Growth Mindset an Equalizer for Success

“Talent isn’t passed down in the genes; its passed out in the mindset” Carol Dweck

We have all heard success stories from prominent persons and leaders in the business sphere in our country and our global village.  The same stories applies to sports and athletics. Kenya is known globally for athletes. Most of this individual participating in the competition did not just make it to their levels of success due to talent, but the effort and time taken in training and stretching beyond limits. Julius Yego, the javelin champion gained his prowess through self learning and watching videos on YouTube. It would be fallacious to conclude that it is only Kalenjins who make the best athletes. Hellen Obiri is not, yet she has flew our flag high in global athletic competition. This depicts an open mindset that is ingrained in Growth Mindset, and yes, talent cannot be passed in the genes but through mindset of needed efforts to excel and exceed your own expectations

One of the leading Kenyan business mogul, Chris Kirubi made it to where he is now through learning, commitment, perseverance, hard work and above all great efforts, even after being orphaned at a younger age. By beating all odds, he rose above poverty, helping his siblings and staying focused of what difference he aimed to make. Most orphans will feel like the world has come to a halt when they lose their parents.

This and many more stories of almost a near despair, are talks of what efforts can bring out of a proper mindset and most importantly a Growth Mindset. A mentality of infinite opportunities. One that has limitless horizon, one that you can only be your impediment if you fail to stretch it more and more towards your goals.

Universities are churning thousands of graduates to the thinning job market with few job opportunities to be offered. A Growth Mindset is able to offer a level ground to all this fresh graduates struggling and unaware of what is awaiting them in the job market to at least get themselves in some engagements that can add value to them by experience and gaining relevant skills. Some risk takers end up starting their own ventures and still excel from the efforts because with GRIT (Greatness Requires Internal Toughness), they can only be tough on their efforts to break their ceiling.

“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Kevin Durant

A Growth Mindset goes hand-in-hand with the willingness to learn, if you hunger for new knowledge and learn new skills, you will be able to be atop of your peers in getting new opportunities. The ability to venture into unknown spheres and learning along the way is what we should be able to teach ourselves, our peers and people around us. Uready self learning portal attest to the mental transformation that comes with the ability of wearing the growth mindset towards success.

For Generation Y and Millennial, most inventions and technological advancements have made things easy. Willingness to learn implies to your ability to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Things that will add value and move you a step forward to your success. It is the effort you put and continually do, which is now perseverance that your goals become achievable.

To wrap it up, an individual can learn anything anywhere and implement it at the comfort of their surrounding. Daring to start and committing to gradually improve is the stamina needed to achieve the success we all have wished for and this boils down to a Growth Mindset and Effort. A Growth Mindset does not focus on failures, it assesses the failure, learns and perfects going forward. It does not concern itself much with it but rather worries less about it. This way you are able to focus your optimism towards your goals.  Everyone can adapt to a growth mindset through interactions, reading and learning about other people’s story. As for myself, Bridge Africa has made it easy for many youths to gain an opportunity to propel their dreams forward.