An often-overlooked tool to fuel your growth and well-being? Listening to music. Studies have shown that music can help you reduce stress, solve problems more creatively, and become more motivated and productive during the workday.
So, we recommend a New Year’s resolution for all talent pros: Use music to cultivate a growth mindset.
Carol Dweck, the psychologist who coined the term, describes a growth mindset as the belief that you can increase the skills you possess and rise to any challenge. When you embrace a growth mindset, overcoming obstacles is a matter of the “power of yet.” If you haven’t solved something yet, you can learn the tools and skills to do so. By contrast, a fixed mindset is a belief that everyone has a finite number of skills and abilities — either you have what it takes to solve a problem or you’re out of luck.
Carol says that reaching your potential is not a question of your existing skills, but the mindset you adopt in difficult moments. And people who adopt growth mindsets are more agile, more able to weather change, and more successful.
Check out the five songs (below) we think will help you embrace a growth mindset this year, plus our full playlist of 25 songs on Spotify.
1. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child (2001)
I'm a survivor / I'm not gon' give up / I'm not gon' stop / I'm gon' work harder
Life lesson: Embrace challenges.
In the face of challenges — whether breakups, setbacks at work, or other hurdles — heed the advice of Beyoncé & Co. Beyoncé usually offers solid advice, especially when she’s encouraging you to help combat employee burnout in “Break My Soul.”
2. “Rise Up” by Andra Day (2015)
I'll rise like the day / I'll rise up / I'll rise unafraid / I'll rise up / And I'll do it a thousand times again
Life lesson: Persist amid setbacks.
This song speaks to the resilience you’ll need to tackle adversity in 2023. Even if you get knocked down a thousand times, keep dusting yourself off and getting back up. And check out these strategies to boost your resilience from LinkedIn Learning instructor Gemma Leigh Roberts.
3. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus (2009)
Ain't about how fast I get there / Ain't about what's waiting on the other side / It's the climb
Life lesson: See learning as part of the journey.
Often we measure success by external factors, such as a promotion or a new role. However, what you learn in each role and job is just as important. Commit to your own learning journey — and as Linda Cai, chief learning officer at LinkedIn, says, embrace a “squiggly career path” and don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities to find what you are uniquely good at.
4. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson (2011)
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger / Stand a little taller
Life lesson: Learn from criticism.
A key aspect of a growth mindset theory is viewing every setback as a learning opportunity.
As Natalia Paul, a LinkedIn career coach, says, when you make a mistake or a decision that doesn’t work out, instead of asking “What was I thinking?” ask, “What was I learning?”
5. “My Shot” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording (2015)
I'm just like my country / I'm young, scrappy, and hungry / And I'm not throwin' away my shot
Life lesson: Use other people’s success as inspiration.
The Broadway musical Hamilton has a lot to teach HR professionals. Instead of being intimidated by his rival Aaron Burr’s early successes, Hamilton Alexander uses them as inspiration to reach higher. May we all follow in Hamilto’s footsteps and view others’ successes as motivation to dream bigger.
Looking for even more inspiration to develop a growth mindset in 2023? Check out the full playlist of 25 songs on Spotify.
To receive blog posts like this one straight in your inbox, subscribe to the blog newsletter.
Topics: Culture of learning
Related articles