The Trick to Develop a Growth Mindset

“It’s our time down here” Don’t recognize that quote? I’ll give you an easier hint:“Goonies never say die!” 

The Goonies has got to be one of my favorite movies ever! It’s filled with adventure, danger, and hidden treasures. That was little Will’s biggest dream back in 1985. While I do still love the thrill of it all, what I love about The Goonies now is what it can teach us.

Haven’t seen it? First off, get as far away from me as possible (kidding, kidding). The movie follows a group of kids who find an old treasure map in the attic of their house—which they are about to lose thanks to a developing company attempting to replace it with a country club.

The kids follow the map and encounter booby traps and other dangers to find a forgotten pirate ship. They also end up meeting a character named Sloth, who teaches you not to judge a book by its cover. 

This movie is an absolute classic for lots of reasons—it includes pirates, a cool group of characters, and an unforgettable adventure. But what truly makes it great is that the kids believe in the unbelievable. 

They chase after a relic in hopes of finding gold and discover impossible wonder, but they never stop believing. 

They believe that by setting a goal, they can reach it regardless of any hurdles in their path. They know how to develop a growth mindset because they already have. The adults in the film don’t believe anymore, but the kids have the ability to use their mindset to push through to find the truth. 

Maybe we all just need to start doing the truffle shuffle, just like Chunk. If we do that, maybe we can begin to understand just how to develop a growth mindset. 

Just like in The Goonies, adults in our world have lost their spark. 

Because they’ve grown up, they’ve stopped believing that they can influence the impossible. Kids have that belief naturally. My son, Wyatt, is one of those kids. He’s only a toddler, but he’s definitely not giving in to victim culture. 

Though he’s never had to learn how to develop a growth mindset, he’s got it downpat. He goes through his days just living happily. He strives to find joy and sets small goals without even considering it, like not walking on cracks in the sidewalk or playing with a toy. He doesn’t lay around worrying about how or when to do things. He just does them. 

So, Are You Ready To Learn How To Develop a Growth Mindset?

It’s hard sometimes as an adult to feel some of that magic you felt when you were a kid. But, just like The Goonies, you can go from being stuck as victims of the universe to having a growth-owner mindset.

We go through life trying to fit in with society. Our friends, family, coworkers, and so many others all affect the way we live our lives. But, just like some of us, they’ve lost touch with their growth mindsets. 

They aren’t trying to keep you in a victim loop, but those mindsets can seep into your own easily when you’ve lost the sparkle you felt as a kid. So, how do you remove that cycle of doubt and disbelief to learn how to develop a growth mindset?

You can start with some advice from one of the best growth-owners I know: Wyatt. He gets excited with every little accomplishment he has. So, what if someone says: “Don’t touch that toy” or “stay off the sidewalk”? 

Seems plausible right? We’ve been denied our wants all the time in life, and we may have even done the denying every here and then (I know I have). I’ve learned that instead of having a negative outlook, I can use it as a tool for learning how to develop a growth mindset. By immediately scolding him for exploring, I’ll make him lose that wonder that is key to his success. 

Instead of making him feel bad for following an instinct to try new things, I can uplift him. If I don’t want him to go on a certain adventure, I can cut in and negotiate. If I didn’t want him to play with a specific toy for example:

“Hey buddy, right now it isn’t playtime. We’ll play after dinner.” 

By saying this instead of shutting him down, he is assured and unafraid to take new chances. This is imperative when knowing how to develop a growth mindset. 

The difference between “absolutely not” and “not right this second” is small, but extremely meaningful. Wyatt can continue to make the impossible possible, just like The Goonies. 

Sure, I hear what you’re saying—”How does this help me, Will, I’m not a child.” Well, you’ve been told “no” so many times in life that you’ve developed a doubtful mentality. You are capable of knowing how to develop a growth mindset, it’s all up to you. 

It starts with breaking your fixed-victim mindset, pushing through to be the growth-owner you’ve always wanted to be—just like little Wyatt. 

Need Another Helpful Tip?

One way to start your mission with how to develop a growth mindset is to come up with 3 things you enjoyed when you were little. Especially if those things made you feel special or accomplished in some way. 

It’s not always easy to build up success habits. Much like setting up dominoes, you can’t always see the big picture until it’s complete. But those small goals you’re making for yourself add up to aid you in your growth journey leading to success and happiness. By doing this, you’ll know how to develop a growth mindset in no time! 

Are You Ready To Do The Truffle Shuffle? 

Want to know where you stand in the five values of life tied to happiness (Your 5 Cores), take this two minute Core Values Quiz to get your core score in the five values of life.