Should I stay or should I grow?
written by Jo Cloete
In the Bible, Jesus tells a parable of three servants who each received a gold coin of different values. Two of them invested wisely and doubled what they had been given, while the third buried his coin and returned only what he had received. The parable has many layers of meaning, but it raises an important question for us today: what do we do with the talents and abilities we’ve been given?
Do we invest in them, grow them, and stretch ourselves beyond what feels possible? Or is it acceptable to stay within the comfort of our limitations, making the most of what we know without pushing too far?
Talents, Limitations, and Energy
For much of my life, I believed that we should simply use the talents we already have, without spending too much energy on the things we’re not naturally good at. For example, I was terrible at mathematics, so much so that I labelled myself “dumb” and convinced myself I had never been capable in that area.
But life has a way of surprising us. Without even realising it, over time I developed basic mathematical ability. No, I’ll never be a mathematician, but I can confidently work with Excel, formulas, and data analysis. What once felt impossible became manageable, even useful.
Growth Mindset vs. Limiting Mindset
Through my work with Career Thinking and the Which Career for Me programme, I came across two important concepts: growth mindset and limiting mindset. The more I read and researched, the more I began to see the power of a growth mindset.
We all know stories of children who were told they would never excel in a subject, yet with encouragement, persistence, and hard work, they not only improved—they excelled. These are not exceptions; they are examples of what can happen when the growth mindset takes root.
Even in the world of sports, the principle holds true. Anrie Smith recently shared a story on LinkedIn about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder in the 400m hurdles. Instead of staying in her comfort zone, she applied a growth mindset, trained for the flat 400m, and in her very first race broke a 19-year-old record. Growth comes when we dare to stretch beyond what feels natural.
Principles for a Growth Mindset
If you’re wondering how to cultivate a growth mindset, here are a few guiding principles:
1. Apply Yourself
Not everything will come easily, but persistence pays off. Explore different learning styles to discover what works best for you. Give yourself extra time to master challenging tasks. With practice and patience, confidence follows.
2. Grab Opportunities
Don’t assume that struggling today means you’ll never succeed tomorrow. When opportunities arise—especially ones that stretch you—embrace them. Growth happens at the edge of discomfort. Seize the day—Carpe Diem!
3. Mistakes Equal Growth
Mistakes are not failures; they’re feedback. Instead of fixating on what went wrong, ask: What can I learn from this? How can I do it differently next time? With this perspective, mistakes become stepping stones.
4. Replace “Can’t” with “Not Yet”
Saying “I can’t do it” shuts the door. Saying “I can’t do it yet” leaves it open. This small shift fuels persistence, hope, and progress.
5. Practice Creative Problem-Solving
When you hit a wall, don’t stop there. Look at the problem from a new angle, test out creative solutions, and be willing to take the less-travelled path. Innovation thrives where new perspectives meet perseverance.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, developing a skill outside of our natural talents often takes more energy. But if we believe in the possibility of growth and apply ourselves consistently, we can achieve far more than we imagined.
The parable of the servants reminds us not to bury what we’ve been given but to invest, grow, and expand it. Whether in work, studies, or personal growth, the principle is the same: you can double what was given to you.
Reference list
Good News Bible, Math 25
Dweck, C.S. (2014). Developing a Growth Mindset. YouTube
Dweck, C.S. (2014). The Power of yet. YouTube
Smith, A. (2025). LinkedIn
