Let’s face it, if your brain were a muscle, a lot of us would be skipping leg day. Critical thinking—like squats—is something we know we should do, but it’s just so much easier to sit on the couch of fixed thinking and scroll mindlessly through life.

Enter the concept of a growth mindset, which is basically like having a personal trainer for your brain. It’s all about believing you can get smarter, think sharper, and solve problems better just by putting in the work.

And no, it’s not some motivational mumbo jumbo. Research actually backs this up. When you adopt a growth mindset, you start to see challenges as opportunities instead of doom-filled detours. You turn failures into learning experiences (and maybe funny stories to share at parties). The best part? It directly boosts your ability to think critically. Let’s dive into how this works, one awkward brain exercise at a time.

What Even Is a Growth Mindset?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s clear up what a growth mindset actually is. It’s the belief that your abilities aren’t set in stone. You’re not stuck with the IQ or talent you were born with—you can improve. Like those people who start as terrible dancers but end up winning dance competitions. Or at least stop stepping on everyone’s toes.

Now, compare that to a fixed mindset, which is the idea that your skills are locked in a box, never to grow or change. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just bad at math, end of story,” congratulations! You were rocking a fixed mindset. The trick is to flip the script and start thinking, “Okay, I stink at math right now, but I can get better.”

When you switch gears to a growth mindset, your brain literally changes. Neuroscience says that your brain is like Play-Doh—it’s malleable and forms new connections as you learn. (And no, it doesn’t dry out if you leave it uncovered overnight.)

Turning Failures into Brain Fuel

Failure gets a bad rap. Nobody likes it, but honestly, failure is like kale—it’s not fun, but it’s ridiculously good for you.

When you embrace failure, you stop seeing it as a giant neon sign screaming, “YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.” Instead, it becomes a learning moment, a chance to figure out what went wrong and how to do better next time. It’s like debugging a computer, but instead of code, you’re fixing your own thought process.

Take this story: I once bombed a public speaking gig so badly that the audience looked like they were trapped in a hostage situation. I could’ve crawled under a rock and vowed never to speak again. But instead, I watched the video (yes, there was a video), learned from my mistakes, and worked on improving. The next time I spoke, it wasn’t perfect, but at least nobody looked like they were planning their escape route.

The moral? Failure is just data. Use it.

Asking Better Questions

If you’ve ever had a conversation with a toddler, you know their favorite word is “why.” It’s adorable for about five minutes, and then you’re Googling “why is the sky blue” just to make it stop. But the truth is, toddlers are onto something. Asking “why” is the gateway drug to critical thinking.

When you start questioning things—Why did this happen? What’s the bigger picture?—you force your brain to dig deeper. A growth mindset thrives on curiosity, and curiosity leads to better questions, which leads to better answers.

By the way, this doesn’t mean turning into an annoying know-it-all who questions everything for the sake of it. (We all know that person, and they’re not fun at parties.) It means genuinely trying to understand the world around you, even if the answers make your brain hurt a little.

Stretching Beyond Comfort Zones

Let’s be real: comfort zones are cozy but useless for growth. They’re the sweatpants of life—great for relaxing but terrible for impressing anyone. If you want to think critically, you’ve got to step out of that comfort zone and try new things.

For example, if you always read the same types of books or follow the same news sources, you’re basically feeding your brain a steady diet of mental junk food. Mix it up! Read opposing viewpoints, learn a new skill, or take up a hobby you’ve never tried before. Yes, you might be terrible at it at first, but that’s kind of the point.

Growth happens when you’re uncomfortable. So, embrace the awkward.

Visualization: The Jedi Mind Trick

Here’s where things get a little Jedi-like. Visualization isn’t just for athletes and yoga instructors—it’s a powerful tool for developing a growth mindset and critical thinking.

Picture yourself tackling a tough problem, step by step. Imagine yourself breaking it down, analyzing it, and finding a solution. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a real experience and an imagined one, so this practice literally builds the mental pathways you need to succeed.

Think of it as a dress rehearsal for your brain. No pressure, no audience, just you and your thoughts.

Celebrating Small Wins

Let’s not forget the little victories. When you’re working on your mindset, it’s easy to focus on the big picture and ignore the small stuff. But those tiny wins add up.

Maybe you solved a problem faster than usual, or you asked a question that sparked an interesting conversation. Celebrate that! Rewarding yourself for progress—no matter how small—keeps you motivated to keep growing.

By the way, celebrating doesn’t have to mean throwing a party. (Though, if you want to, invite me.) It can be as simple as acknowledging your effort and giving yourself a pat on the back.

Keeping the Long Game in Mind

Developing a growth mindset isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a lifelong process, like flossing or trying to keep houseplants alive. There will be setbacks, but that’s okay. Growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

When you hit a wall, remind yourself why you started. Think about how far you’ve come, and give yourself credit for sticking with it. Critical thinking, like anything worth doing, takes time. But the payoff? A sharper mind, better decisions, and maybe even a newfound love of kale.

Suggested Resources

The Power of a Growth Mindset
https://www.mindtools.com/growth-mindset

Critical Thinking Strategies for Everyday Life
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/critical-thinking

How Visualization Improves Mental Resilience
https://www.psychologytoday.com/visualization-resilience