Reimagining the Growth Mindset in Retirement

The notion of having a “growth” mindset, emphasizing the power of effort and resilience to achieve success, is promoted as a universal answer, at least in the education arena. Positive psychology research has highlighted the benefits of this mindset, showing how it fosters the embrace of challenges, persistence in the face of setbacks, and the view of failure as an opportunity for growth. 

But there's another mindset worth exploring as we navigate our sixties and beyond– the "experiment" mindset.

Embracing the "Experiment" Mindset

I've found the "experiment" mindset to be more helpful at this stage of my life. My husband, a scientist, embodies this mindset in his daily life, approaching tasks in the garden, kitchen, or even with gas mileage as opportunities for experimentation. This mindset allows him to release the grip of perfectionism and cultivate curiosity. Instead of dwelling on a failed endeavor, he reflects on the lessons learned from the experiment. And happily tries again by changing the variables.

Like the growth mindset, the "experiment" mindset alleviates the pressure to do everything perfectly. As a natural rule follower, I often find myself disheartened when adherence to a set of guidelines doesn't yield the desired results. However, embracing the “life is an experiment” approach invites curiosity about outcomes rather than rigid expectations.

Applying the "Experiment" Mindset

My husband has taught me that practical experimentation involves manipulating one variable at a time to understand the outcomes truly. For instance, when grappling with middle-of-the-night insomnia, my tendency is to alter multiple factors simultaneously–change the room temperature, take magnesium, get evening sunlight, etc–leading to confusion about what actually worked. Adopting an experimental mindset would have involved tweaking one element at a time to gather meaningful data.

Entering our sixties presents an opportune time to adopt this mindset. Whether you've recently retired or are on the brink of it, experimenting with various activities, commitments, and routines can offer valuable insights. Instead of overwhelming yourself with numerous obligations, try adding or adjusting one variable at a time. For instance, if you feel disconnected after changing your work roles or no longer being involved with your adult children daily, consider adding a new connection, like joining an exercise class or volunteering at a food bank. Assess the impact of each addition before incorporating more changes. And remember, it’s okay not to like something or not to feel satisfied by it. Stop doing it and experiment with something else. Take some time for self-reflection. What’s working for you? What’s missing?

Flexibility and Openness

I think the guidance of Zen master Suzuki Roshi is helpful here: “What we’re doing here is so important we had better not take it too seriously!” Most of us have been trapped by “optimizing” every second of our busy days. Adopting this “Experiment” mindset allows us to play with our commitments and our activities. We’ve already achieved so much. This is a time in our lives to try new ways of doing things. That doesn’t mean what we are doing isn’t necessary, but we can relax a little–make some mistakes, go down to the wrong streets–without dire consequences. And maybe unexpected results.

Conclusion

As we proceed with some trepidation into our sixties and beyond, let's embrace the "experiment" mindset. And if you find yourself having trouble adopting a more playful attitude, you might seek support and guidance from others who seem to be managing this time of life in ways you want to emulate.

Share your experiments and learnings in the comments as you embark on this journey of exploration and discovery.

Remember, it's never too late to try something new and uncover what brings fulfillment in the present moment.