Growing Pains: Embracing a Growth Mindset When You’re Stuck

Justin Lyons
3 days ago
2 min read

We all hit walls — moments where we feel stuck, drained, or convinced we’ve reached our limit. But here’s the truth: being “stuck” isn’t a dead end, it’s an invitation to grow.

A growth mindset isn’t about being endlessly positive or brushing off mistakes. It’s about seeing challenges for what they really are — stepping stones toward progress.

Think of it this way: failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s data. It’s feedback. It’s the messy part of learning that builds resilience and equips you to handle bigger challenges down the road.

Core Shifts to Practice

Add “yet.” Instead of saying “I can’t do this”, say “I can’t do this…yet.” That single word rewires your brain to expect progress instead of finality.

Praise the process, not just the product. Celebrate effort, persistence, and courage — not only achievements.

Seek feedback early. Feedback doesn’t define you; it informs you. Every note you receive is a breadcrumb leading to growth.

Daily Practices to Build Your Growth Mindset

Mistake Mapping: After a setback, jot down what happened, what you learned, and one small next step.

Beginner’s Log: Try a new skill for 15 minutes a day and track your progress.

Growth Buddies: Partner with a peer and swap one insight or lesson learned each week.

Why This Works (The Science Made Simple)

Your brain is constantly changing through neuroplasticity. Every time you push yourself to try again after a failure, you’re building new neural pathways. Small, repeated exposures to difficulty actually grow your tolerance, confidence, and skill over time.

Try This 7-Day “Yet” Challenge

This week, every time you hear yourself saying “I can’t”, add “yet.” Then, write down one small step that would move you forward.

By Day 7, you’ll notice how this tiny linguistic shift changes your confidence and perspective.

Reflective Questions

What’s one limiting story I keep telling myself?

How can I reframe my next setback as an experiment instead of a failure?

Ready to transform mistakes into momentum?

Book a growth mindset coaching session at www.specialconnectsllc.com. Together, we’ll design practical strategies that turn setbacks into stepping stones — helping you strengthen resilience, expand curiosity, and achieve the goals you thought were out of reach.