Growth Mindset Activities for Self-Critics: What Actually Helped Me Change

Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash

I’ve always struggled at being nice to myself.

To everyone else? No problem. But when situations got tough, my brain would do an excellent job of convincing me I was wrong, behind, or just not good enough.

I’ve been doing a lot of research into this annoying habit of mine, and it’s taken me down some interesting paths: imposter syndrome, self-compassion, and — of course — growth mindset. The good news? Things can definitely get better for us self critics.

It turns out we can give our brains a sneaky switcheroo using the language we use and the mindset we engage. And the difference between a fixed and growth mindset is more than just theory — it changes how we approach challenges, setbacks, and even everyday work.

Here’s what you need to know — and what’s actually helped me make it stick.

When psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the concept of growth mindset, it was based on decades of research showing that our beliefs about intelligence and ability matter — a lot.

In one study, students who were taught that the brain forms new connections when we make mistakes showed greater persistence, improved grades, and a more positive attitude toward effort (Dweck, 2006).

What we believe about ourselves shapes how we behave — especially when things get hard.

But mindset isn’t just something you have or don’t have. It’s something you practice.

Here’s the growth mindset activities I use that are actually sustainable.

Notice the fixed mindset moments — and reword them. I started paying attention to how I talk to myself. “I’m just not good at this” became “I’m still figuring this out.” “This always goes wrong” turned into “This hasn’t worked yet.” It’s a tiny shift, but it changes how I feel — and Dweck’s work shows that this kind of self-talk increases resilience and motivation.

Track progress backwards. Instead of obsessing over how far I still had to go, I started noting what I’d already done — actions taken, ideas tested, things I learned. This backward-looking reflection helps me stay grounded in growth, even when forward momentum feels slow.

Ask one question every day: What did I learn today that I didn’t know yesterday?Sometimes the answer is personal, sometimes it’s practical. Either way, it creates a thread of learning I can trace back later — especially useful when my brain insists I’ve been “stuck” for weeks.

It’s not failure. It’s lessons and gifts. This one has taken time. But when something doesn’t work out, I try not to frame it as a dead end. I ask:

What did this teach me?

What will I do differently next time? 

Dweck often says the most powerful learning happens when we struggle with something just outside our current ability. When I remember that, I stop seeing hard moments as evidence that I’m not good enough — and start treating them as proof I’m growing.

Reflect — but keep it low-effort. I don’t journal daily, but I check in around once a month or more if times are getting challenging: what felt new, what challenged me, and what I’m proud of (even if no one else saw it). That quiet reflection helps me connect the dots and stay open — especially when life feels chaotic.

Want to know some great reflection prompts? Then check out my other blog post on that very topic.

Growth Mindset Activities Aren't One Big Shift — They're Lots of Small Ones

If you want to build a growth mindset, don’t start with a plan or a tool. Start with a sentence. A moment of reflection. A gentle reframe when things go sideways.

Dweck’s work reminds us that ability isn’t fixed — and growth happens not by magic, but by practice.

I’ve learned that my inner critic doesn’t go away, but it quiets down when I respond with curiosity instead of judgment.

That’s what keeps me in motion.

What’s one small reframe you could say to yourself today to start practicing a growth mindset? Would love to hear from you in the comments.

Want some more confidence tips now? Download my imposter syndrome first aid essentials workbook to flip the script in one hour.