What is an example of growth mindset?

The power of 'yet': 'I can't do this' becomes 'I can't do this yet' — one word turns a wall into a stage.

Where do you see growth mindset in everyday life?

The power of 'yet'; Praising effort, not talent; Failure as data; Wanting feedback; Choosing the harder problem.

Add the word "yet" to "I can't do this" — it reframes a verdict as a stage in a process.

Mindset · Carol Dweck

Curated by Paulo de Vries · reviewed 2026-05-30

A growth mindset is believing ability grows with effort — not that you're simply 'good' or 'bad' at something for good. Examples:

The power of 'yet'
'I can't do this' becomes 'I can't do this yet' — one word turns a wall into a stage.
Praising effort, not talent
'You worked hard' builds persistence; 'you're so smart' quietly teaches kids to avoid anything they might fail.
Failure as data
A setback becomes 'what do I adjust?' instead of 'I'm just not cut out for this.'
Wanting feedback
Growth-minded people seek the critique that fixed-minded people dodge.
Choosing the harder problem
Picking the task you might fail at, because that's exactly where the learning lives.

Add the word "yet" to "I can't do this" — it reframes a verdict as a stage in a process.
Treat mistakes as data about your method, not your worth; ask "what did this teach me?" instead of "what does this say about me?"
Praise effort and strategy (in yourself and others) rather than talent — it keeps the focus on what can actually improve.

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