Tips for Cultivating a Growth Mindset and Grit

In my career, I’ve often been the biggest enemy of my success. My mindset held me back for so long before I finally recognized and broke the pattern. I was trapped in a fixed mindset. When I first came to the USA as an international student, I often thought, "I'm just not good at this." That’s a fixed mindset in action. As a result, I was surrounded by: -my fear of failure -my imposter syndrome which destroyed my creativity and crushed my potential. Here’s how I finally broke free: ►Changed the way I talked to myself: As an international student, I was often my own harshest critic. I paid attention to my inner voice and changed how I reacted to failure and criticism. Instead of saying, "I can't do this," I started saying, "I can learn how to do this." ►The Power of 'Yet': It was a game-changer. It’s not that I couldn't pivot my career to product management or get interview calls for internships. it’s that I couldn't do it yet. This simple shift made a huge difference. ►Focused On Self-Improvement Regularly setting aside time to learn something new reminded me that my abilities were not fixed but could be developed. I kept learning. ►Surround Yourself with Growth Mindset Individuals: The people I spent the most time with influenced my mindset. I surrounded myself with people (my boss on campus - Joel Ramirez, Senior pastor Bryan Myers, and others.) who saw challenges as opportunities, who grew in the face of setbacks, and who saw the effort as the first step to mastery. Remember - the choice is yours: Be trapped by your limitations, or give your mind permission to embrace growth. For all international students and job seekers, building a growth mindset can transform your journey in the USA. Stay positive. Stay confident. And stay empowered. You’ve got this!

Don’t fear failure—fear staying the same. I’ve learned that talent alone doesn’t build a real estate empire. It’s your mindset, your ability to persevere, and your willingness to adapt that sets you apart. Success in real estate—or anything in life—starts with investing in yourself. That’s the only asset no one can take from you. Here's how I’ve built my mental framework to stay sharp, bounce back from setbacks, and keep growing. ✅ Actionable Tips for Building the Mindset to Succeed in Real Estate: 𝟭. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 – Fear of failure holds more people back than actual obstacles ever will. I choose to keep moving forward, even when the outcome isn’t certain. 𝟮. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Natural ability is helpful, but grit wins long-term. I stay committed and keep learning, especially when things don’t go as planned. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 – I don’t see obstacles—I see lessons. The tough situations are often the most valuable in shaping your skills and instincts. 𝟰. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 – I intentionally surround myself with people who push me, challenge me, and inspire me to go further. 𝟱. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸—d𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 – Criticism can sting, but I’ve found it’s one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. 𝟲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 #𝟭 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 – The more I grow my mindset, the more value I can create—in my deals, my network, and my life. 𝟳. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Whether it’s reading, journaling, or debriefing a tough situation, I treat personal growth like part of my job. 𝟴. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲—c𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 – Even when I want to go it alone, I know my growth accelerates when I learn from others. 𝟵. 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 – Short-term setbacks don’t matter if you’re focused on becoming better for the next opportunity. 𝟭𝟬. 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 – In real estate and in life, the market changes. I stay committed to changing with it—mentally, emotionally, and strategically.

Angela Duckworth’s “Grit” was recommended to me at two very different points in my career – first when I was setting out to build LinkedIn’s first PLS org years ago, and again when I was emerging from my career break last year – and I finally dug in this past weekend. While toiling away over a pottery wheel, no less – how fitting. Why’d I wait so long?? Duckworth makes the case for consistent effort over talent as the key driver of achievement and success – that the winner is the striver, not the natural. And she calls out our bias towards calling someone a “genius” to help self-soothe when we see them succeed in seemingly effortless ways (guilty). Found myself whispering “yes!” to three big ideas: ▫ Passion and consistency are keys to success. Similar to the case that Malcolm Gladwell makes in “Outliers”, she says staying committed over the long haul is critical – which requires maintaining an enduring interest. ▫ Effort counts twice. Her formula, "talent × effort = skill, and skill × effort = achievement," emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication over innate ability. ▫ Growth Mindset fosters grit. I really like the idea that grit can be developed. She argues that adopting a growth mindset – the belief that one's abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – cultivates grit, leading to greater success in their endeavors. The first bowl I threw on a pottery wheel in Nov 2022 was atrocious. Shockingly, I didn’t have an undiscovered pottery talent. Now, 120 hours of practice later, my mugs and bowls are … acceptable. Only 9,880 hours to go. Now, as applicable as these insights are to pottery, they’re infinitely relevant for the journey of a founder. The effort it takes to go from 0-1. The pivots you inevitably must endure. The adaptability it takes when it’s time to scale. Hats off to you gritty founders, you. And h/t to Kyle Palantzas and Mike Derezin, my “Grit” recommenders - thank you!

This week Jane Pettit and I wrapped up our latest Centred Excellence Academy cohort. We always finish with a session on mindset, and how to be successful at anything, we have to be the change. It's a common human tendency to look around and blame others when things aren't going as we'd like. Whether in business, personal life, or our careers, it's easy to point fingers at colleagues, bosses, family members, or circumstances beyond our control. This mindset, however, keeps us stuck and prevents growth. I've been reflecting on some of the outcomes of not only this session, but also my conversations this week in both my 1:1 coaching, consulting and networking. Shifting our perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have. Instead of waiting for others to change or for situations to improve on their own, we can choose to be the catalyst for the change we want to see. Here's my thoughts on how: 1. Take ownership: Recognise that you have control over your actions and reactions. While you can't always change external circumstances, you can change how you respond to them. 2. Identify what you can influence: Focus on areas where you can make a difference, no matter how small. This could be improving your skills, adjusting your attitude, or finding new ways to approach problems. 3. Ask for what you need: Many of us hesitate to ask for help or resources, fearing rejection or appearing incompetent. However, clear communication about your needs can lead to better support and outcomes. 4. Seek information proactively: Don't wait for others to provide answers. Take initiative to research, learn, and find solutions independently. This not only solves immediate problems but also develops your skills and knowledge. 5. Set an example: Be the change you want to see in your environment. If you want more positivity, be more positive. If you want better communication, communicate more effectively yourself. 6. Embrace continuous learning: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Cultivate a growth mindset that sees setbacks as chances to learn and improve. 7. Take action: Don't wait for the perfect moment or for someone else to take the lead. Start with small steps and build momentum. 8. Reflect and adjust: Regularly assess your progress and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. Being adaptable is key to sustained change. By shifting our mindset from blame to ownership, from passivity to action, we empower ourselves to create positive change. This approach not only improves our own circumstances but can inspire others around us, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation in our workplaces, relationships, and communities. Remember, change starts with you. Be the change you wish to see, and watch how it transforms not just your own life, but the world around you. Have a great weekend everyone 🙂

The Power of a Growth Mindset: A Game Changer for Your Career Have you ever doubted your ability to succeed in a particular field? Maybe you’ve failed at socializing, faced rejection in a job application, or felt like you weren’t “smart enough” to excel in a particular role. These moments can feel like roadblocks, but they are often just stepping stones—depending on your mindset. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my career is the power of a growth mindset—the belief that skills, intelligence, and abilities are not fixed but can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Psychologist Carol Dweck contrasts this with a fixed mindset, where people avoid challenges and fear failure. In fast-evolving fields like finance and risk management, adaptability is crucial. Similarly, navigating job interviews at top firms like Deloitte has reinforced this lesson. Instead of seeing interviews as intimidating tests, I started viewing them as learning experiences—each one an opportunity to refine my communication skills, broaden my industry knowledge, and better position myself for future success. HOW TO CULTIVATE A GROWTH MINDSET IN YOUR CAREER 1. Embrace Challenges: Instead of shying away from difficult tasks, lean into them. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. 2. Learn from Feedback: Constructive criticism isn’t a personal attack—it’s a roadmap for improvement. 3. Adopt a “Yet” Mentality: Instead of saying, “I’m not good at this,” say, “I’m not good at this yet.” 4. Prioritize Learning: Stay curious. Take courses, read, and seek mentorship to continuously build your skills. 5. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Results: Recognize small wins along the way to keep yourself motivated. FINAL THOUGHTS Your mindset is one of the most powerful assets you have. Whether you’re working towards professional certifications, navigating job opportunities, or striving for personal growth, adopting a growth mindset can transform obstacles into opportunities. So, the next time you face a setback, ask yourself: Is this the end, or is it just part of the journey? If you choose the latter, you’re already on the path to success. What’s a moment in your career where a growth mindset made a difference? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Here’s what I do every day to grow a growth mindset. A growth mindset isn’t about hacks or motivation. It’s about building daily habits that shape how your mind responds to challenges. Here’s my daily framework: → Question my default reactions Before I react, I ask: “Is this helping me grow?” → Choose learning over comfort If it doesn’t stretch me, I don’t do it. → Track decisions, not tasks Progress shows up in decisions made, not in busyness checked off. → Limit noise, protect focus I curate inputs - the people, posts, and podcasts that actually elevate thinking. → Start each day with a promise to myself Small, consistent agreements build internal credibility that fuels growth. A growth mindset doesn’t just help you do more. It helps you think differently. What’s one daily habit that’s helped you grow your mindset? Save this if you’re building daily discipline, not just short‑term motivation.