Embracing a Growth Mindset as a Physician or Executive Mom
Jul 29, 2025
Today we’re going to talk about something that really lit me up this week: the power of a growth mindset. I was scrolling through LinkedIn and came across a thoughtful article by Mark Jaeger titled "Unlocking the Power of a Growth Mindset in Later Years." And even though it was written with retirement in mind, I couldn’t help but think about how much it applies to us—especially those of us who are just getting started in our real earning years after what feels like a lifetime of education and training.
You don’t have to wait until retirement to unlock purpose, creativity, or resilience. Whether you're wrapping up residency or finally feeling stable in your new career role, you are standing at a major turning point. This is not the time to slow down—this is your launch pad.
Why a Growth Mindset Matters More Than Ever
So what exactly is a growth mindset? The term, coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, means believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, learning, and persistence. It means we aren’t stuck. We can evolve, adapt, and grow.
And let’s be honest—life doesn’t always get easier as we go. We keep thinking it will once we "arrive"—graduate from med school, complete residency, land that attending position, or finally bring in a decent paycheck. Maybe we thought life would be simpler after getting married, or having that first child, or even post-divorce or widowhood. But instead, we find ourselves juggling professional responsibilities, parenting, health issues, and the rapid pace of technological change.
Here’s where a growth mindset saves us:
When things don’t go as planned—and they often don’t—we can pause, learn, and recalibrate rather than spiral. During COVID, I grew to hate the word resilience, but ultimately what got me through was self-care, my faith, and community. That’s the kind of safety net I’m trying to build here for you.
Curiosity is also key. As my daughter moves into her own apartment, I’ve been rethinking my identity—not just as her mom, not just as a physician—but as a person rediscovering joy. I’ve been doing everything from horseback riding to learning how to make mirror glaze at the Amorette Bakery. Turns out, it’s not fondant that gives it that shine, but a three-pour technique over a frozen cake! Who knew?
And fulfillment? It’s not just a buzzword. Continual learning helps keep our minds sharp and our hearts full. I might not always feel joyful, but I do feel content—and that fuels me through demanding days.
How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset
So how do we go from knowing this intellectually to actually living it?
First, try reframing setbacks. When your EMR crashes before rounds, sure, be frustrated. But also ask, "What can I do next time to stay calm and keep moving?" Even saving yesterday’s patient list can give you a head start while IT does their thing.
Second, embrace lifelong learning. It doesn’t have to mean a PhD. Take a class, join a book club, explore YouTube tutorials. For me, a digital photography class sparked a whole new outlet—and gave me an excuse to sort through the 100,000+ photos and videos on my iPhone. Some of them even made it into my articles and blog posts.
Third, set stretch goals. Not stress goals. For instance, dip into your financial education. If you haven’t started yet, consider reading a finance blog or listening to a podcast. Some of my go-tos include the White Coat Investor, Prudent Plastic Surgeon, Physician Philosopher, Semi-Retired MD, and Passive Income MD.
And finally, show yourself some grace. You’re going to stumble. That doesn’t make you a failure—it makes you human. Treat yourself with the same compassion you’d give your best friend.
The Encore Advantage
People often tell young folks, “You have all the time in the world.” But what if we said that to ourselves?
We’re not winding down—we’re just getting started. Being a single mom physician or executive mom means you already have next-level resilience. You’ve built a career, raised children, made decisions under pressure. Now is the time to use that wisdom.
This is the season for side hustles, mentorship, innovation. One of my clients just launched her own medical consulting business—right from her kitchen table. She’s already making a bigger impact now than she did in her full-time clinical role.
Four Simple Practices to Strengthen Your Growth Mindset
Let’s talk habits. Here are a few that help reinforce a growth mindset day by day:
- Micro-Challenges: Do one unfamiliar thing daily. For me, that’s chair yoga—a 10-minute practice that fits even in hotel rooms without pools. It stretches me—literally and mentally.
- Story-Banking: Keep a journal of wins. When you feel stuck, revisit those moments. We’ve got several blog articles and podcast episodes at Single Mom MD to help you get started. I’m even thinking about launching a journal with prompts—let me know if that’s something you’d like!
- Cross-Generational Collaboration: Work with someone younger. Or better yet, get your whole family involved. Brainstorm a vacation, batch-cook freezer meals, or build a craft project together. The energy exchange is magical.
- Reflective Journaling: Each night, jot down one thing you learned, one challenge you reframed, and one step you took toward a goal. It only takes five minutes, but the payoff is huge.
Your Encore Growth Plan
Here’s how to start crafting your plan:
- Choose one big stretch goal. Write that book, run that 10K, or finally launch your coaching business.
- Break it into monthly and weekly tasks.
- Create your support system—what I call your "growth crew."
- Schedule regular time for personal growth. If it’s not blocked off in your calendar, it’s not going to happen.
- Celebrate your wins. Check in with yourself or your crew every quarter. Take time to appreciate how far you’ve come.
Conclusion
A growth mindset isn’t just for students or retirees. It’s for us—women who are making it work every day, in clinics and conference rooms, at bedtime and boardrooms.
You are not too late. You are not too tired. You are not too stuck. You are just getting started.
Let’s grow—together.
Calling all remarkable women physicians and single moms!
Join our thriving Single Mom MD community today and unlock the support you need to conquer financial challenges, master time management, embrace a positive mindset, and excel in parenting.
Together, we'll elevate each other to new heights of success and fulfillment. Don't wait - your empowered future starts here!
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