Hey there! I’m Mike Rashid King, and today we’re diving into something really cool: the growth mindset. It’s all about how you can use your superpower—your perspective—to become the best version of yourself. Let’s explore how changing the way you think can change your life!
A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your abilities through hard work and dedication. People with this mindset see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. On the flip side, a fixed mindset is when people believe their abilities are set in stone and can’t change. But here’s the truth: anyone can grow and improve!
Your perspective is like a superpower. It helps you navigate life’s ups and downs. When you have a flexible perspective, you can handle challenges with a smile and use them to build yourself up. Think of it as seeing problems not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to becoming stronger and wiser.
People with a growth mindset love challenges. They know that effort is part of the journey and that every challenge is a chance to learn something new. They listen to feedback, motivate their friends, and understand that their environment plays a big role in their development. Even if you start from a tough place, you can build resilience and determination.
Let me share a story from my life. About 12 years ago, I was homeless and had lost everything because of my own choices. Instead of blaming others, I took responsibility. I did a lot of inner work, like meditating and reflecting on my life. I took on humble jobs to get back on my feet and used my problems as motivation to improve myself.
Part of growing is owning up to your mistakes. If you’ve hurt someone, apologize sincerely. Write them a letter or talk to them in person. Even if they’re not ready to forgive you, knowing you’ve done your part will clear your conscience.
Did you know your brain can change and grow? It’s called neuroplasticity. This means your intelligence and skills aren’t fixed—they can be developed with effort. You can always change how you respond to things and become better at handling challenges.
Let’s focus on positive self-talk. I have a mantra: “Only good things happen to me.” This mindset helps me see every situation as a chance to grow. I want you to try it too. Say it with me: “Only good things happen to me.”
Remember, your perspective is your superpower. Use it to embrace a growth mindset and unlock your full potential. You’ve got this!
Peace and love to you all!
Start a journal where you reflect on your daily experiences. Write about a challenge you faced and how you approached it. Did you use a growth mindset? If not, how could you have changed your perspective? This will help you track your progress and see how your mindset evolves over time.
In pairs, create a short skit where one person demonstrates a fixed mindset and the other a growth mindset in response to a challenge. Perform your skit for the class and discuss how the growth mindset approach can lead to better outcomes.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand neuroplasticity. Choose a new skill, like juggling or drawing, and practice it for 10 minutes every day for a week. Record your progress and reflect on how your brain adapts and improves with practice.
Create a list of positive affirmations that you can use daily. Share them with the class and discuss how positive self-talk can influence your mindset and actions. Practice saying these affirmations out loud to reinforce a positive outlook.
Think of a situation where you may have hurt someone or made a mistake. Write a letter of apology, even if you don’t send it. Reflect on how taking responsibility and seeking forgiveness can help you grow and improve your relationships.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music] Peace everyone. My name is Mike Rashid King, and this is a special edition of After Skool. I’m a former professional boxer, an entrepreneur in the wellness space, and the host of the Civil Mind Savage Body podcast. It’s a podcast where we explore topics that expand consciousness, increase health, and share ideas from the world’s top thought leaders.
I often tell people that they all have a superpower, and that superpower is called perspective. If your perspective has dexterity while navigating this ocean called life, you will flow, you will smile, and everything you encounter will build you up to the Superman or Superwoman that you have the capacity to be.
Today’s episode is about growth mindset and the power of perspective and forgiveness. I want to talk to you about growth mindset because it’s very important. A growth mindset is an attribute of people who are self-made. There is an opposing side to that called a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset have a more negative perspective on life and on their position in life. They believe that people are born the way they are, and that’s it. They couldn’t be more wrong.
Let me tell you what a growth mindset is and the characteristics of those who embrace it. We view problems as opportunities—opportunities to learn and to gain wisdom. Life is always an exciting journey. We know that abilities can be developed with practice and that there are endless opportunities to learn and grow. We are not afraid to try new things, and we encourage children to develop any new skills they are interested in because it teaches them how to learn.
We listen to feedback, love challenges, and understand that effort is part of the journey of life. We motivate our friends and peers, solve problems, and recognize that nurture is more important than nature. Your environment should enhance your development. When your beginnings are not ideal, you develop a stronger work ethic and drive than someone who has had an easier path. You become more resilient and harder to deter.
I want to share a personal story. About 12 years ago, I found myself in a difficult situation—I was homeless and had lost everything. This was due to my own decisions and inactions. I never complained to anyone because I had to own my situation. During that time, I did a lot of inner work. I meditated and prayed, which is a form of meditation. I fasted, not intentionally, but because I often had no money for food.
Even though I wasn’t consciously fasting or meditating, I was doing a lot of healing for myself. I took on humbling jobs to get back on my feet. I felt hopelessness, depression, anger, and fear, but I rejected those feelings. I used my problems as motivation. I could have blamed others for my situation, but I chose to take responsibility.
You should never blame anyone but yourself for your shortcomings. Own it and work on improving yourself. Identify your deficiencies and make a plan to address them. Before you start your journey, take inventory of everyone in your life. Reflect on your relationships and if you’ve hurt anyone, write them a letter to apologize. There is something therapeutic about this process.
Once you’ve done that, if possible, talk to the person in person, give them a sincere apology, and ask for forgiveness. If they are not ready to forgive you, that’s okay. As long as your apology is sincere, your conscience will be clear.
Now, back to the topic of a growth mindset. Neuroscience shows that the brain grows the more you train it. Intelligence and skills can be developed with effort. Our brains are not fixed; they are malleable. There’s a concept called neuroplasticity, which explains that we are the sum total of our decisions and habits.
You can always change who you are and how you respond to things. It’s challenging, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Problems are opportunities for us to become stronger, wiser, and gain a more robust perspective. Perspective is a superpower. It’s shaped by your experiences, values, and current state of mind.
When you have a growth mindset, you see problems as opportunities. Those with a fixed mindset avoid problems out of fear and believe that intelligence and talent are fixed traits. They are afraid of failing, avoid feedback, and take the easy way out.
Let’s stop casting negative thoughts on ourselves. Only positive self-talk from now on. I have a mantra: “Only good things happen to me.” Every situation in my life has been an opportunity for growth. I want you all to embody this mindset. So, say it with me: “Only good things happen to me.”
All right, I love you all. Peace. [Music]
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains the core message of the original transcript.
Growth – The process of developing or improving one’s abilities and understanding over time. – Embracing a growth mindset helps students learn from their mistakes and become better learners.
Mindset – A set of beliefs or attitudes that shape how a person thinks and behaves. – Having a positive mindset can greatly influence how you handle difficult situations.
Perspective – A particular attitude or way of viewing something. – Understanding different perspectives can help you resolve conflicts more effectively.
Challenges – Difficult tasks or situations that require effort and determination to overcome. – Facing challenges with courage can lead to personal growth and success.
Resilience – The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks. – Building resilience helps you bounce back stronger after facing adversity.
Determination – The firmness of purpose and the resolve to achieve a goal. – Her determination to succeed in school inspired her classmates to work harder.
Forgiveness – The act of letting go of resentment or anger towards someone who has wronged you. – Practicing forgiveness can lead to healthier relationships and personal peace.
Neuroplasticity – The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. – Understanding neuroplasticity can help students realize that they can improve their skills with practice.
Self-talk – The internal dialogue that occurs within one’s mind, influencing thoughts and behaviors. – Positive self-talk can boost your confidence and help you overcome challenges.
Potential – The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success. – Every student has the potential to achieve great things with effort and perseverance.
