Some people believe talent is everything—that you either have it or you don’t. Others understand that effort, persistence, and learning from mistakes are what truly lead to growth. This difference in thinking isn’t just about motivation; it’s about how we’ve been conditioned to see ourselves, often starting with the feedback we receive from others.
How Praise Shapes Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck has extensively studied how feedback shapes our mindset and approach to challenges. Her research shows that people who receive feedback focused on intelligence or talent often avoid difficult challenges to protect their self-image, fearing that failure might mean they aren’t as capable as they thought. In contrast, those who receive feedback based on effort are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and ultimately achieve more.
For example, imagine two students taking a difficult math test. One is told, “You’re so smart!” while the other hears, “You worked really hard on this!” The student praised for being smart may start to associate success with natural ability and avoid harder problems in the future, fearing failure. Meanwhile, the student praised for their hard work is more likely to take on challenges, knowing that effort—not just innate skill—drives improvement.
It’s Not Just for Kids: Why Effort-Based Feedback Matters for Adults
As adults, we’re just as affected by feedback as we were when we were kids—maybe even more. We have careers, relationships, and personal goals, and it’s easy to tie our self-worth to how well we’re doing in each of those areas. Think about it: how often do you feel like your success (or failure) defines you? Whether it’s crushing a big work project, hitting a fitness goal, or learning something new, we tend to measure our value by the end result.
But here’s the thing—failure isn’t a reflection of who you are. It’s just part of the process. When we shift our focus from the outcome to the effort we put in, we start to separate our identity from our achievements. Every setback becomes a lesson rather than a personal shortcoming.
Effort-based feedback helps reframe how we see challenges. Instead of avoiding difficulties because we’re afraid of failing, we learn to embrace them as opportunities for growth. This shift is powerful because it puts the focus on what we can control—our effort—rather than getting stuck in the fear of making mistakes.
How to Shift Your Mindset Today
Ready to start thinking differently? Here are a few ways to make effort-based feedback a part of your daily life:
Change how you talk to yourself. Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at this,” try, “I haven’t figured this out yet.” That one word—yet—turns a dead end into a possibility.
Recognize the work, not just the win. If you complete a tough project, don’t just celebrate the result. Acknowledge the effort, the late nights, and the learning that got you there.
Take on new challenges—even if you fail. The next time you hesitate to try something difficult, ask yourself: “Am I avoiding this because I’m afraid of failing?” If the answer is yes, go for it anyway. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, success isn’t about being born with something special. It’s about being willing to work for it. How we see our abilities—whether we think they’re fixed or something we can develop—shapes the way we tackle challenges, bounce back from failure, and ultimately, how much we grow.
So next time you’re struggling with something new, ask yourself: Am I giving up because I think I’m not naturally good at this? Or am I willing to put in the effort to improve? Because in the long run, effort always wins.
🔗Ready to start building strength from the inside out? Check out Episode 8 of Mind &
Motion: The Power of Effort-Based Feedback with Dr. Tomi Mitchell on YouTube, where we explore how to strengthen both your mind and body for true resilience.
👉 Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on each new episode!
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