Initially, the focus was on personal development in the podcast with Sherae Long on Personal Development in 2024. This story is developing to have a growth mindset as we age and move toward retirement, a more targeted focus. What does personal development look like? Is having a growth mindset necessary for personal development?

First, we want to clarify what a growth mindset is and how it impacts change in your life. A growth mindset: Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset.

Is having a growth mindset simply about being willing to learn something new? Aging and moving into retirement are about learning to live life on a different basis. It is important to acknowledge changes – whether positive or negative is insignificant. The information gathered comes from the premiere authority on fixed and growth mindsets, Carol Dweck. Her take on this comes from years of research. Carol’s article on the subject linked in this paragraph states that everyone has a fixed mindset in some areas and a growth mindset in other areas. The point is to find out where you are fixed and why. The article written by Carol Dweck was published in the Harvard Business Review seven years ago.

Psychology Today expounds with tips on how a growth mindset helps the aging brain. In this article, it has been determined that in every stage of life, it is important. The opposite is believing that no abilities can be changed through effort. Neuroplasticity is a building block of the development of the brain at all ages, including aging.

Successful aging has several facets. The target group is in their fifties and sixties. The study explores the thought processes of the people in this age group. Many reported being happy at this point in their life.

A growth mindset, based on the definition presented here, moves you toward learning new things because you can change. The definition is not based on age. Therefore, aging should not be an excuse not to improve upon your abilities. Having a growth mindset is a choice to do better. It is a choice to learn new ways of doing things and to have new experiences.

The quote from Thomas Bertram Lance says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is not a digression. It is a point to remember when you evaluate where you are and how to move forward.”