May 24, 2019

Fostering a Growth Mindset with Big Life Journal Create Alexandra Eidens

39 minutes

I'm really excited about today's topic. It's something I have spent a lot of time researching and putting into practice. A few years ago, I read a book called Mindset by Carol Dweck. It was about the concept that things like talent or intellect are not fixed. You've probably heard the term "growth mindset" if you've been listening to this podcast. Someone with a growth mindset ultimately believes that they are capable at improving at anything if they work at it. In fact, research in neuroplasticity or the ability to rewire your brain proves that we can not only improve at anything, but actually change how your brain works. Growth mindset is something I often talk about in my keynote speeches. Some examples. People with a fixed mindset tend to give up when they are frustrated, don't like taking on bigger challenges because they are afraid of failure, and tend to not take criticism very well. People with a growth mindset say things like, "I didn't get that result yet, but I just need to keep working at it." They inherently believe that challenges are an opportunity for growth, not proof that they aren't good enough at something. They like to try new things, even if it means they won't be good at it immediately. If you are fascinated by this topic, I highly recommend picking up Dr. Carol Dweck's book, Mindset. So this is where I'm excited to introduce you to our guest today, Alexandra Eidens. I was scrolling through my IG feed about a year ago and an ad for a growth mindset journal popped into my feed. I love stuff like this, but I noticed that it was a journal for children and they also have a journal for teens. Our mindset and lens with how we view failures and success starts when we are young. It is also greatly effected by how we talk to our kids, our friends, and our peers. As a society, we tend to reward the outcome of something - "you got an A on your test, you're so smart!" or "You won your soccer game, you're so athletic." By engaging in this type of feedback, it can create a fixed mindset pathway so that if someone doesn't get an A, it's then proof that they aren't smart. Or if they don't win, then that means they aren't athletic. So instead of rewarding results, we need to give feedback rewarding effort instead. In Alexandra's awesome journal- Big Life Journal, she and her husband wanted to create something so that when kids become stuck in negative self-talk or are paralyzed by rear of failure, they have a resource. The journal provides fun exercises so that kids can develop a growth mindset and learn how to have more confidence. While this journal is designed for kids, I think that this conversation benefits everyone.

Topics Discussed in the Podcast