Episode 201: Three Ways to Build a Growth Mindset This is the Mindset for Life podcast, a place for personal stories, coaching, neuroscience and my favorite positive psychology tools to master life, relationships and work. I'm your host. Bethanie Hansen. Read on for an episode summary, action items from the episode, and coaching tips. A transcript is available in the podcast player tool. And, if today is the right time for you to work with a coach, the contact form is available on this page. Episode Summary: In this podcast episode, Bethanie Hansen shares the concept of a growth mindset, a powerful approach to personal and professional transformation. Unlike a fixed mindset that limits potential, a growth mindset empowers individuals to view challenges as opportunities for learning and development. Through a personal story about overcoming public speaking anxiety, Bethanie discusses how shifting mental perspectives can unlock strength and build resilience. Rooted in neuroscience, the growth mindset leverages brain plasticity to demonstrate that intelligence and abilities are not fixed, but can be continuously improved through dedicated effort and persistent learning. The episode offers three practical positive psychology exercises: reframing negative self-talk, embracing the power of "yet," and setting learning-oriented goals. These strategies provide listeners with actionable tools to cultivate a more adaptive and optimistic approach to personal challenges. The podcast highlights significant benefits of adopting a growth mindset, including reduced anxiety, enhanced creativity, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose. By encouraging listeners to view mistakes as part of the learning process rather than failures, it gives a roadmap for continuous self-improvement. The message is clear: personal growth is a journey of small, consistent actions that compound over time, ultimately helping individuals become their best selves and unlock their full potential. Actions to Try It Out Ready to Transform Your Mindset? Here Are Your Growth Challenges! Let's get real - developing a growth mindset isn't just theory, it's about taking action. I've got three powerful challenges for you this week: Challenge #1: Reframe Your Self-Talk. Catch yourself when negative thoughts pop up. Instead of saying "I'm terrible at this," try "I'm learning how to get better at this." Sounds simple, right? But it's a total game-changer. Challenge #2: Embrace the Power of "Yet." Add "yet" to any statement that sounds like a limitation. "I can't public speak" becomes "I can't public speak yet." Feel the difference? You're now acknowledging potential, not defeat. Challenge #3: Set a Learning Goal. Pick one skill you want to improve. But here's the twist - focus on the learning process, not just the end result. Want to improve presentations? Your goal might be "Explore three new public speaking techniques this month" instead of "Give a perfect presentation." Bonus Challenge: Journal Your Journey. Spend 5 minutes each evening reflecting on what you learned that day. Where did you step out of your comfort zone? What surprised you? Remember, this isn't about perfection. It's about progress. Which challenge speaks to you? Pick one, commit to it, and watch how your mindset starts to shift. You've got this! Ready for Your Own Coach? ----- This episode's theme song is "Take It Up A Level" by Bethanie Hansen and SUNO AI. Used with Permission. Like what you read here? In this podcast, I’m sharing some core principles I’ve learned in coaching that have completely changed my life. And I share them in workshops with my clients. With a personal coach, you can take it deeper, to make these changes a lasting part of your life. You can figure out where to start and how to get the changes you really want.