Growth mindset – It's simple but not easy.
By Luis Marinho
In training contexts, I'm often asked how to operationalize a growth mindset. The answer is very simple: the foundation isn't talent or a special gift. It's effort. That's why I always advise applying this to something as mundane as possible. I'll explain with my own case.
I live in a 7-story building.
Every day, when I arrive, the same moment repeats itself. I enter, look at the elevator—fast, comfortable, just a button away—and motivation begins to speak to me:
“"Not today."”
“"It was a demanding day."”
“"You deserve to rest."”
None of this is a lie. But it doesn't matter anyway. Because the decision isn't logistical. It's behavioral.
I have two options: take the elevator or climb the stairs. And I choose the stairs.
Not because I feel like it. Not because it motivates me. Not because I "like the challenge." I choose it because, a long time ago, I decided that I don't negotiate with that so-called "motivation," the sister of the other, "demotivation.".
Motivation always tries to make exceptions. Today for this reason, tomorrow for that. And, without realizing it, the pattern changes.
It's not about seven floors. It's about the criteria. If I concede there, I concede in other areas: in the preparation, which could be more rigorous; in the detail, which could be more carefully considered; in the extra effort that nobody sees.
The mind learns quickly and gets used to laziness. That's why I simplify. I don't argue. I don't justify. I don't evaluate how I feel. I just move forward.
And then there's the curious effect of contrast. The other day, at another client's building where I went to a meeting, I went up 5 floors. It was automatic and a piece of cake.
Five floors, which for many people are reason enough to press the button, were irrelevant and easy to complete for me.
A growth mindset isn't about believing that "anything is possible." It's not about being motivated. It's not even about wanting something very badly. Essentially, it's about setting a standard and executing it with discipline.
A growth mindset doesn't happen in epic moments. It happens in these small, repeated, almost boring decisions.
I could use the elevator every day. But I don't.
I'm not training legs. I'm training my growth mindset. Maybe it's time for me to move to the 9th floor.
