Every day, life presents us with a choice: to see the problems that hold us back or the possibilities that push us forward. The way we respond to challenges, whether we focus on obstacles or opportunities, determines whether we thrive or sink. A growth mindset empowers us to move forward even in the face of devastation, while a fixed mindset keeps us trapped in cycles of complaint, resentment, and hopelessness. Wonder how we can tell our growth aptitude here?
Let’s reflect on the last big hot topic or personal offense we encountered and ask ourselves what would others have seen if they’d observed our thoughts or conversations on the issues. Were we dwelling on details of the issue in ways that leave ourselves or others miserable? Or would we find ourselves discussing possibilities with doable benefits for all? Well, maybe not all, but most. Would we be found telling others how we were victimized by a fellow worker, or would we be leading the charge to spread a boatload of serotonin so that any who wished could take their share and not in any way deplete our own supply of inner well-being. Simply stated, we either remain water-boarded by a past problem or shaped by a present innovative possibility forward.
Consider a workplace where gossip runs rampant. It’s easy to feel defeated when colleagues whisper behind our backs or undermine our efforts. A fixed mindset (fueled by cortisol toxins) convinces us that we are powerless, that the negativity of others defines us, and that we must either retaliate or accept the misery. “You just don’t know my crazy colleagues,” we might say, resigning ourselves to the toxicity. But a growth mindset (fueled by our brain’s well-being fuel, serotonin) equips us to see beyond the pettiness. Instead of reacting with bitterness, we focus on what we can control, our own integrity, our own choices, and the circles we build. We seek out like-minded individuals who value respect and collaboration, and over time, we create a culture that encourages honesty and support rather than gossip and division.
Failure often tempts us to adopt a fixed mindset. When we pour effort into a project, a dream, or a relationship only to see it crumble, it’s easy to believe we are stuck in failure’s shadow forever. We may say, “I tried, and it didn’t work, so now I have no choice but to live with the disappointment.” But a growth mindset recognizes that every setback contains lessons and new directions. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb, yet he famously re-framed failure as discovery: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” The difference between those who thrive and those who sink is not the absence of failure, but the ability to extract wisdom from it. When one path collapses, a growth mindset allows us to look for another.
Mindset shapes our response to personal loss as well. When grief strikes, whether through the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship, it’s natural to feel like life has stopped. A fixed mindset clings to the pain, replaying the moments of loss over and over, believing that no future can replace what was taken. But a growth mindset honors the grief while also searching for meaning beyond it. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” we ask, “What can I learn from this? How can I use this pain to grow, to help others, to become more compassionate?” Countless people who have faced loss have turned their suffering into purpose, whether by starting support groups, advocating for change, or simply learning to appreciate life in a deeper way. The pain does not disappear, but the mindset determines whether it defines us or strengthens us.
Daily annoyances also test our mindset. A canceled meeting, a difficult customer, an unexpected delay, these can either ruin our day or remind us to be adaptable. A fixed mindset sees inconveniences as proof that things never go right. A growth mindset sees them as opportunities to build patience, problem-solving skills, and resilience. When a flight is canceled, one traveler may lash out at the airline, fume in frustration, and see the entire trip as ruined. Another traveler may use the delay to read, reflect, or even strike up an interesting conversation with a stranger. The situation is the same, but the mindset changes everything.
The people we surround ourselves with also shape our ability to see problems or possibilities. Fixed-mindset circles encourage complaining, blame, and negativity. These conversations revolve around what’s wrong, who’s to blame, and why things will never change. Growth-mindset circles, on the other hand, challenge each other to see solutions, to re-frame difficulties, and to encourage progress. Imagine two employees discussing a company’s leadership. One says, “Management never listens to us, and nothing ever improves.” The other says, “It’s frustrating, but have you considered proposing a new idea? What if we found a way to be heard?” The first mindset builds walls, the second builds doors.
It is tempting to think that some problems are just too big for any mindset shift to change. But history is filled with people who faced overwhelming obstacles and still chose to see possibilities. Nelson Mandela endured decades of imprisonment but emerged not with resentment, but with a vision for reconciliation. Helen Keller, despite being both blind and deaf, refused to accept a life of limitation and instead became a powerful advocate for education and human rights. These figures remind us that circumstances do not determine our future, our mindset does. Every challenge holds a choice. We either dwell on the problem or embrace the possibility.
The choice between problems and possibilities is one we make daily. We can allow difficulties to keep us stuck, or we can ask, “What can I do? What can I learn? What is still possible?” Growth mindset does not mean ignoring pain, frustration, or failure. It means refusing to let them be the final word. It is about seeing beyond the current problem and believing that the next step forward always exists. Whether in the workplace, in personal struggles, or in moments of loss, those who thrive are not the ones who never face hardship, but the ones who choose to see and step beyond it.