Day 113: Cultivating a Growth Mindset

The Little Engine That Could: A Tale of Transformation

“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” These five words, repeated with conviction by a small blue engine, have resonated with generations. The Little Engine That Could, first published in the early 20th century, is more than a feel-good children’s tale. It is a blueprint for adopting one of the most powerful inner tools for transformation: the growth mindset.

At its core, the story centers on a little engine asked to do something far beyond her expected capacity: pull a long train over a mountain when larger, more powerful engines have refused. What makes this story enduring isn’t just the happy ending, but the process. The little engine succeeds not because she was the strongest, but because she believed that trying mattered. She believed that effort was meaningful. She believed that growth was possible.

This is the heart of a growth mindset, and it’s something we can all cultivate.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

Psychologist Carol Dweck coined the term “growth mindset” to describe the belief that intelligence, abilities, and talents are not fixed traits, but can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. In contrast, a fixed mindset holds that abilities are static and unchangeable, often leading to avoidance of challenge, fear of failure, and limited personal development.

A growth mindset invites us to shift the way we see setbacks and struggle. Instead of interpreting difficulty as a sign of inadequacy, we see it as a natural part of learning. We stop asking, “Am I good at this?” and start asking, “What can I learn from this?”

The Power of "I Think I Can"

When we recall the mantra of the little engine, we hear more than optimism; we hear the quiet voice of inner belief. That phrase isn’t about arrogance or certainty. It’s about possibility.

“I think I can” creates space for effort. It invites curiosity and courage. It assumes growth. This perspective is essential if we want to cultivate a life rooted in renewal. Because renewal requires change, and change requires challenge.

What we learn from the little engine is that even in the face of doubt—when others have said no or dismissed us as incapable—we can choose a different story. We can try. We can commit to the path, not the outcome.

Where Mindsets Begin

Our mindset is not something we are born with. It is shaped by our environment, our experiences, and the messages we absorb about success, failure, and identity. Often, those with a fixed mindset were praised for being smart or naturally talented, which can create pressure to always appear successful. Others may have internalized criticism or trauma that made challenge feel like danger rather than growth.

Just like the little engine, many of us start the journey unsure of our strength. But we can unlearn fixed scripts and cultivate something new.

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

1. Normalize Struggle
Every meaningful growth process includes difficulty. When we hit a wall, we can say, “This is hard because I’m growing,” rather than “This is hard because I’m failing.”

2. Celebrate Effort, Not Outcome
Shift your focus from results to process. Praise yourself for trying, being curious, and sticking with something—even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly.

3. Reframe Failure
Failure is feedback. Ask, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “What does this say about me?”

4. Challenge Limiting Language
Notice phrases like “I’m just not good at this” or “I’ll never figure it out.” Replace them with “I’m learning” or “I haven’t mastered it yet.”

5. Surround Yourself With Growth-Oriented Voices
The little engine was alone in her effort, but you don’t have to be. Seek out people who value learning, cheer for effort, and model resilience.

6. Reflect on Past Growth
Look back on something you once struggled with but now do with ease. Let that be proof that you are capable of transformation.

Real-Life Examples of Growth Mindset in Action

Sara Blakely: Before founding Spanx and becoming the world's youngest self-made female billionaire, Sara Blakely sold fax machines door-to-door and faced countless rejections. She credits her father for teaching her to embrace failure as a sign of growth. Blakely kept a journal of her ideas and used setbacks as lessons. Her story shows how resilience, creative problem-solving, and belief in personal evolution can lead to remarkable breakthroughs.

Michael Jordan: Often cited as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan was famously cut from his high school varsity basketball team. Rather than accepting defeat, he used the rejection as motivation. His relentless work ethic and mindset toward continuous improvement are legendary. As he once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Bethany Hamilton: At age 13, Bethany Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing. Doctors and peers questioned whether she would ever surf again. Undeterred, she was back on her board within a month. She went on to become a professional surfer, author, and motivational speaker. Her story embodies the essence of a growth mindset; not allowing a devastating setback to define her limits, but using it as a catalyst for resilience, innovation, and purpose.

The Science Behind the Shift

Carol Dweck’s research at Stanford University found that students praised for effort, rather than intelligence, showed more resilience in the face of challenges. In contrast, those praised for being "smart" were more likely to avoid difficulty for fear of appearing less capable.

Growth mindset has been linked to improvements in academic performance, athletic achievement, emotional regulation, and workplace satisfaction. Neuroscience supports this as well: studies show that our brains are more plastic than once believed. We continue to form new neural pathways throughout our lives. Effort and repetition truly reshape our capacity.

According to a 2019 study published in Nature, individuals who believed they could improve their cognitive abilities actually did. Over time, their performance increased simply by shifting their belief structure. This is not about magical thinking; it’s about understanding that belief influences behavior, and behavior shapes outcomes.

Writing a New Story

To cultivate a growth mindset is to rewrite the narrative that says "this is just how I am." Instead, it asks us to begin saying, "this is who I am becoming."

Just like The Little Engine That Could, we are not defined by our size, strength, or starting point. We are defined by what we’re willing to believe about our own capacity for change.

So next time you stand at the base of a hill, remember this: no step forward is too small. No climb is too steep when taken with intention. The engine didn't conquer the mountain in one surge; it did it one determined breath at a time.

Final Reflection

• What belief about your limits are you ready to question?

• What area of your life would benefit from more curiosity and less judgment?

• What would your life look like if you approached each challenge as a chance to grow?

Keep this with you: “I think I can” is more than a chant; it’s a mindset. And in every quiet act of persistence, you are becoming something stronger.

If you found value in this reflection, pass it along to someone climbing their own hill. And visit Lucivara.com daily for more insights into personal renewal.

Bibliography

• Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House, 2006.

• Yeager, David S., et al. “A national experiment reveals where a growth mindset improves achievement.” Nature, vol. 573, 2019, pp. 364–369.

• Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner, 2016.