Fostering Your Growth Mindset

We all struggle. We all face challenges. We all have imperfections. We all fail. We all go through ebbs and flows through life. All in all, life is not always (or even mostly) easy.

So, when faced with any such difficulty, what do you do? We all have a choice with how we respond to challenges in life. We can stop or quit, put ourselves down, blame others, worry about others perceptions of us, and/or be afraid. We can also focus on the end goal instead of the journey, when what is really important is the journey itself (easier to say and acknowledge than truly believe). These responses to adversity are aspects of what has been described as a fixed mindset.

Is there a better way to traverse through life? Is there a way to move forward with positivity in the face of failure? Is there a way to consider that your journey is unique and that what you face can give you strength and the ability to exhibit resilience? It is easier said than done to embrace change, disappointments, and challenges; but by doing so, the finite time we have can be filled with hope, joy, and the opportunity to "grow" for the better. Such responses to adversity are what resonate when you embrace a growth mindset.

All may go according to your expectations and plan. However, being prepared for an alternate route, a possible "detour" in your journey, is so very important. Fostering your growth mindset with kindness for self, bravery, acceptance, and resilience can guide you toward your desired goals. Shifting the concept of success in your mind from achieving a specific milestone or outcome to the qualities you exhibited along the way can serve as metrics that define your overall personal life success.

As the main residency match week approaches and the current medical school application cycle winds down, the concept and importance of developing a growth mindset is pivotal. Many will succeed in achieving their desired outcomes. But for those who may face disappointment in any form, you have a choice. It is important to consider how you will respond to what may not meet your expectations and if you can do so with a growth mindset. You can choose to accept the current outcome you face and then proceed with courage by considering the obstacle as an opportunity. It can be opportunity to cultivate your talents, an opportunity to be creative, an opportunity to receive help from others and grow your network, and an overall opportunity to grow as a person.

Through the years, I have been very impressed and humbled by the growth mindset of students who have faced disappointments and challenges in their journeys with grace, professionalism, kindness, and strength. At times that may seem the most disheartening and impossible to face, those who have the amazing ability to emanate these qualities are, in my eyes, the true definition of success. Again, life has ups and downs, and it is the "ebbs" that make the "flows" more joyful. Face your ebbs with a positive frame of mind and a growth mindset. When looking back on life, you will be glad you did :).

Wishing everyone a life of growth, resilience, and joy,

Take care and be well,

Sincerely,

Dr. Vora

Medstudentcoach LLC (medstudentcoach.com)

Associate Clinical Professor, Creighton University School of Medicine