Every psychologist’s journey looks different. I call myself an unlikely academic, as my journey to becoming a professor does not fit the mold or typical academic path. It’s just that — not being typical and forging my own path has led me to where I am. I’ve often been asked by students, trainees, and mentees, “How did you get to where you are?” and I would sum it up by saying, “I lived life outside of my comfort zone and stayed true to myself.”
Throughout my life, my comfort zone has expanded into new areas. I’ve literally moved from Michigan to Buffalo, D.C., Florida, Kansas, and California. I was the first in my family to attend college, which shaped my life in a way different from my upbringing. It was the first time I made a significant decision, and despite the uncertainty, I believed it would open the opportunities necessary for me to create a successful future. For those who know my story (see blog post “My Personal Grit Story”), they know I grew up in very humble beginnings with a single mother in a small mid-west city, and played soccer most of my early life and into young adulthood. These experiences were key to shaping my character and my life path.
What was it in the 18-year-old me that made the decision to move from the familiar into the unknown? What was it in the younger me that had the persistence, determination, and willingness to take all the steps to navigate higher education? Fast forward 27 years, and I’m still making intentional decisions that take me out of my comfort zone and align with my values of service, personal growth, and continuous learning. It’s the same in sport as it is in life — we only grow when we stop being comfortable and start getting uncomfortable in pursuit of our goals, which are driven by our values. If I had to pinpoint the qualities that fuel my drive in life, it would be a growth mindset, grit, and a beginner’s mindset.
Let’s take a look at these qualities separately and reflect on the times you have embodied them to accomplish your goals.
Growth Mindset, a term coined by Carol Dweck, embodies:
- A belief that intelligence and abilities are not fixed but can be developed through hard work, strategies, and learning.
- I often tell myself, “I can learn anything, it’ll just take time, repetition, consistency, and commitment.”
- Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
- When I feel challenged, I often ask myself, “What is this situation, person, or issue teaching or shaping in me?”
- Seeing setbacks as temporary and a cue to change strategies or work harder, not as a reflection of their inherent ability.
- When I am rejected or denied an opportunity, I often remind myself, “Rejection is redirection. Every ‘no’ is for a greater YES. Now get back to work and look for different options.”
- Understanding that effort is the path to mastery.
- When I question whether it’s worth it or why I am not seeing results, I remind myself, “No effort ever goes wasted, every little action, step, and intention is powerful.”
- Seeing feedback as a chance to learn and improve.
- When I receive uncomfortable feedback or criticism, I first consider the source and then remind myself, “Failure is feedback.”
Now let’s look at grit. Grit, as defined by Angela Duckworth, says:
“Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance for very long-term goals, which is a crucial predictor of achievement, even more so than talent or intelligence. Grit enables individuals to maintain effort and interest over time, overcome setbacks, and work towards mastery.”
Lastly, Beginner’s Mind (shoshin) is a concept from Zen Buddhism:
“refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying, even at an advanced level, just as a beginner would…The practice of beginner’s mind acts as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with thinking of oneself as an expert. This includes the Einstellung effect, where a person becomes so accustomed to a certain way of doing things that they do not consider or acknowledge new ideas or approaches.”
These traits, on their own, are pretty incredible, but in combination, they’re unstoppable! I share this because so much of the world feels out of our control, but we can still choose how we will respond to an unrelenting world. We can still choose to train our mindsets to see opportunity when there are obstacles. Much of the study of positive psychology focuses on character strengths that humans share, which help us overcome adversity.
Grit, growth mindset, and beginner’s mind have been vital to my success in sport, family, and career. Mind you, there is much more in my personal history that shapes me, but I believe in common humanity and that we all have the ability to effectively respond to life’s adversities. In the words of Wayne Dyer, “When you change the way you see things. The things you see change.” I encourage you to examine yourself and invest in cultivating attitudes, mindsets, and qualities that will help you and your community in this changing world. Oh, and don’t forget to tap into joy, fun, and play along the way!
Keep shining!
Dr. P
P.S. A few weeks ago, my husband and I raced in the Urban Cow 5k race, and I won my age group! “Age ain’t nothing but a number.” I’m also excited to announce that I was recently promoted to Associate Professor! I am truly living my dream and sharing all I know along the way.
Additional resources:
Approaching Life with Beginner’s Mind By Leo Babauta
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8&t=2s
Duckworth, Angela & Peterson, Christopher & Matthews, Michael & Kelly, Dennis. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 92. 1087-1101. 10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087.
Dweck CS, Yeager DS. Mindsets: A View From Two Eras. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2019 May;14(3):481-496. doi: 10.1177/1745691618804166. Epub 2019 Feb 1. PMID: 30707853; PMCID: PMC6594552.
Dr. Gloria Petruzzelli, Psy.D., PMH-C 
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