Photo Challenge: A GROWTH Mindset
“The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.” Carol S. Dweck

Photo Challenge: A GROWTH Mindset Japanese Peony & Beefsteak Tomatoes
The person who does the work is the ONLY one who learns! Harry Wong
The strongest principle of growth lies in the human choice. George Eliot
Our growth depends not on how many experiences we devour, but on how many we digest. Ralph W. Sockman
Growth is a life long experience/process and it is inevitable. Sometimes it is easy and, at other times, it is as hard as pulling teeth. Our mindset/mental attitude can help us or hinder our growth so we must be vigilant about our responses to the stimuli we receive. Like sunrise and sunset, we are in constant motion, and we either grow or we stagnate. When I think of examples of our growing process, I look to plant life as it is so easy to see how they thrive, strive and die each season… and then start the process all over again and again; they surrender to the process and reappear rejuvenated.
READ: Carol S. Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor E. Frankl

Photo Challenge: A GROWTH Mindset
Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle. Napoleon Hill
Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong. N. R. Narayana Murthy
Mindset change is not about picking up a few pointers here and there. It’s about seeing things in a new way. When people…change to a growth mindset, they change from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and-help-learn framework. Their commitment is to growth, and growth take plenty of time, effort, and mutual support.
The daily actions that aid our growth happen like clockwork: Without the air we breathe and the rising sun that stimulates the internal clock of much of life, we would be gone in no time… Our mindset plays a big role in it all. We can go with the flow, and perform our tasks with purpose or we can hinder our growth, by resisting every opportunity to move forward with our daily lives. Come back for more and enjoy the photos from my garden and yard. I will share more later.
More Below!
“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” Calvin Coolidge

Photo Challenge: A GROWTH Mindset – Japanese Peony & Beefsteak Tomatoes
Those who improve with age embrace the power of personal growth and personal achievement and begin to replace youth with wisdom, innocence with understanding, and lack of purpose with self-actualization. Bo Bennett
Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. James Cash Penney
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Benjamin Franklin
Gardening can be a great growth mindset stimulus: Gardening opens our minds and hearts to the very complex growth of all sorts of life forms; from slugs to seedlings, and all manner of plant life, gardeners see how they struggle and thrive… Such insight reminds us that the same complexities occur in human and wildlife too. Our process might appear seemingly different yet, ultimately, it is the same.
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: – GROWTH – This week, evoke the excitement of entering a new year with a photo that shows growth.
Positive Motivation Tip: Change your mindset, aid your growth
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
all these images of growth & spring awakenings have me desperate to get out of this winter weather!
Hahaha! Same here. I’m in a snowstorm right now and it is not pretty outside. Yikes!
I think this is the best mindset to have for the new year up ahead. We can learn and grow from, everything, right?
Yes, Indeed. We can learn and grow from a lot… everything.
That is why I think discipline is important for growth. It aids you to understand your limits and acts as a booster in your mind set. Kind of like a reward system, you end pleased with yourself that you went all the way and didn’t give up of give in. I like the quote form Narayana Murthy, quite inspiring. 🙂
Thank you Helene! 🙂
We had some acreage when I lived up north so gardening was a given. I’m in a condo now and don’t even have a yard. I do miss it.
I can imagine. Try container gardening Rosey. It can be satisfying too
This is a great post! 2017 was the biggest year of growth for me and I am sure this year will bring more! Your photos are amazing.
I love reading your posts, they are always so inspirational! I love gardening and this post has me super excite for spring and summer now!
Oh so kind of you… I love the spring too. 🙂
This is the perfect mindset for the start of the year. and also the opportunity to reflect on the past one to learn and grow from there. Growth can have so many meanings. i’d love to grow a garden (if only i had my own house) or just grow myself! coz there is still so much i don’t know!
Gardening is such a soul stirrer..
I’ve never gardened before but now I’m really tempted! Seems like a perfect way to visualize growth.
A growth mindset is definitely what i need to have in 2018. I love all these images they definitely depict growth.
Beautiful examples of growth. Also a great way to explore slowing down in life and enjoying the true beauty the mother earth has to offer us, because with each passing second she is changing .
And we change with her.. <3
This is such a fun idea from a post. I love the idea of using a garden for your growth analogy.
I think stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zone is key to helping ourselves grow and expand ourselves…. we can learn so much by looking within ourselves and our experiences….
That is accurate. I always say try a new idea, food, way of being each day.
As a teacher, we often talk about kids needing to have a “growth mindset”. They need to realize that they never stop learning.. and can learn or do anything with just a little practice.
And adults too! True.
This is the perfect message and motivation for the year we’ve just started, growth. Thanks for sharing this with such pretty images.
Thank you Norah for your positive and supportive feedback. You life me up always.
I am past my 50s but I am still growing. I think it’s something that we should never stop doing. Growth can mean so many things, and right now, I am focusing on my spiritual growth.
Yes, we must all stay in the growth or die.
I wonder why we must go through continuous effort and struggle to grow? It seems like we get more knowledge, intellect etc and then our time is done. We could get so much more accomplished if we were born intelligent. Not that I’m questing God as I know in his infinite wisdom he has a reason for everything. Love the garden example.
Hahah! Th mind of God is complex for sure
Love this post! I too relate to growth as gardening and agree of its inevitability. When we understand that growth is part of our journey as human beings, we can choose to stop fighting it and allow transformation to deepen our awakening. ❤️
I concur… the more I thought about it, the more gardening made so much sense. 🙂
I love these photos. The tomato and deer make me think of spring awakening.
Me too…
Beautiful and inspiring photos in this one! I love looking at a photo of something when it is small, and then after it grows. Definitely an experience. And a struggle. But it can be beautiful!
Thank you so much!
gorgeous collage. I especially enjoyed the detail about the deer. It just added something else to it 🙂 Really appreciated it!
Thank you!
I love you photos moments. Growth is great and I always reflect and refocus which helps be to grow to my maximum potential x
Amen to that!
Love the photos you shared! Makes me want for spring to come sooner! 🙂
Hahaha … same here
I love all the quotes you included here, they were simple and inspiring, the message is very clear and easy to understand too. Growth mindset is hard to achieve especially in challenging times of life but being optimistic to learn it is very possible.
That is why I do this work… it is a process and we learn every day. Thank you dear one!
I always think of the turtle/rabbit story for inspiration for growth. It does come fast for some people, but for the majority of us it’s hard work and persistence that pays.
True Rosey!
This is a great idea and there are some lovely bright and happy pictures here 🙂
Growth definitely takes some time when it comes down to it. Sometimes the journey is easy and other times it has bumps in it. This is so inspiring!
As silly as it sounds I never linked gardening to self growth but it toally makes sense. I am always open to learning, growing and becoming a better version of myself. You are inspiring as always 🙂
You inspire me too!
What a great post about growth mindset. We can learn more and grow more from a lot of things. and I really love your photo collage.
TY Agnes!
This is exactly the mindset I have to have in 2018. Challenges will always be on the way, be it is the way we see them and overcome them that counts. a Growth mindset is everything!
That such a great mindset to have for new year. Good intentions and growth! Although the weather is dampening my mindset right now hahah
What a motivating post. I agree that one’s mindset is so important in how they embrace and interpret personal growth. I’ve also been meaning to start a garden and this is motivating me to do it. 🙂
I got the pulling teeth method down. Now if I can just get out of this zone and move ahead, ill have a great year! LOL
I love one of the quotes you put above the strongest principle about growth lies in human choice. I definitely believe this is very true. I always enjoy your posts, thank you for sharing them.
Wow these are stunning and most definitely great growth images for a healthy 2018 start.
What an inspirational post. All this talk of growth, along with your vibrant and beautiful pictures have me wishing for a warm spring day. It’s about 3 degrees here and this post definitely warmed me from the inside.
Hahah!glad it helped.:)
I liked the quote of Calvin Coolidge that all growth depends upon activity! I believe that even if we don’t succeed, we learn from our failures. Only we need to have a positive mindset in order to face any challenges in our lives!
It’s so true! Growth happens only with continuous struggle and challenge to move forward. Every little step counts!
Great sentiments here. Growth and purpose are my buzzwords for this year and beyond! Happy new Year!
Great choice of words.
You always have such inspirational posts that really push me to think more positively.
I agree that resisting every opportunity to move forward can hinder our growth. Having a growth mindset is so freeing, nothing can stagnate you but self.We can accomplish so much with the right mindset. .I love your pictures.
Thank you! I concur. 🙂
Hi Eliz,
This post was so inspiring, and so true.
Happy New Year!
Hey Tracy! Thank you and likewise. 🙂
It is so important to have a mindset that supports constant effort. People with this mindset see every challenge as an opportunity to grow. I loved the example of plant life in this post!
Thank you. I love gardening and greenery so they come to mind a lot.
Growth is a life long experience/process and it is inevitable. This is so true. Some people have this stagnant deal/ stereotype of a perception of things, situation or of a person that they fail to realize growth is happening and change is constant.
True. we all have those moments.
Your motivation tip, ‘Change your mindset, aid your growth’ signifies so well. This is all depends on my mindset how I carry myself in life.
It sure does.
I think this is the awakening of the new year of everything through your wonderful images. I always keep track of your posts, really inspiring.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Beautiful and inspiring article on the growth that’s happening but it’s not easy at all. I like how you compared our struggles to the seasonal growth of flowers that die at the wnd and the whole process starts again. „Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong” – this is so so true! Change is a good thing although it may not be that obviosu from the very start.
True… it takes effort.
Our mind can help or hinder growth for sure. I’ve started daily meditations and they’ve helped me so far to be more mindful.
Meditation is great for calming the mind and nurturing the body
If you want growth, you have to move and work. Totally agree with everything you said in here.
Thanks Ron… we do.
These inspirational words and pictures were just what I needed, while I’m stuck at home during a snow storm. Thank you
Same here… lots of snow
All these photos of flowers and veggies really making me want to get out into my garden already. Can’t wait for the spring to make it’s appearance!
I hear you… we are snowed in so I miss spring too.
I love your comparison of us to sunrise and sunset. We are in constant motion. So true! Thanks for motivation and inspiration!
Hahaha! We are the sun and the moon and the stars…
I loved this!! This year is definitely about growth! Your post inspired me even more!!
Terrific. All the best!
A growth mindset is key this time of year. I am certainly learning that myself.
Yes, we all are. 🙂
Love your pictures! And I found your post really inspiring. I am going to keep this quote on my desk as a constant reminder “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” Calvin Coolidge” Thanks for sharing,
Glad you enjoyed it!
I completely agree with your statement that “growth /change is painful ” . When somebody changes their mindset /thoughts or outlook regarding something then it demands much maturity of that person; and maturity can never be gained without experience of life, which is mostly painful rather being beautiful always.
Exactly… thank you!
Pushing our boundaries of comfort zone and thriving in it, is what is growth is all about. If we thrive, we grow!
I would love to have a garden so I can grow my own flowers! I love the whole idea of it,
everything about it is symbolical and it’s applicable to the real life.
I love these beautiful examples of growth! I felt super accomplished when I grew my own garden this year. Not to mention the hundreds of other little things one can do everyday to continue growing. 🙂
I love the Sockman quote the most. Yup! We can nibble at things but if never fully immersing into it, it’s hust fragmented. So meaningful!
It’s really ironic to read this post! I have also just blogged about change and growth. In fact, my phrase for 2018 is “change and growth,” so your post is really timely. We really can’t grow without going through some pain, and even though it’s not enjoyable at the time, if we push through it, we can enjoy the fruit of our labors!
I concur… hence growing pains. 🙂
My bf complained about how his 2017 passed by and was so cramped up that he felt like it’s been 3 years. I told him that it’s called growing up~ The plant analogy is something I will want to share with him too!
“Growth is a lifelong process….” Absolute truth! And I’m definitely learning that it is never easy. Thanks for this reminder in this New Year.
Inspiring post. Definitely helpful for me. Happy new year.
Yes! I love this because this time of year is definitely about growth. This makes me want spring even more!
Those flowers are so beautiful.. It’s truly important to hv a growth mindset…
What a great perspective. It is important to always grow and look towards growth and focus on that.
I agree…