On 20th December, I had the privilege of leading a Growth Mindset workshop as part of the afternoon programme at Croydon SDA Pathfinders Day. It was an inspiring session where young people explored how to think, act, and grow in ways that align with God’s purpose for their lives.
Lessons from Work, Gardening, and Life
To bring a growth mindset to life, I shared lessons from two areas of my own experience: working under different bosses and tending to a garden.
From the workplace, I explained how feedback and challenge can shape us positively. A fixed mindset sees correction as criticism, but a growth mindset sees it as an opportunity to learn, improve, and grow stronger. Similarly, in gardening, seeds don’t sprout overnight. They need water, care, and patience—but beneath the soil, growth is happening every day.
The Pathfinders were quick to see the connection: just as seeds grow with care and persistence, we grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally when we embrace challenges and put in consistent effort.
Tying it to Grow Your Mind
This workshop was closely linked to the principles in my book, Grow Your Mind. The book encourages children and young people to:
- View mistakes as stepping stones, not setbacks
- See effort as more important than instant success
- Stay persistent even when progress feels slow
- Trust that God is shaping them through every experience
During the session, we explored these ideas in interactive ways, helping Pathfinders reflect on how they can grow their minds in school, at home, and in their communities.
Faith, Patience, and Process
We also looked at growth from a spiritual perspective. God is the ultimate gardener, nurturing, pruning, and shaping us so we can flourish. Sometimes growth feels slow or uncomfortable—but just like seeds, real progress is happening even when we can’t see it immediately.
The Pathfinders were encouraged to embrace challenges as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles, echoing the central message of Grow Your Mind: growth is a journey, not a moment.
Planting Seeds for the Future
The workshop was a wonderful reminder that investing in young people equips them for a lifetime of learning, faith, and leadership. My prayer is that the lessons from the workshop—and from Grow Your Mind—will continue to take root in their hearts, helping them face challenges with courage, curiosity, and confidence.
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens on purpose. And with God guiding us, we can grow beyond what we ever thought possible
