Characteristics of a Growth Mindset: How To Find Success

There’s a huge difference between someone who thrives and someone who stagnates, and it rarely comes down to talent.

When I started with Framer, I wasn't the most technically skilled designer in the room. In fact, I started my five-figure business with zero Framer knowledge.

What set me apart and ultimately built my business for me was my approach to learning, challenges, and setbacks.

A growth mindset — the belief that ability can be built through dedication and hard work — has been the foundation of every breakthrough in my business.

It’s a belief that can be developed, regardless of where you're starting from.

Let's talk about growth mindset and how you can build one for yourself.

Mindset vs Skillset

Chances are you know a few people with incredible skills who are struggling. Whether that’s financially, career-wise, or even interpersonally.

The difference? You guessed it – mindset.

Sure, your skillset determines what you can do today. But your mindset is what defines how quickly those skills grow and how you apply them when times get tough.

When I first started my business, I didn't know much about component architecture or responsive design. But my approach to learning made the difference.

Instead of thinking "I'm not good at this," I thought "I'm not good at this… yet."

Here’s how that plays out:

• A designer with a fixed mindset avoids complex interactions because they're "not that kind of designer."

• A growth-minded designer sees the same challenge as an opportunity to learn more.

I personally believe that the most valuable aspect here is how your long-term resilience is impacted.

Technical skills expire. Tools change. But if you're always ready to adapt, you’ll always come out on top.

Embracing Challenges

People who thrive don't avoid difficult projects — they actively seek them out.

By facing challenges before you feel ready, you create a strong feedback loop. Each obstacle tackled makes the next one less intimidating and builds momentum.

Try shifting from "this might not work" to "let's see what happens when I..." This small change can rid you of the paralysis that keeps you stuck in comfort zones.

I get that this is a pretty scary thing to do, so let’s pretend you’re looking at something you find difficult right now. What’s stopping you from going all in?

Ask yourself:

• What could I learn if I just do it?

• Will I have expanded my skillset once I figured this out?

• What's the worst that could happen if I go for it?

You’ll probably find that your answers are actually quite positive, and you could really find some benefit from embracing the challenge ahead of you.

Persistence Through Setbacks

Setbacks aren't failures—they're feedback.

It's easy to abandon a project after disappointment. But how is giving up going to get you where you want to be?

Stay committed to the destination, but look at the path with curiosity. I liken the mindset shift to a childlike wonder.

Here's how:

• Think about what specifically went wrong. Was it execution, timing, or approach? Pinpoint the exact issue instead of labeling the whole project a failure.

• Make a routine. When things don't go as you’d hoped, have a process: take a few hours to feel disappointed, then write down specific lessons and three adjustments.

• Track patterns across setbacks. Keep a log of challenges you've faced. You'll often find the same problems repeating, which will tell you where you need to grow.

• Build a support system. Find people who'll be honest when you need to pivot and encouraging when you’re on the right path.

• Set smaller milestones. Break your big goal into smaller chunks. It’ll give you a bunch of small wins and make it easier to adjust course without feeling like you're starting over again.

By the way, when I talk about persistence here, I don't mean staying with one approach. If it didn't work the first time, it still won't work if you keep trying to force it.

Come at it with curiosity, and you might surprise yourself!

Effort as a Path to Mastery

Quality over quantity, always.

Deliberate practice accelerates mastery much faster than mindless repetition. A couple of focused hours spent on things you find difficult will teach you more than ten hours of casual tinkering.

The most effective people create feedback loops that actually work:

• Build something slightly beyond your current abilities

• Get honest feedback on what works and what doesn't

• Apply your learnings in your next project

• Repeat with progressively challenging work

Be honest with yourself.

Are you challenging yourself with each new project, or just creating variations of stuff you already know how to do? Are you seeking feedback on your weak spots, or only sharing your best work?

The projects that fuel your growth are the ones that make you a little uncomfortable — where you're not 100% sure you can pull it off.

Handling Criticism

People who grow fastest are often those who actively seek out criticism. It doesn't mean they love hearing their work sucks — they just know how to separate feedback from identity.

It goes without saying really, that when someone critiques your work, they're not critiquing you as a person.

It’s not that easy to separate the two, though.

Here’s how you can:

• Ask specific questions that invite honest feedback. Think "What's the weakest part of this?" over "Do you like this?"

• Focus on what’s actionable in any criticism, even when delivery is harsh

• Thank people for thoughtful criticism

• Wait a day or so before responding to feedback that stings

Criticism of your work now says nothing about your potential in the future. The gap between where you are and where you could be is bridged by the very feedback most people avoid seeking out.

Inspiration Over Jealousy

When you see someone creating amazing work, do you feel inspired or threatened? Your answer says a lot about your mindset.

People with a growth mindset turn jealousy into inspiration. They see others' success as proof of what's possible, not evidence they're falling behind. This flip in thinking unlocks huge learning opportunities.

Make a habit of studying work you admire:

• Break down projects to see how they're built

• Look at how successful people price and position themselves

• Notice what specific elements make their work stand out

Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you speeds up your growth, so — follow creators who challenge you, not just those doing similar stuff.

When you catch yourself making unfair comparisons, remember you're seeing their highlight reel, not their everyday work or early attempts.

Everyone starts somewhere.

Key Takeaways

Building a growth mindset doesn't happen overnight. It comes from small shifts in how you tackle challenges day to day.

Here's how to get started:

• Challenge yourself daily: Do one small thing each day that pushes your comfort zone. It's like working out a muscle – the more you stretch it, the stronger it gets.

• Flip how you see setbacks: When things goes wrong, don't ask "Why me?" Ask "What's this teaching me?" This tiny change makes a huge difference.

• Get honest feedback: Find people who'll tell you the truth about your work, not just what you want to hear. Make feedback a regular thing, not a special event.

• Check out what you love: Look at work you admire and figure out exactly what makes it great. Don't just admire it – learn from it.

• Love the process: Focus on getting better each day instead of obsessing over perfect outcomes or outside validation.

• It's not personal: Remember that criticism of your work isn't about you as a person.

Don't try to change everything at once. Pick just one thing and stick with it for a couple weeks. Small changes add up fast.

If this helped you out, follow me on Twitter here where I share more about mindset and building profitable business. Feel free to let me know which of these you're trying first – your next big breakthrough might be right around the corner!