Everyone messes up sometimes—adults, experts, children, and even “perfect” people. Some of you might not have hit your academic targets or savings goals. But how you’ll deal with that setback depends on your mental guidebook—how you see things.

Some people see failure as a problem, but others see it as a chance to grow. And, since everyone messes up at some point, what should you do when you don’t hit your success goals? Simple: adopt a growth mindset. But what does a growth mindset mean?

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is a mindset that believes it can get better even in the face of failure. It’s all about believing that you can get better at anything if you put in the effort and don’t give up. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” you say, “I can’t do this yet.” See what we did there? The word “yet” is your growth mindset!

On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the mindset that throws in the towel when things get tough, saying, “No, I can’t do this.”

How Can You Build a Growth Mindset?

Embrace Challenges

Imagine challenges as exciting quests. When things get hard, don’t give up! Focus on what you stand to gain if you overcome the challenge.

Learn from Mistakes

Mistakes are experiments. They help you figure out what works and what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to make them. So, what should you do when you don’t hit your success goals? Remember that mistakes are part of the learning process. Only ensure you get better after every mistake.

Effort is Key

Imagine you’re planting a seed. To help it grow into a mighty tree, you water it, right? Same with your abilities—give them the water of effort. Keep trying hard and smart, and watch your abilities grow tall and strong.

Use the Power of ‘Yet’

Remember that word “yet” we used earlier? It changes the whole game. When faced with a challenge, say, “I can’t do it yet.” This simple word makes you see obstacles as exciting opportunities. So even if you can’t do it yet, you will do it eventually.

Let’s say there’s this particular equation in math that has been quite a challenge. Don’t say, “I can’t solve this.” Say, “I can’t solve this yet, but I’ll learn how to do it.” Then you can watch video lessons or join Live Lessons on the uLesson app to simplify those complex concepts in mathematics or any other subject.

Learn from Others

Think of others as friendly guides on your learning journey. If someone does something awesome, don’t get jealous; get inspired! Ask questions and learn from them.

Now, you know what you should do when you miss your success goals! Keep in mind that your mindset shapes your academics, how you see yourself, and how you see life. So intentionally develop a growth mindset with these helpful tips. Always remember that you can be who you want to be if you put your mind to it.

Here’s to building a growth mindset and being amazing! 💪