Growth Mindset Motivation: Trust The Process

Progress You Can’t See Is Still Progress

You wouldn’t dig up a plant every day to check if it’s growing. You’d water it, give it light and trust the process. So why do we treat ourselves differently?

This blog post is rooted in that one simple but powerful idea – the one I shared recently in a TikTok reel. Growth isn’t always visible. Motivation isn’t always loud. But just like that plant, you’re evolving – even when it doesn’t look like it. If you’re feeling stuck, impatient or frustrated that you’re “not there yet,” this is for you.

Let’s explore what growth mindset motivation really means, why trusting the process is essential and how to stay motivated even when progress feels slow.

How Does Growth Mindset Relate to Motivation?

Growth mindset and motivation are tightly connected. A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort, learning and persistence. When you hold this belief, you’re far more likely to stay motivated, even when things get tough.

Why? Because setbacks don’t feel final. Failure isn’t a stop sign; it’s feedback. Instead of giving up, you adapt. You reflect. You keep going.

So when your motivation dips, check in with your mindset. Are you expecting overnight success? Are you only valuing progress you can measure?

Adopting a growth mindset helps you stay fuelled by long-term motivation – the kind that’s built on patience, purpose and belief in your own capacity to improve.

What Are The 5 Characteristics Of A Growth Mindset?

To deepen your understanding, here are five core traits of a growth mindset you can begin cultivating today:

1. Embracing Challenges – You don’t avoid hard things; you welcome them as opportunities to grow.

2. Persistence – When you stumble, you bounce back. You know effort over time brings change.

3. Learning from Criticism – Feedback isn’t personal. It’s useful. You seek it, not fear it.

4. Inspired By Others’ Success – Someone else’s success isn’t a threat – it’s proof that growth is possible.

5. Focus On Progress, Not Perfection – You track how far you’ve come, not how far you still have to go.

Each of these mindsets feeds motivation because they remove the pressure to “get it right” immediately.

What Is Growth Motivation?

Growth motivation is the drive to become better – not just to look better. It’s not about comparing yourself to others or ticking off boxes to prove your worth. It’s about deep, internal purpose.

This kind of motivation is:

• Intrinsic – fuelled by your own values and goals

• Sustainable – built on meaningful progress, not instant gratification

• Resilient – strong enough to weather doubts and setbacks

So if you’re struggling to stay motivated, ask yourself: Am I trying to prove something or improve something?

How Do You Encourage A Growth Mindset?

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or just working on yourself, here are a few ways to encourage a growth mindset:

• Praise Effort, Not Just Outcomes – Celebrate the process, not just the result.

• Normalise Failure – Remind yourself and others that mistakes are part of learning.

• Use “Yet” Language – “I haven’t cracked it yet” is far more powerful than “I can’t.”

• Model It – Be honest about your own challenges and how you push through them.

It’s not about toxic positivity or pretending things are always easy. It’s about shifting the lens: every experience is a lesson, every setback is a set-up for growth.

How Do I Train Myself To Have A Growth Mindset?

Start small and consistent. Here’s what works:

• Reflect Daily – Journal what you learned from challenges or what you’re proud of trying.

• Talk To Yourself Like A Coach – Be encouraging, not punishing.

• Reframe Your Language – Instead of “I failed,” try “I learned.”

• Surround Yourself With Growth-Minded People – Energy is contagious.

Training your mindset is just like building muscle. You don’t see it after one session, but over time, it changes how you show up, respond and lead your life.

Can Growth Mindset Be Taught?

Absolutely. In fact, teaching growth mindset is one of the most powerful tools for change – especially in schools, coaching or professional settings.

It’s not about saying “believe in yourself” and hoping it sticks. It’s about:

• Creating Safe Environments where mistakes are valued

• Using Real-Life Examples to show what growth looks like

• Helping People Reframe Experiences in ways that spark learning rather than shame

Through mindset coaching and resilience training, I help individuals, parents, and professionals build these exact tools – because mindset shapes motivation, and motivation drives action.

What Does It Mean To Trust The Process?

Trusting the process means believing in the work you're putting in – even when you can’t see the results straight away.

It’s about knowing:

• Not all progress is visible

• Not all wins are instant

• Not all changes feel dramatic

Like the plant in the reel – you're growing beneath the surface. The habits you’re building, the mindset you’re shaping, the self-talk you’re improving – it’s all part of the process.

You don’t need constant proof to keep going. You just need faith in your effort, your vision and your ability to adapt.

Your Progress Is Already Happening – Even If You Can’t Feel It Yet

If you’ve been questioning your growth, comparing yourself to others or wondering why you’re “not there yet” – I see you.

But here’s what I want you to know: you don’t have to feel progress to be making it.

This is the kind of work I do every day through mindset coaching. I help people quiet the noise, realign their goals and get motivated again – not through pressure, but through purpose.

If this blog resonated, and you’re ready to take action – to stop digging up your progress and start nurturing it instead – then let’s talk.

Ready To Strengthen Your Growth Mindset And Motivation?

If you're tired of second-guessing your progress and want to reconnect with your drive, my Elevate Your Self-Esteem session, Empowerment session and Your Starting Point sessions are for you.

Whether you're a young person, an adult, a parent, or a professional, I’ll help you build the mindset strategies that keep you motivated for the long haul.

Find out more about my one-to-one coaching sessions here and my live group coaching sessions here.