Makers Mindful Coder Series: Week 4 — Building Grit
A 9 part series of Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence topics from our Daily Meditation sessions at Makers. Take a sneak peak into what our learners experience.
Welcome back to the Mindful Coding Series for the 4th instalment all about building grit. Grit, a term coined by Angela Duckworth, is the perseverance and passion for long-term goals.
At Makers, grit is an essential quality for navigating the challenges of the coding bootcamp and career transition at large. Makers’ Emotional Intelligence curriculum, which includes the option to participate in daily guided mindfulness sessions, helps our learners develop the grit and confidence to flourish in their journeys into tech. Below, are some key ideas we covered with our learners this week:
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
One of the foundational elements we focus on at Makers is building grit to cultivate a growth mindset. This mindset, popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck, emphasises the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.
You are constantly faced with new concepts and challenges, so adopting a growth mindset can make all the difference. If you find you’re viewing setbacks as failures or threats, practice seeing them as opportunities for growth and learning.
Building Internal Habits
Building grit starts from within. It involves developing internal mental habits that foster resilience and perseverance. Key aspects of this are:
Be kind to yourself
In the high-pressure environment of the bootcamp, it’s easy to be overly critical of your progress or abilities. By practising self-compassion and treating yourself with kindness, you can better maintain your motivation and resilience in the face of challenges.
Develop your Self-Awareness
Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles allows you to adapt your approach to learn coding effectively. Self-awareness also enables you to recognise when you need help and should seek assistance, rather than becoming discouraged by obstacles.
Practice Optimism
Optimistic individuals are more resilient in the face of adversity and are better able to maintain motivation and focus on long-term goals. By practising optimism, our Makers can approach challenges with a positive attitude, viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.
“Self-care is not about self-indulgence, it’s about self-preservation.” — Audrey Lorde
Building External Habits
In addition to internal habits, external factors also play a significant role in building grit. Some key habits are:
Nurture Supportive Relationships
Engaging with supportive peers and the wider Makers community can provide invaluable encouragement and motivation during challenging times. This increases a sense of connection and accountability, helping you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Have a Self-Care Routine
Consistent exercise, nutrition, and sleep contribute to overall well-being, which directly impacts your ability to persevere through challenges. Prioritising self-care allows us to recharge and maintain the energy and focus needed to succeed through the demands of learning, growth and transition.
This week’s reflection questions:
- How can you make more space to notice your thoughts and emotions and choose how you respond to challenges?
- How can you practise more kindness to yourself this week?
- What would you do differently if you were to spend today as your biggest cheerleader and supporter?
- What are the healthy habits that are supporting you currently?
- Who are your key supporters and how can you build in time with them that allows you to feel even more supported?
So there you have it, the grittier you get the more you can take away from your learning and the more you get out of your time at Makers.
See you next week for week 5 where we’ll be focusing on enhancing self-confidence!
The Makers Joy Team
