AASP Blog

In elite sports, the mindset athletes carry into training and competition can be as influential as their physical preparation. While coaches and trainers work tirelessly to build skills, parents play a pivotal role in shaping the outlook their athletes adopt. 

One of the most valuable contributions parents can make is helping their athletes foster a growth mindset, a belief that abilities are developed and improved through effort, learning, and perseverance (Dweck, 2006). 

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset in Athletic Development

Individuals operating from a growth mindset tend to embrace challenges, persist after setbacks, and see effort as a pathway to mastery. They believe their abilities can develop and grow over time with effort. 

Those operating with a fixed mindset perceive their abilities as static traits that cannot change. They may resist difficult challenges to protect their self-image and avoid appearing inadequate (Yeager & Dweck, 2020). 

Elite athletes inherently encounter challenging feedback, competition, and failure, which can be fertile ground for growth. However, pressure to perform at the highest levels can lead to self-doubt and a fixed mindset, in which fear of failure keeps them from taking the critical risks that ultimately lead to growth. Dr. Carol Dweck’s years of research highlight the difference between growth and fixed mindsets. In fact, her work with the United Kingdom’s Blackburn Rovers football club demonstrated that early athlete success could lead to stagnation if players believe their skills are fixed rather than capable of development (Krakovsky, 2007). 

The Misuse of Growth Mindset: A Reality Check

Despite its popularity, a growth mindset is frequently misinterpreted as simply “trying hard” or “staying positive.” This misunderstanding dilutes its true impact. A growth mindset is not about embracing challenges indiscriminately or simply maintaining optimism—it is about deliberate learning, adaptability, and recognizing that setbacks are part of improvement (Dweck, 2016). 

Moreover, everyone is vulnerable to fixed mindset thinking, especially under pressure. An athlete who typically embraces challenges might suddenly fall into a fixed mindset when faced with a difficult skill, new competition for a roster spot, or public scrutiny of their performance. Circumstances that can be perceived as threats can pull an athlete into a fixed mindset. 

What Parents Can Do to Facilitate a Growth-Oriented Mindset

Parents have opportunities to witness their children overtime and find situations where words of support, thoughtful questions, and unconditional love can help them embrace a growth orientation. Here are a few tactical strategies. 

Recognize That Mindset Fluctuates 

• Avoid labeling athletes as having either a “growth mindset” or “fixed mindset.” Everyone experiences moments of self-doubt, rigidity, and avoidance when faced with pressure. Help them understand that they may approach some situations with a growth mindset and others with a fixed one. The important factor is becoming aware of which situations trigger a fixed mindset, since awareness is the first step toward change.
• Normalize the experience. Share examples of times when you struggled with fixed thinking and how you overcame it, making it clear that even experienced athletes and professionals have mindset challenges.

Frame Setbacks as Learning Opportunities

• Ask reflective questions. Instead of deflecting an athlete’s disappointment or frustration, ask questions such as:
  • “What can you learn from this experience?’
  • “How might you approach this differently next time?”
• Discuss challenges and setbacks productively. When an athlete says, “I’ll never be fast enough,” gently challenge these fixed thoughts by using the word “yet.” Reframing the statement to “You haven’t made the time yet” shifts the athlete’s focus toward progress and possibility (Dweck, 2014). 

Shift Praise from Talent to Effort and Strategy

• Avoid phrases such as “You’re such a great athlete,” which imply the athlete is naturally gifted and can reinforce a belief that ability is fixed, innate, and unchangeable. Instead, focus on specific processes that show adaptability and growth, such as:
  • “I noticed you took several shots with your left foot—how did that feel?”
  • “You stayed focused when things got tough. That kind of perseverance will serve you well.”
• Encourage athletes to reflect on their progress and track personal benchmarks     , rather than comparing themselves to others. Remind them that they are their own biggest competition. This is helpful for parents to remember      , since it is easy to comment on teammates’ talents. 

Promote Mastery Goals Over Performance Goals

• Help athletes identify mastery or process-oriented goals that focus on improving skills and generally involve behaviors within their control. Performance or outcome goals revolve around winning or outperforming others, which often involve elements outside of their control. 
• Help athletes set personal development benchmarks rather than external expectations. Examples include tracking progress on endurance, evaluating skill growth and precision, or developing tactical thinking rather than focusing solely on competition results. 
• Reinforce the idea that growth involves patience and perseverance. It requires learning, adapting, and expanding capabilities over time. 

Model Curiosity and Growth-Oriented Thinking

• Demonstrate how to approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear. A parent’s mindset influences how a child perceives growth and development.
• Avoid providing immediate solutions when athletes express frustration. Instead, guide them with open-ended questions, such as:
  • “What have you tried so far?
  • “What is one adjustment you could make?”
• Reinforce the idea that mastery is an evolving process.

A Partnership for Long-Term Growth Mindset Orientation

Fostering a growth mindset is not about shielding athletes from adversity but equipping them with the tools to interpret setbacks as learning opportunities rather than threats. When athletes learn to ask, “What can I take from this experience?” instead of “Does this mean I’m not good enough?”, they develop resilience that serves them well beyond sport (Fredricks & Eccles, 2004). 

Parents who embrace curiosity, encourage reflection, and model growth-oriented thinking create an environment where athletes feel safe to take risks and learn from failure. This mindset not only enhances athletic performance, but also contributes to psychological well-being, motivation, and lifelong adaptability (Dweck, 2017).

By partnering with their athletes in this way, parents become powerful allies in cultivating the kind of resilience and grit that sustain success—on and off the field.

References:

• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
• Dweck, C. S. (2014, November 13). The power of yet [Video]. TEDxNorrköping. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-swZaKN2Ic
• Dweck, C. S. (2016). What having a “growth mindset” actually means. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means
• Dweck, C. S. (2017). The journey to children’s mindsets—and beyond. Child Development Perspectives, 11(2), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12225
• Fredricks, J. A., & Eccles, J. S. (2004). Parental influences on youth involvement in sports. In M.R. Weiss (Ed.), Developmental Sport and Exercise psychology: A lifespan perspective (pp. 145–164). Fitness Information Technology.
• Krakovsky, M. (2007, March/April). The effort effect. Stanford Magazine. https://stanfordmag.org/contents/the-effort-effect
• Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2020). What can be learned from growth mindset controversies? American Psychologist, 75(9), 1269–1284. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000794