way to hold or use pencil crayons and so he’s free to learn and grow in his own time and in his own way.
I’m grateful for him - he has innocently reminded me that we all have the capacity to grow and learn no matter our age or stage in life. He challenges me to see things differently - like using pencil crayons as drum sticks or guitars.
In fact, it’s even more important in some ways for those of us in mid-life and beyond to foster a relationship with our creativity and explore new learning opportunities.
We remain stuck when we believe that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.
There’s a lot of evidence to show that when we believe we can learn new things, and we begin to gather evidence that it’s true, we are more likely to embrace life, cultivate and strengthen a mindset that says “I can learn, grow, change, explore, create, try new things”.
Our brains are flexible and we now know that new neural pathways are cultivated when we have a fundamental belief that our learning and intelligence can be expanded. I’m grateful for this!
A learning mindset encompasses the Growth Mindset concept created by Carol Dueck, but goes a step farther in describing the learning mind as one that focuses on gathering knowledge and skills, seeks learning through opportunities and mistakes alike, and values the learning process as much as the outcome.
Gratitude comes to mind again when I think about how lucky I am to live in the era I do and have people around me who challenge my growth and learning in many ways.
I haven’t always believed in my ability to learn - my shyness and insecurities sometimes stopped me from seeking out new experiences and even today I find myself reminding me that it’s in the learning process where I will grow and flourish the most. Perfectionism, a topic for another post, is the evil character that has no place in our stories and must be dealt with harshly if we are to learn and grow freely, like my grandson.
Gratitude, Growth and Learning. Photo by Gabrielle Henderson
I think a growth and learning mindset is crucial when we’re challenged and find ourselves in the throes of change and “the messy middle”. Even if it means we have to emerge from the middle in order to recognize what we’ve learned and how we’ve grown, knowing that we have the ability to work through adversity with an openness to seeing things from a different perspective is going to keep us moving forward.
So, my invitation to you is to take some time with your favorite pen and journal and answer these questions. Write until you have nothing more to say.
Where are you struggling to grow in your life and what’s stopping you?
How can feeling grateful open the doors to expanding your mindset and appreciating the learning process more than the outcome?
What belief is holding you back from learning something new?
As always, if you’d like to ponder these questions or chat with me about where you’re at in your life and where you’d like to be, I’m here.
Thank you for reading.
Joan
P.S. The very first set of Tap and Write Circles were so much fun, filled with learning and growth. If you’d like to learn more check out the Tap and Write Studio HERE.
P.P.S. The best place to keep in touch and learn what’s happening is by becoming a member of the W.I.S.E.R. Woman’s Notebook - at the bottom of the page on my website, join by adding your email address and voila! you’re in!
