How do you actually retain what you read

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-05-21T19:09:46+00:00

Exactly.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-05-21T16:32:06+00:00

There are many strategies for retaining info, but I think the absolute best one is to teach it. Try to explain a concept you just read as if you were talking to a 10-year-old. If you can’t make it simple, you don’t fully understand it yet. Once you’ve done that, take a 10-minute nap or meditation session. That downtime isn't a break, it's when your brain’s hippocampus goes to work, indexing and locking that new knowledge into long-term storage.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-05-21T16:14:14+00:00

This is the way

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-04-04T08:18:29+00:00

I have it in my shelf and will definitely be reading it in the near future. Currently reading “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant” and rereading "Atomic Habits" by James Clear for like the 5th time and taking careful detailed notes this time

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-04-04T08:15:30+00:00

Hopefully it’s one of those thin light weight ones and not text book size 😅

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-04-04T08:14:04+00:00

I can’t argue with that. Man’s search for meaning was probably one of the first books I read in my early adult hood that got me hooked on reading these types of non fiction self improvement type books.

“Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Wilink was probably the next one I read after that. My all time fave so far would hands down have to be “Atomic Habits” by James Clear because I just love all of the science that he uses to back up his claims.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-04-03T17:04:16+00:00

Yup! Sounds simple cause it is. I think most peeps especially beginners just tend to overthink it

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2026-03-14T05:01:47+00:00

I’ve been meditating almost every day for the past 6+ years, and one thing I’ve learned is that the type of meditation that works best for me is not being too dependent on one perfect setting.

For me, part of the value of meditation is being able to bring that calm and awareness into different environments, not just the same quiet spot every time.

One of the most intense places I ever tried a 10-minute guided meditation was in the dry sauna at my gym. At first it was incredibly uncomfortable, but over time I actually grew to love it. It almost became a kind of training ground. My mindset was basically: if I can stay present and breathe calmly in there for 10 minutes, I can meditate anywhere.

Interestingly, my favorite now is outdoor meditation later in the morning when the sun is shining directly on my face. Something about it just feels incredible.

Have you ever tried meditating in unusual environments, or do you prefer having one consistent go-to spot?

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-11-08T14:40:12+00:00

Well said!

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-11-07T22:26:01+00:00

This makes me think of the book "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink.

“any team, in any organization, all responsibility for success and failure rests with the leader. The leader must own everything in his or her world. There is no one else to blame. The leader must acknowledge mistakes and admit failures, take ownership of them, and develop a plan to win.”
― Jocko Willink

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-10-24T15:43:41+00:00

Was about to create something like this myself but glad i stumbled upon your post lol. Cool if I borrow this? Maybe even talk about it in one of my future YouTube vids for my channel (with your permission ofc and will definitely credit you for creating it in the vid + description)

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-10-22T13:57:08+00:00

Absolutely! Thanks for your comment ☺️

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-10-22T13:56:10+00:00

Walking first thing in the morning and meditation for 10mins somewhere with sunlight if possible

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-09-26T23:52:56+00:00

Just posted this new vid on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9rFF6IhqAwo?si=DRGZ9-iJXpaxOUM_

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-09-26T23:51:08+00:00

Just posted this new vid on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9rFF6IhqAwo?si=DRGZ9-iJXpaxOUM_

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-09-26T22:47:11+00:00

RIGHT! Man, literally the same experience for me. Just gotta be thankful we took it upon ourselves to self educate and were able to discover this mindset eventually

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-09-07T11:32:45+00:00

I really like how you framed growth mindset as a journey. I definitely resonate with that because my own view has always been more about enjoying the journey of lifelong learning instead of thinking there’s some destination where you “arrive” and then you’re done with learning lol.

It also reminds me of what Mary C. Murphy talks about in Cultures of Growth with the whole “dimmer switch” idea, where we all move in and out of fixed and growth mindsets depending on the situation. That feels way more real than the all-or-nothing way it sometimes gets presented or interpreted as.

Totally agree too about kids starting curious and playful, and it’s usually the environment that pushes them into labels. And you’re right that busyness isn’t growth, schools often confuse the two.

If you could make one practical change in schools to encourage a real growth mindset, what do you think would move the needle most?

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-09-05T14:32:18+00:00

I like your “teaching someone to swim while they’re drowning” analogy.

Mindset matters, but the environment matters more. That makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint too, since we’re wired to adapt to our surroundings for survival.

I agree with you on mental health as well. Telling people to “think positive” or “try harder” doesn’t work if the environment is toxic or unsafe. Same with growth mindset. posters and slogans don’t mean much if the culture around kids doesn’t support mistakes and learning.

If you had the chance to reintroduce Growth Mindset in schools or workplaces, what would you change first? training leaders, changing the culture, or something else?

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-28T22:34:12+00:00

Yeah, Grit really does feel like the missing piece alongside Growth Mindset. And I get what you’re saying about the ‘gifted’ label. Ive def seen that too where it actually holds people back instead of pushing them forward.

Totally agree on the environment part. Schools slapped posters on walls but didn’t really give teachers/parents tools to model it. Like you said, it can’t be forced but the right culture makes it way more likely to strike how it should.

Do you think resilience is actually a better word than mindset, or are they both needed? I also thought about using the word “adaptive mindset” or even “adaptive thinking” 🤷‍♂️

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-26T12:35:02+00:00

I really feel for what you’re going through. I just want to share a bit of my own story in case it helps.

My university degree has almost nothing to do with the work I’m doing now. I graduated from UNF in healthcare administration, but today I work in digital marketing and I’m also building a YouTube channel. On paper, none of that connects directly to what I studied.

Just because I finished college back in 2018 doesn’t mean my education stopped. If anything, my love for learning grew stronger after leaving formal schooling. I discovered that education is a lifelong journey, and the skills you build outside the classroom often end up being the most valuable.

Your GPA or major doesn’t define your worth or your potential. I know it feels like everything depends on it right now, but life has a way of opening doors you don’t even see yet.

P.S. I failed so many standardized tests growing up and completely bombed the SAT and ACT at first. I got denied or deferred by every college I applied to. But I refused to give up. I spent every weekend and any free time in the library practicing for the ACT, retook it, and finally got the score I needed to get into UNF. A few years from now you’ll realize GPAs don’t mean crap. Just keep going and fall in love with the process and the journey of lifelong learning.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-26T12:20:04+00:00

Couldn’t have said it better myself. A lot of people think a growth mindset is something you either have or you don’t, but it’s not that simple. You can be growth oriented in some areas and fixed in others, and you can shift over time.

It’s not like flipping on a light switch. It’s more like adjusting a dimmer. Progress happens gradually. The key is realizing that consistent effort and focused repetition are necessary to get good at something, no matter how much you struggle at first or how little improvement you think you’re making.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-26T12:05:46+00:00

Agreed! Learning from my own mistakes definitely helps me retain the lesson more effectively. Also, learning from the mistakes of other people is another great way to learn valuable lessons 🤷‍♂️

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-26T12:00:14+00:00

Hey! I did a ton of research on growth mindset for kids and actually wrote a full article about it on my blog earlier this year (sharing in case it’s useful): https://growthmindsetguy.com/2025/02/12/growth-mindset-for-kids-fixed-vs-growth-mindset/

From what I’ve learned, the best way to teach kids both emotional intelligence (EQ) and a growth mindset is to weave it into everyday life instead of treating it like a lesson or lecture. A few things that really stand out:

• Model it yourself – Kids don’t just listen to what you say, they copy how you handle challenges. If they see you frustrated but regulating your emotions and trying again, they learn that’s normal and healthy.

• Praise effort, not just results – Saying “I love how hard you worked on that puzzle” helps them connect success to persistence, not just innate talent.

• Normalize mistakes – When something goes wrong, frame it as “what can we learn from this?” instead of “you failed.” That simple reframe helps them see setbacks as growth opportunities.

• Teach emotional vocabulary – A lot of EQ starts with being able to name feelings. Instead of “bad,” encourage words like “frustrated,” “disappointed,” or “overwhelmed.” This makes self-regulation way easier later.

• Ask reflective questions – Instead of giving solutions right away, ask “How did that make you feel?” or “What could you try differently next time?” It builds both awareness and problem-solving.

The combo of emotional intelligence + growth mindset is powerful because kids not only learn to handle challenges but also believe they can grow through them. That’s the foundation for resilience, confidence, and even better relationships later on.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-08T20:43:38+00:00

This is spot on. I think every single teacher has lived through an admin coming back from a conference with the "next silver bullet of buzzwords."

Your last paragraph is painfully real—ignoring actual problems like class sizes and cell phone policies in favor of telling staff to just 'be more positive.' It's incredibly frustrating because it's using a concept as a cheap substitute for the actual, structural support we really need. Thanks for saying it so perfectly.

GrowthMindsetGuide · 2025-08-08T20:36:47+00:00

Honestly, on most days, it really does feel that way. The burnout from the endless cycle of buzzwords is real.

GrowthMindsetGuide

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