Boost your practice by upgrading your mindset
Mindset is a set of assumptions, methods, or notions held by one or more people or groups of people.
It is about individuality/self-identity, judgement, responsiveness and can also be seen as arising out of a person's world view or philosophy of life. For example, thinking that some things are not for me as well as thinking that some people are born lucky.
Latest neuroscience and positive psychology research show that success and outstanding performance are within everyone’s grasp because intelligence and ability can actually grow!
Growth mindset
Having the courage to take risks and be vulnerable in our lives through increased engagement, and encouraging research and innovation through networking and collaboration, is important in social work practice.
The growth mindset will help social workers build resilience and support transformation through use of resources within a strength-based approach.
A growth mindset in social work is creative, reflective and self-directed in learning as well as always finding solutions to problems - being active, not a passive observer.
A social work growth mindset should have room for developing skills as well as having the ability to deal with situations successfully and efficiently through communication, while also allowing individuals and groups to look at their skills (through skills audit reflective exercise).
Having a growth mindset helps social workers think on their feet working collaboratively with users of service, other professional and volunteers. Social work is complicated, requiring the need to dig deep into our skills and knowledge. Having a can-do attitude through persistence and accountability makes a big difference to those we support or work with.
A social work growth mindset advocates for mentorship. Peer support is among the pillars of practice development, enabling learning from the experienced as well as sharing learning and practice.
With a growth mindset, it is important to adhere to social work values of non- judgement. We should at the same time respect the diversity that exist across practice, as this help with the need to use resources within a strength-based approach, as outlined in The Care Act 2014.
The growth mindset will advocate for circular communication, as it will allow important information or any changes to be shared across the teams. It is important to note that encouraging participation across the board is important in social work practice, as it empowers individuals and groups. When people are consulted they feel valued, which increases productivity by enabling social workers to be agents of change rather than demotivated passive bystanders.
The growth mindset advocates for supportive supervision that ensure everyone’s voice is heard through feedback on matters of personal and professional development, as well as joint problem-solving through mentoring.
What can we do as social workers
- Start the day with a positive affirmation about yourself
- Develop a habit of self-validation appraising each other individually, in groups when there are positive outcomes and having periods of reflection where there are positive or negative results
- Learning from failings will create a safe space
- Focus on the good things, however small and celebrate
- Find humour - it’s important in social work practice
- Have a positive mindset – this makes positive thinking a habit. For example, transforming negative self-talk into positive self-talk (I can’t do this, I will try, it can be done etc)
- Surround yourself with positive people – mentors, and co-workers
- Praise efforts, rather than focus solely on results and pointing out fault
- Focus on the process – being in the present and enjoying it will help get the desired outcome one step at a time
- Continue searching for the silver lining and making the best out of any situation
- Work hard – dedication can lead to change, learning, and growth both now and in the future