The Foundation of Growth and Development
To be the best Competitor that we can be, we will continue to grow and develop. What is our view of growth and development?
It is important for us to outline our philosophy and in this piece today, I will outline my foundation of how we can grow and develop.
It was Christmas of 2008 and just a few weeks before we were fortunate to welcome our first son into the world. For Christmas, I received a book that had been recommended multiple times to me. That book was Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Dweck explores the concept of "mindsets" and their impact on people's lives. She distinguishes between a "fixed mindset," where individuals believe their abilities are static, and a "growth mindset," where individuals believe abilities can be developed through effort and learning. This work is foundational for understanding how adopting a growth mindset can foster personal development and achievement. While I read this book, there were numerous strategies that parents, teachers, and coaches could use to help promote and develop a “growth mindset” in our children, students, and players.
Since this book was published in 2008, numerous books and scholarly articles have been written building on the development of a growth mindset. In 2012, Dr. Dweck and Dr. David Yeager published an article in Educational Psychologist titled, Mindsets That Promote Resilience: When Students Believe That Personal Characteristics Can Be Developed. This article by Dweck and Yeager discussed how the growth mindset can promote resilience, specifically in educational environments. It outlines the ways in which individuals who believe their abilities can grow through effort are more likely to persist in the face of challenges, fostering both academic success and psychological resilience.
Dr. Yeager followed up this research article by releasing his first book in 2024 titled, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. (I am currently in the process of reading this wonderful book, and at this point, I HIGHLY recommend reading this book.)
All of this research and from experience, we are well-served to look at each individual that comes into our lives as having the ability to grow, develop, and improve. We look at others and desire to bring the best out in them. When we treat them with respect and allow them to belong, we are setting the stage for greatness in their life.
Look for the opportunities to help others grow, develop, and improve. This is what Dr. Martin Luther King did, he challenged us to grow, develop, and improve. When we do this, we make the world a better place. We can live out Dr. King’s dream and make the world a better place.
Be Your Best Today.
Keep Competing.