From "Not Good Enough" to "Not Yet": Embracing Growth

When Your Mind Holds You Back
Have you ever stopped yourself from trying something new because you thought, “I’m just not good at that”? Maybe it was learning a skill, tackling a project, or stepping outside your comfort zone. This mindset—the belief that your abilities are set in stone—is what Carol Dweck calls a fixed mindset. It whispers, "Don't bother; you're either born with it, or you're not." But what if that belief is the very thing keeping you stuck?

The Power of "Yet"
A growth mindset, on the other hand, says, "Not yet." It’s the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. When you embrace this mindset, challenges become opportunities, and failures become stepping stones. Instead of avoiding what’s hard, you start to see hard things as the path to growth. The difference isn’t just motivational; it’s transformative.

While I was working, I listened to a podcast about commuting, and one of the guests recommended improv. That weekend, I looked up improv classes and found one that worked for me. After the initial high of motivation drained away, doubt crept in. It took me a full week to muster the courage to attend the class. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to improve, and the fear held me back. However, when I finally went, the teacher was very encouraging. They reminded me that starting was a significant step and that improv would help in many aspects of life. Everyone starts somewhere, and little by little, you get better. Now, I enjoy going to class and am beginning to love a challenge.

How You'll Feel When You Shift
Imagine the freedom of no longer defining yourself by what you’re currently capable of. With a growth mindset, every mistake becomes data, every challenge becomes an adventure, and every effort brings you closer to who you want to be. It's not about where you start but how far you can go when you believe you can grow.