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What Is a Growth Mindset? The one thing all books on learning agree on is the value of adopting a growth mindset .
What is a growth mindset ? A growth mindset rejects the claim that abilities are innate and largely fixed. Instead, as Carol Dweck explains in her eponymous book , a growth mindset is the belief that all abilities are trainable. That nothing is fixed . That we can change everything from intelligence to creativity to athleticism (and even our characters ) through persistent and adaptive effort .
Why is such a simple idea so important ? Because, as Matthew Syed reminds us , “the path to excellence could not be more difficult. It is steep, gruelling, and arduous. It is inordinately lengthy. And, most importantly of all, it forces voyagers to stumble and fall on every single stretch of the journey. ” All of us may travel this path. But doing so demands more than just expecting failure. It demands we embrace it. Excellence demands nothing less than a growth mindset .
You’ll find many growth mindset quotes to remind you of this truth. The 21 below are among my favourite. I chose them because they remind me to get started, embrace failure, persevere and never stop taking action . I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Good luck and remember, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. ” – Babe Ruth .
My 21 Top Growth Mindset Quotes 1. Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible!” Audrey Hepburn was an actress, model, dancer and humanitarian who forged her resilience as a child of the Second World War. This quote reminds us that “impossible” is just a label for things we just don’t know how to do yet.
2. It is hard to fail. But it is worse never to… Theodore Roosevelt overcame a sickly childhood to embrace a famously active lifestyle and the 26th presidency of the United States. This growth mindset quote is one of many (including one of my favourite passages of all time) that captures his proactive approach to adversity.
3. I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t… Michael Jordan is the NBA’s “greatest basketball player of all time”. A master of learning from every mistake, his growth-oriented attitude to failure was immortalised in the legendary “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career ” Nike commercial.
4. If you don’t give anything don’t expect anything. Success is not… Marva Collins was an educator who dedicated her life to fighting inequality, the talent myth and the inadequacies of public schooling. This quote is a reminder that the only person responsible for your life is you. If you want it, go and get it.
5. Work hard now. Don’t wait. If you work hard enough you’ll… Shaquille O’Neal is an NBA great – famous as much for his relentless growth mindset on the court as off of it. This quote reminds us to buckle down, trust the process and remember – the best time to start isn’t later, it’s now.
6. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the… Mark Twain was a writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer once hailed as “the father of American literature”. This growth mindset quote reminds us that, in the face of death, the only real failure in life is regret.
7. Don’t be too squeamish or timid about your actions. All life… Ralph Waldo Emerson was an essayist, lecturer, philosopher, poet and champion of individualism. The quote is a great reminder to approach life with the playfulness and detachment of a (mad) scientist. Because…
8. There’s no such thing as failure. Only results. Tony Robbins is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and life coach famous for his “can-do” attitude and philosophies. This growth mindset quote reminds us that the value in every failure is the lesson that brings us one step nearer success.
9. I like criticism. It makes you strong. LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. This growth mindset quote reminds us that criticism isn’t a weapon, it’s a gift. When given to wound, it trains resilience. When given to help, there’s nothing more valuable to growth.
10. Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time…. JK Rowling is best known for Harry Potter – the series famously rejected by 12 publishers before becoming an international sensation. This quote on mindset reminds us not only that failure is a pivotal ingredient in success, but that learning to embrace it is a skill – one all of us can master.
11. It’s not that I’m so smart. It’s just that I stay… Albert Einstein overturned centuries of conventional wisdom to co-found modern theoretical physics. This growth mindset quote, among many , exemplifies the mindset that transformed him into one of the greatest thinkers of modern history.
12. Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying,… Pelé is a retired soccer player regarded by many as “the greatest footballer of all time”. This quote on mindset reminds us that excellence in any endeavour means having the passion and patience to collect thousands of compounding marginal gains.
13. An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes… Niels Bohr was a Nobel-Prize-winning physicist who transformed our understanding of atomic theory and quantum physics. His secret? Realising that excellence isn’t about learning all the right ways to do something. It’s about learning to avoid all the wrong ones.
14. Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. Dr. Samuel Johnson was a scholar whose Dictionary of the English Language was an astounding work with far-reaching far reaching effects on Modern English. This growth mindset quote reminds us that humanity’s greatest achievements weren’t built in minutes or days, but in years, decades and centuries.
15. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished… Dale Carnegie was a writer and self-improvement guru whose How To Win Friends And Influence People is among the best selling books of all time. This quote reminds us that the path to success isn’t linear and that whatever you’re looking for might be just around the next corner.
16. Success is the ability to go from one failure to another… Winston Churchill was a politician and writer whose courage, leadership and persistence was pivotal to Allied victory in the Second World War. This quote reminds us that a growth mindset isn’t just about What we do about failure, but also How we go about doing it.
17. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way… Thomas Edison was a businessman and quite possibly America’s greatest inventor. His secret? Dogged persistence. “I haven’t failed.” he once observed in his pursuit of the lightbulb, “I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
18. Love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on… Carol Dweck is a psychology professor who has done more than anyone to popularise the importance of mindset . This quote perfectly captures the traits of a growth mindset and the attitude needed to chase excellence in any field.
19. Look for the good in every situation. Seek the valuable lesson… Brian Tracy is one of today’s most powerful motivational speakers and self-development authors. (Still curious? Check out this summary of his excellent book, Eat That Frog! ) This quote perfectly captures Brian’s growth-oriented philosophy and the qualities of an ever-improving optimist.
20. Either find a way or make one! Hannibal was a Carthaginian general who is considered as one of the greatest military strategists in history. Though his conquests threatened the very foundations of modern Europe, his brilliance and persistence are unquestionable.
21. Every endeavour pursued with passion produces a successful outcome regardless of… Nick Bollettieri is the legendary coach of many of modern tennis’s greatest players. His secret? Let go of outcomes, enjoy the process, see your mistakes as valuable miss-takes and take action where others would flounder – a textbook example of growth mindset to finish.
BONUS: Even MORE Growth Mindset Quotes Feeling inspired yet? If the growth mindset quotes above weren’t enough, here are some more quotes on perseverance, resilience, and persistence that will train your mindset to keep growing.
22. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Winston Churchill was right to note that your attitude has a huge impact on how you face life. Having the right one makes it easier to grow and adapt.
23. The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as… Enid Blyton ‘s advice on how to face obstacles is clear. The best persistence quotes remind you to use obstacles to your advantage, not as excuses that hinder your growth.
24. Always do what you are afraid of doing. Ralph Waldo Emerson was an essayist, lecturer, philosopher, poet and champion of individualism. This quote is about pushing boundaries. Real growth means overcoming things that we once feared.
25. A truly strong person does not need the approval of others… Vernon Howard was an American spiritual teacher, author, and philosopher. This quote explains that there is strength in realizing that other people’s opinions of you are irrelevant.
26. Believe you can and you are halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt overcame a sickly childhood to embrace a famously active lifestyle and the 26th presidency of the United States. This quote emphasizes the power of believing in yourself. Adopt a positive mindset and set out to accomplish your goals.
27. Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes…
28. We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes… Carol Dweck is a psychology professor who has done more than anyone to popularise the importance of mindset. This quote talks about our tendency to put our idols on pedestals and forget that we’re all are capable of great things.
29. Dreams don’t work unless you do. John C. Maxwell is a pastor, author, and inspirational speaker with a passion for leadership. This quote reminds us that dreams remain in our heads until we do something about them. A growth mindset is active. It’s not something you just think about.
30. All things are difficult before they are easy. Thomas Fuller was a prolific author, churchman, and historian. This quote exemplifies the value of “practice makes perfect”. Keep at it even if it is difficult. With enough experience, what once felt impossible will come naturally.
31. Important achievements require a clear focus, all-out effort, and a bottomless… Carol Dweck is a psychology professor who has done more than anyone to popularise the importance of mindset . This quote points out that to achieve more you need to get more: more focus, more effort, more planning and more allies.
32. Just because you haven’t found your talent yet doesn’t mean you… Kermit the Frog is a beloved Muppet and is known for quite a number of wise quotes. This one about talent explains that just because you haven’t found something you’re good at, it doesn’t mean you’re not good at something. Everyone is special, and you just have to find your own place in the sun.
33. It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up. Babe Ruth was an American professional baseball player whose record breaking career spanned over 22 seasons. This quote states that a person with perseverance is unbeatable. You’re only beaten when you stop trying.
34. If you find a path with no obstacles it probably doesn’t… Frank Clark was an American lawyer and politician whose career in public service spanned over 50 years. This growth mindset quote explains that taking the path of least resistance is not ideal. Challenges create opportunities for growth.
35. The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude… Captain Jack Sparrow is the beloved protagonist of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. He is known for his quick wit and daring attitude. This quote highlights the fact that sometimes, the real issue is not the problem itself but how you approach it. The obstacle IS the way!
36. If you quit once it becomes a habit. Don’t quit. Michael Jordan is the NBA’s “greatest basketball player of all time”. This quote exemplifies his work ethic. Quitting is not a habit you want to acquire.
37. Success is not an accident. Success is a choice. Stephen Curry is an NBA All-Star who many have called the greatest shooter in NBA history. This quote explains that you don’t succeed accidentally. You chose to do the work and take the steps necessary to succeed.
38. If people knew how hard I had to work to gain… Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet whose work helped define the Renaissance. This quote clarifies that mastery and hard work go hand in hand. You become immortalized in history because you do the work, every day, and you keep at it until you master it.
39. There is no elevator to success. You have to take the… Zig Ziglar was a prolific self help author, salesman, and motivational speaker. This quote explains that there are no shortcuts to success. Do your work and take the stairs to reach the top.
40. To live a creative life we must lose our fear of… Joseph Chilton Pearce was an American author best known for his work on child development. This quote explains that the fear of being wrong is often a detriment to real growth. Let go and allow yourself to be wrong if you learn from it.
41. I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to… Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women. This quote explains that storms are not something to be afraid of. They are opportunities for learning and growth.
Growth Mindset Quote FAQs
What Is a Growth Mindset Motto?
A growth mindset motto is a little phrase that you might keep written down or repeat like an aphorism to remind you to avoid a fixed mindset. It could be something like "It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up" (Babe Ruth) or "There's no such thing as failure, only results" (Tony Robbins) or any of the other great quotes on this list of top growth mindset quotes .
What Are Some Growth Mindset Quotes?
Examples of growth mindset quotes include, "It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up" (Babe Ruth), "There's no such thing as failure, only results" (Tony Robbins) or "Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance" (Samuel Johnson). For more, check out this list of the best growth mindset quotes of all time .
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