BAD NEWS:
Due to technical difficulties, the audio for this episode was not usable! Wink wonk!
GOOD NEWS:
I still got my noggin. And it's got thoughts about the conversation, recorded or not. See below :-P
"Is Mindset Really That Important? Let’s Talk About It."
So, the other day we were talking about mindset—you know, that whole growth versus fixed mindset thing that seems to pop up in every conversation about learning and life lately. I’ve heard about it a million times, but here’s the question we were tossing around: Does it really matter? And if it does, how much? Like, are we born with a certain way of thinking, or can we actually build a different mindset over time?
Honestly, I don’t have a neat answer to that. But the conversation definitely got me thinking.
Honestly, I don’t have a neat answer to that. But the conversation definitely got me thinking.
Mindset: The Starting Point or the End Goal?
One of the big questions was whether mindset is something you’re just born with. Are some people naturally wired for growth and others for, well, being stuck? It’s easy to see someone with a go-getter attitude and think, "Wow, they just have it." But after hearing different perspectives, I started to wonder—maybe it's not about being born with it at all. Maybe it's something you build, slowly, as you navigate through life’s curveballs.
We talked about how some of us (yep, me) lean more toward that fixed mindset at times. You know the drill—"I’m just not good at this," or, "This is never going to change." But when you catch yourself thinking that way, is it possible to hit pause, rethink, and maybe even switch gears? I like to believe it is, even if it’s hard in the moment.
In the discussion, it became clear that while we all aim for intrinsic motivation, there are times when that carrot—or stick—comes in handy. And maybe that’s okay. It’s not about one being better than the other. Sometimes, it’s just about getting over the hump so you can eventually find that internal fire.
Honestly, this got me reflecting on my own life. I’ve definitely needed that external nudge at times, whether it’s from a deadline, a reward, or even a friendly challenge. But once I got rolling, I could see how the motivation shifted from external to internal. Maybe that’s the trick—just getting started so you can eventually find the motivation within.
I’ll admit, I’m not always in that headspace. Some days feel like a slog. But thinking about those "bonus day" people made me wonder: What’s their mindset? Are they just wired differently? Or is this something we can learn, too?
One takeaway for me was that maybe it’s not about pretending every day is perfect, but about shifting the focus. If I can catch myself in those moments of frustration and remind myself, "Hey, this is just part of the journey," would that make a difference? It’s something I’m curious to try—when I remember, anyway.
We kept coming back to this idea that you can’t grow without feeling a little uncomfortable. Whether it’s starting something new, tackling a tough challenge, or having a difficult conversation, discomfort is always part of the process. The more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s true—at least for me. All the moments where I’ve grown the most? Yep, uncomfortable. But also worth it.
The tricky part is recognizing when it’s discomfort that’s helping you grow, versus when it’s just… well, uncomfortable for no reason. That’s the balance, I guess. Lean into the discomfort that pushes you forward, and learn to let go of the rest. Easier said than done, but worth a shot.
So maybe the key is in how we model it. Instead of telling our kids what they should be doing or how they should be thinking, we can show them by how we approach our own challenges. And when we mess up (because we will), that’s part of it, too. Let them see the process—failures and all.
In the conversation, we tossed around the idea that sometimes it’s less about telling them what to think and more about creating the space for them to figure it out. That’s probably one of the hardest parts of parenting, right? Letting them struggle a bit, while resisting the urge to swoop in with the "answer."
What stuck with me the most is that we all have different starting points. Some of us are more naturally growth-minded, while others (like me, on some days) have to work a little harder to see the opportunities in the challenges. And that’s okay, too.
So, here’s what I’m reflecting on this week: How can I bring a little more of that growth mindset into my own life? How can I model it in a way that feels real, not forced, for my kids? And how can I stay curious, even when things get uncomfortable?
If you’ve been thinking about mindset or motivation lately, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s been working for you, and where are you still figuring things out? Let’s keep the conversation going. After all, we’re all just learning as we go.
We talked about how some of us (yep, me) lean more toward that fixed mindset at times. You know the drill—"I’m just not good at this," or, "This is never going to change." But when you catch yourself thinking that way, is it possible to hit pause, rethink, and maybe even switch gears? I like to believe it is, even if it’s hard in the moment.
What Motivates Us: The Eternal Struggle
Another part of the conversation that really struck a chord was motivation. There’s this constant balancing act between external rewards (like praise or a sticker chart for the kids) and internal motivation (that feeling when you just want to do something because it matters to you). In theory, I’d love for everything to be driven by internal motivation—wouldn’t we all? But let’s be real: sometimes you need the external push.In the discussion, it became clear that while we all aim for intrinsic motivation, there are times when that carrot—or stick—comes in handy. And maybe that’s okay. It’s not about one being better than the other. Sometimes, it’s just about getting over the hump so you can eventually find that internal fire.
Honestly, this got me reflecting on my own life. I’ve definitely needed that external nudge at times, whether it’s from a deadline, a reward, or even a friendly challenge. But once I got rolling, I could see how the motivation shifted from external to internal. Maybe that’s the trick—just getting started so you can eventually find the motivation within.
What if Every Day was a "Bonus Day"?
At one point, we dove into this idea of people who seem to treat life like every day is a "bonus day." You know, the ones who wake up and tackle the day like it’s a gift. Do they have a secret we don’t? One of us mentioned how some people just have this way of seeing life through a different lens—like everything’s an opportunity, not a problem.I’ll admit, I’m not always in that headspace. Some days feel like a slog. But thinking about those "bonus day" people made me wonder: What’s their mindset? Are they just wired differently? Or is this something we can learn, too?
One takeaway for me was that maybe it’s not about pretending every day is perfect, but about shifting the focus. If I can catch myself in those moments of frustration and remind myself, "Hey, this is just part of the journey," would that make a difference? It’s something I’m curious to try—when I remember, anyway.
Discomfort and Growth: A Messy Duo
Let’s talk about discomfort for a minute. Because, apparently, that’s where growth happens. Great, right? (She said, sarcastically.)We kept coming back to this idea that you can’t grow without feeling a little uncomfortable. Whether it’s starting something new, tackling a tough challenge, or having a difficult conversation, discomfort is always part of the process. The more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s true—at least for me. All the moments where I’ve grown the most? Yep, uncomfortable. But also worth it.
The tricky part is recognizing when it’s discomfort that’s helping you grow, versus when it’s just… well, uncomfortable for no reason. That’s the balance, I guess. Lean into the discomfort that pushes you forward, and learn to let go of the rest. Easier said than done, but worth a shot.
Modeling Mindset for Our Kids (Without Being Too Preachy)
As parents and guides, we all agreed on one thing: We need to model this growth mindset, even when it’s hard. Kids pick up on everything, and if we’re not practicing what we preach, they’ll notice. But here’s the catch—I don’t want to be that parent who turns everything into a "teachable moment" or a mini-lecture. I’m already exhausted just thinking about it.So maybe the key is in how we model it. Instead of telling our kids what they should be doing or how they should be thinking, we can show them by how we approach our own challenges. And when we mess up (because we will), that’s part of it, too. Let them see the process—failures and all.
In the conversation, we tossed around the idea that sometimes it’s less about telling them what to think and more about creating the space for them to figure it out. That’s probably one of the hardest parts of parenting, right? Letting them struggle a bit, while resisting the urge to swoop in with the "answer."
Final Thoughts: What I’m Still Figuring Out
Honestly, this whole conversation left me with more questions than answers, and maybe that’s the point. The whole mindset thing is a journey, and it’s not something you just "get" one day and then you’re done. It’s ongoing, evolving, and pretty messy. But that’s okay.What stuck with me the most is that we all have different starting points. Some of us are more naturally growth-minded, while others (like me, on some days) have to work a little harder to see the opportunities in the challenges. And that’s okay, too.
So, here’s what I’m reflecting on this week: How can I bring a little more of that growth mindset into my own life? How can I model it in a way that feels real, not forced, for my kids? And how can I stay curious, even when things get uncomfortable?
If you’ve been thinking about mindset or motivation lately, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s been working for you, and where are you still figuring things out? Let’s keep the conversation going. After all, we’re all just learning as we go.
Our Podcast
There's more where that came from :-) Check out other Noodles in the Sandbox episodes wherever you get your podcasts!
About the Author
Angela is passionate about reshaping the way kids learn and grow. As the co-founder of Acton Academy Northwest Austin, Angela is dedicated to fostering a learner-driven environment where curiosity thrives and students take ownership of their educational journeys. When not working with young heroes, they’re often exploring big ideas on education, parenting, and lifelong learning right here on the blog.Want to learn more about our innovative approach to education? Check out Acton Academy Northwest Austin to see how we’re redefining school for the next generation of curious thinkers and independent learners.