Article

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself” – George Bernard Shaw 

Over my decades of experience, helping students and young professionals as a life coach, I have noticed one thing that truly separates those who achieve their dreams from those who don't: their mindset. Today, I'm sharing three practical, evidence-based strategies from the ‘M POVER’ Inner Advantage that can help you develop a growth mindset – a way of thinking that embraces challenges and helps you reach your full potential. 

How Your Brain Can Change (And Why That Matters) 

Here's something amazing about your brain: it can physically change and grow throughout your life. Scientists call this "neuroplasticity." Just like working out builds muscle, thinking in new ways creates new connections in your brain. When you practice better thought patterns, you're actually rewiring your brain for success! 

The strategies I'm sharing come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the underpinning principle in my ‘M Pover’ Inner Advatage Coaching program which has been proven to improve not just mental health, but also performance in school, work, and life goals. 

Strategy #1: Challenge Your Inner Critic 

We all have that voice in our head that says things like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll probably fail at this." The first step to building a growth mindset is learning to challenge that inner critic. 

Why It Works: 

It's not what happens to us that determines how we feel – it's how we think about what happens. By changing those thoughts, we create new pathways in our brain that support growth instead of holding us back. 

Try This: 

• Catch negative thoughts: Take 5 minutes each day to write down thoughts that limit you. Just noticing them weakens their power over you. 

• Find the evidence: When you think "I never succeed," ask yourself: "Is that really true?" Write down times when you did succeed, even in small ways. 

• Add "yet": Transform "I can't do this" into "I can't do this yet." This simple word reminds your brain that growth is possible. 

I remember working with Maya, a college student who constantly thought, "I don't belong in this program." We practiced these techniques daily. She started writing down evidence that contradicted this belief – good grades on assignments, positive feedback from professors. Within a semester, she not only improved her grades by nearly 30% but also applied for (and got!) an internship she previously thought was out of her reach. The change in her confidence was remarkable. 

Strategy #2: Act As If You Already Have a Growth Mindset 

Sometimes the best way to change your thinking isn't to wait until you feel ready – it's to start acting differently right now. 

Why It Works: 

Research shows it takes about 66 days of consistent practice to form a new habit. But here's the good news: you don't need to change your mindset before taking action. Taking action can actually change your mindset! 

Try This: 

• The 5-Minute Start: When you're avoiding something challenging, just commit to doing it for 5 minutes. Once you start, continuing becomes much easier. 

• Do one uncomfortable thing each week: Choose something small that pushes your comfort zone. Each time you do this, you teach your brain that challenges lead to growth. 

• Picture your success: Spend 3 minutes each morning imagining yourself successfully handling challenges. Your brain doesn't always distinguish between vivid imagination and reality! 

Raj, a young marketing professional I coached, used this approach to overcome his fear of public speaking. Instead of waiting until he "felt confident," he volunteered for small speaking opportunities every week. At first, he was terrified, but he committed to just getting through each 5-minute presentation. Six months later, he was confidently leading major client presentations and even received a promotion. "I didn't wait to feel ready," he told me. "I just started doing it, and the confidence followed." 

Strategy #3: Watch Your Thoughts Like a Friendly Observer 

The third strategy is about developing the ability to notice your thoughts without getting swept away by them. 

Why It Works: 

When you can observe your thoughts rather than immediately believing or acting on them, you gain the power to choose which ones serve you. This skill helps you respond thoughtfully to situations instead of reacting automatically. 

Try This: 

• Name your thoughts: When unhelpful thoughts appear, simply label them: "That's my worry talking" or "There's my fear of failure again." This creates space between you and the thought. 

• Wait 90 seconds: Scientists have discovered that the chemical rush from emotions like fear typically lasts about 90 seconds. Try observing uncomfortable feelings for this short time without acting on them. 

• Evening reflection: Before bed, ask yourself: "What did I learn today? How did I grow?" This simple practice trains your brain to look for growth opportunities. 

Priya, a pre-med student, used this approach to transform her relationship with academic setbacks. After receiving a disappointing grade, her usual response was to spiral into thoughts like "I'm not smart enough for medical school." Through our work together, she learned to observe these thoughts instead of believing them automatically. "I notice I'm feeling disappointed about this grade," she'd say to herself. "But this feedback shows exactly what I need to work on." With practice, her resilience grew tremendously. Not only did she graduate with honors, but she also developed a calm confidence that served her well in med school interviews. 

While these strategies are powerful on their own, having someone in your corner can accelerate your progress dramatically. Think about any world-class athlete or performer – they all have coaches who help them see their blind spots and reach their potential. 

As someone who has guided thousands of students and young professionals over decades, I've seen how personalized coaching creates breakthroughs that would take years to achieve alone. A good coach helps you apply these strategies to your unique situation, holds you accountable, and celebrates your wins along the way. 

Your Turn to Grow 

Start small. Choose just one strategy from this article and try it this week. Notice how even tiny shifts in your thinking can create ripples of positive change in your actions and results. 

Remember, developing a growth mindset isn't about pretending challenges don't exist. It's about facing those challenges with curiosity, persistence, and the deep belief that you can develop your abilities through dedicated effort and smart strategies. 

Your potential isn't set in stone – it's waiting to be unlocked by the right mindset. I believe in you. Are you ready to rewire your brain for success? 

Ready to transform your mindset and achieve the results you've always wanted? I'm offering a free 30-minute strategy session to help you apply these techniques to your specific goals. Spots are limited each month, so reach out today to begin your journey to extraordinary growth! 

Book your strategy call here   -   https://tr.ee/uOZedNt9BA 

About the Author

Dr. Nagamani Krishnamurthy is an educator who started her journey as a chemistry teacher 34 years ago. Since then, she moved on to become a teacher, trainer, coach, researcher, and early childhood educator, but at every stage, she retained the underpinning principle of education as a process of nurturing children's EQ and empowering them to be equipped with skills to deal with challenges at every stage of life. She has designed a unique early years curriculum strategy, Balavikasa's L.E.A.D., which weaves human values and 21st century skills into child development.