1.2.1 – Growth Mindset: Noticing Growth
📘 Growth Mindset Narrative (Personal)
Thoughts about Growth Mindset
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10BFYwstm83AHxjBRO2e1pkKaMksz1wsk/view?usp=drive_link Transcript: [Audio file to be replaced with Ugandan colleague recording!] When I think about the people I know and see in my community, I sometimes wonder to myself: “Were these people born smart and successful? Were these people ever beginners before they were experts? Are children born walking, talking, singing, running? Or are great athletes born running and great musicians born singing? And I look at myself for clues: I am now capable of many things that I learned over time. I know how to prepare meals, fix and gather things that I need. I know how to use a phone and navigate between villages and roads. But I didn’t always know these things… Recently I learned that the brain is like a muscle. Scientific study of the mind reveals that the brain grows in the direction of where you focus and learn – if you study maps and roads before a long journey, your mind’s directional skills get stronger. If you practice maths or games, you get stronger and better because your brain grows connections with effort. And this makes sense: We all know children learn and grow quickly, but adults grow and form new connections throughout their life. It happens more quickly for adults when they focus their attention. What is hard at first becomes easier over time.
Growth Mindset: GROUP ACTIVITY
Many people believe their intelligence is fixed; they simply aren’t the type to be good at certain things. But the brain works like a muscle: it grows stronger with effort and practice. This activity gives your participants a chance to reflect on their personal growth through peer sharing and supportive feedback as they develop a growth mindset. Group size: 2-5 people
Steps: 2 min: Get together 12 min: Answer the Prompt: Take turns. Each person shares (2 min), then the other two respond (2 min). Repeat for all 3 people (3 rounds × 4 min). Idea #1: Intelligence is something that grows like a muscle, with effort and experience. Prompt #1: What are your reactions and thoughts about the idea of intelligence growing over time & effort? Does anyone agree with these ideas? Does anyone disagree? What was hard before but is now easy?
Idea #2: Some things WILL feel hard when growing your enterprise… think about the new things you might need to learn. Many enterprise and income growth skills feel hard at first, but typically get easier with experience: Getting yourself organized and investment ready (ex. speaking with your business-partners) Recordkeeping and Bookkeeping (ex. comfort with numbers & good habits) Interacting with customers (ex. responding in line with your goals) Exploring new potential markets (ex. knowing & taking a good opportunity) Changing your products and services Having hard conversations about money with family members. Prompt #2: What is hard now about enterprise development, but might become easier in the future?
Group Activity Worksheet: [add link]
Noticing Your Growth (Online Discussion)
Optional: Trainer Forum
Share in the online trainer group discussion: After you post your story, read your colleagues’ posts and reply to two of them. If no one has posted yet, that’s okay. Come back in a day or two and check again. ✍️ In your replies, you can share feedback, like a question or a recommendation. You can also tell them how you relate to their story. Your replies help your colleagues feel supported and learn from one another.
Noticing Your Growth (Peer Discussion)
Peer Discussion
Think of something you couldn’t do a year ago, but can do now. It can be small, like using a new app, cooking a new dish, or learning a new work skill. Listen and share with everyone in your small trainer-preparation group (2-4 people) This discussion will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on this with your peers.
📝 Knowledge Check: 1.2.1 – Noticing People’s Growth
What is true about learning and the brain? (Select all that apply)
Your answer