Let’s be real, ladies—building a business is no walk in the park. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of moments where you’re questioning yourself. I’ve been there, and let me tell you: the one thing that has saved me time and time again is a growth mindset—a concept Carol S. Dweck beautifully breaks down in her book Mindset.

If you haven’t read it yet, let me give you the quick version. A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and skills can be developed through hard work, learning, and persistence. The opposite is a fixed mindset, where you believe your talents and abilities are set in stone. Guess which one leads to growth, resilience, and success? Yep, you guessed it.

Let’s talk about how we can bring a growth mindset into our businesses (and our lives).

Embrace the Power of “Yet”

One of the most transformative ideas in Mindset is the power of the word “yet.” Instead of saying, “I’m not good at sales,” try saying, “I’m not good at sales yet.” See how different that feels?

“Yet” opens the door to possibility. It reminds you that where you are now doesn’t define where you’re going. You’re a work in progress, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Challenges Are Opportunities

When you’re running a business, challenges come at you like confetti at a parade—messy, relentless, and often unexpected. But here’s the thing: challenges aren’t roadblocks; they’re opportunities.

Dweck explains that people with a growth mindset don’t see challenges as threats to their success. They see them as chances to learn, grow, and stretch themselves. The next time something feels too hard, ask yourself, What can I learn from this? How will this make me better?

Failure Isn’t Final

In business, failure is inevitable. A launch doesn’t go as planned. A client ghosts you. A big idea falls flat. It’s easy to feel like these moments define your worth, but Mindset teaches us that failure is just feedback.

It’s not about getting everything right the first time; it’s about learning, adapting, and trying again. Instead of thinking, I failed, try thinking, What did this teach me, and how can I use it to grow? (This one has been huge for me in my journey as a business owner).

Effort Is Everything

Let’s talk about hustle culture for a second. While I’m not here to glorify burnout, I am here to remind you that effort is a powerful thing. Dweck emphasizes that people with a growth mindset value effort over innate talent. They know that success doesn’t come from being naturally good at something—it comes from showing up, putting in the work, and refusing to quit.

So if you’re looking at someone else’s success and thinking, I could never do that, stop right there. You don’t see the late nights, the failed attempts, or the hours of practice that got them there. Effort is the great equalizer.

Feedback Is Your Friend

Let’s be honest—getting feedback can feel hard. Whether it’s from clients, your team, or even your inner circle, it’s easy to take constructive criticism personally. But one of the biggest lessons from Mindset is that feedback isn’t about tearing you down; it’s about building you up.

Dweck encourages us to see feedback as a gift. It’s how you grow, improve, and take your business to the next level. The next time someone offers you constructive criticism, resist the urge to get defensive. Instead, ask yourself, How can I use this to get better?

Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People

Ladies, who you surround yourself with matters. Big time. If you’re constantly around people with a fixed mindset—people who shy away from challenges, fear failure, or stay stuck in their comfort zones—it’s going to be harder for you to embrace growth.

Seek out people who inspire you, challenge you, and cheer you on. Whether it’s a mentor, a mastermind group, or even just a friend who pushes you to dream bigger, these are the people who will help you keep your growth mindset strong.

Growth Isn’t Linear

Here’s the hard truth of personal growth: it isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of twists and turns. There will be moments where you feel stuck or like you’re moving backward, but those moments don’t define your journey. There will be times that you ask yourself, “How am I here again? I thought I had moved past this” and you’ll have to lean in and trust that there’s more to be learned and more growth to be gained.

Dweck’s research reminds us that setbacks are normal and even necessary for growth. Give yourself grace, trust the process, and know that every step—even the hard ones—are part of your story.

You Are Not Your Business

One of my favorite takeaways from Mindset is the reminder that your worth isn’t tied to your achievements. As women, it’s easy to fall into the trap of equating our success with our value, but you are so much more than your business.

Your growth mindset isn’t just about building a thriving business; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. It’s about showing up for your dreams, learning from your failures, and never settling for less than you deserve.

Final Thoughts

So here’s my challenge to you: the next time something feels hard—whether it’s launching a new product, navigating a setback, or stepping outside your comfort zone—lean into it. Remember that every challenge, every failure, and every moment of effort is an opportunity to grow.

You are capable of incredible things. And with a growth mindset, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Warmly,
Kendra