Growth Mindset: Biology

For the last week of growth mindset, I decided to read an interesting article called The Biology of Positive Habits by Leah Shafer and Iman Rastegari. ONCE AGAIN, I came across more evidence that your brain can be rewired!! I keep seeing this idea but I don't understand why more people don't realize this. Everyone thinks that they are a certain way and that's it but we can become whatever we want - science says so! You can train your brain to be more positive and here are some ways that the article highlights:

1. savor the moment
2. look for beauty in the smallest things
3. see the best in others
4. exercise
5. be mindful

Even if you aren't necessarily trying to "change your brain," I think these are good habits for everyone to get into!

Positivity. Source: The Chatham Group.

Growth Mindset: Good Stress vs. Bad Stress

For this week's Growth Mindset post, I decided to learn more about growth mindset by reading an article called How Harnessing the Positive Side of Stress Can Change Student Mindsets by Katrina Schwartz. I thought this article was especially relevant with finals and therefore so much stress just around the corner! This article mentions how much easier it is to cope with stress, or anything for that matter, after realizing just how malleable the mind is. Once you realize that you are in control of your mind, everything else comes much easier. I have discussed this idea a lot this semester. I think it is a revolutionary idea that can change anyone's life from the inside out. And indeed, it is important to recognize that there is a difference between good stress and bad stress. Stress has such a negative connotation but if it didn't exist, the world wouldn't go round. It is as simple as the stress to feed your dog - that needs to be there or else who knows if we would even feel that that was a priority. Stress can be motivation - we just need to learn how to turn it into good fuel.

Good Stress vs. Bad Stress. Source: SlideShare.

Growth Mindset Challenge

Almost weekly for this entire semester, I have dedicated time to a post about Growth Mindset. This is an opportunity that I have thoroughly enjoyed, especially as a strong advocate that we can change ourselves by changing our mind. Everything that I have read tells of just how incredibly malleable the human brain is. We have infinite potential to become whatever we want to become through our mind. Whatever you believe in or whatever method you use I believe can affect you in real ways whether it be through the music you listen to or through meditation. Even the Bible says through God and prayer, you can regenerate and renew your mind. This is similar to the practice of manifestation, which says that through repetition and concentration on a mantra or goal, you will eventually reach that goal or at least have a much better chance of reaching that goal. Anyway, I have been writing about Growth Mindset and although I have learned a ton, I never really understood what it was all about, so in one of my final Growth Mindset posts I thought it would be beneficial for both my readers and myself to include this very helpful diagram:

Growth Mindset. Source: GrowthMindsetMemes.blogspot.com.

Growth Mindset: Resiliency

For this week's Growth Mindset challenge, I read an article from The New Yorker called How People Learn to Become Resilient by Maria Konnikova. One reason I believe that resiliency is so important is because of its role in emotional intelligence. According to Management by Angelo Kinicki, emotional intelligence is "the ability to monitor your and others' feelings and to use this information to guide your thinking and actions." Furthermore, recent research shows that those with high emotional intelligence are more likely to be associated with:

1. Better social relations for children and adults
2. Better family and intimate relationships
3. Being perceived more positively by others
4. Better academic achievement
5. Better psychological well-being 

All of these byproducts of high emotional intelligence are traits that employers look for in their employees, because, to name a few reasons, with these traits you are more likely to get along with your fellow employees and also because if you are not distracted by your emotions, you can work more efficiently. Resiliency plays a huge part in emotional intelligence because if something negative does happen to you, it is important to be able to bounce back quickly and not let your emotions get the best of you.

Perception is key to resiliency. Source: The New Yorker. 

How do you perceive everything that happens to you? As my mother always says, you can look at your glass half empty or half full.

Growth Mindsest Challenge

For this week's Growth Mindset Challenge, I chose to evaluate schools for growth. One program that the University of Oklahoma offers that I just recently discovered is the Design Your Own Major. I think it is great that individuals can choose between multidisciplinary studies or the planned program in order to get exactly what they want from their education. It is true that not every person will fit the mold of the typical student and therefore they shouldn't be required to try to fit the standardized education standards of that same person. You can read about it more at the University's website here. I also included an image that I think depicts these ideas well:

Source: Pinterest.

Growth Mindset: Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

I was very intrigued by Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. It seems like everyone would be great in at least one aspect of these intelligences, which makes everyone unique and special and important. I think it would be very beneficial if people were familiarized with these multiple intelligences. For example, I am good at caring for others but I am not so good at drumming. I think this class can make me better at reflection. What are your strengths?

Source: Growth Mindset Memes

Growth Mindset: Growth Beyond School

I am very interested in nutrition and fitness, which is one reason I am pursuing my Yoga Teacher Certification. Although it has become extremely difficult to make time for these two interests especially this semester as I am taking 18 hours. I hate it that I have to set aside my interests especially ones that are so beneficial to my health but there is only so much time in a day. I am already looking forward to this summer when I will (hopefully) have more "me" time to enhance my knowledge beyond school. Being in tune with my nutrition and fitness also allows me to be the best I can be! There is such a difference in my energy levels, attitude, and overall life when I can keep these in check.

Me Time Meme. Source: Meme Generator.

Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset

Although I didn’t recognize her name at first, I realized instantly that I have previously seen this TED Talk. Carol Dweck has so many great ideas! I actually feel that we have used growth mindset in Epics of India already. For me, the retelling of the story was challenging. I wouldn’t say that creative writing is my forte. Still, I enjoyed the assignment and challenge. 

Source: Twitter

As Carol Dweck mentions in “Make Challenge the New Comfort Zone”, it’s true that often we fret over challenges and hardships when we should be grateful for them! Yoga has especially helped me to train my mind to be grateful for challenges. 

One of my favorite books is Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf, who believes that by changing your mindset you can change your outcome. 

Source: Pixabay

Dr. Leaf's research is there: Positive thinking leads to growth, while negative thinking hinders growth. This idea is revolutionary and hopeful! I am definitely interested in learning more about the growth mindset this semester.