Learner Preparation Strategies
- amber downing
- Mar 15
- 5 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
Developing Your Mindset. From Fixed to Growth to Learner's Mindset
Which Mindset are you?
Let's grow together!
Starting an esthetics diploma program is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.
Students quickly discover that this profession requires both scientific knowledge and skilled hands-on practice. Learning anatomy and physiology, memorizing terminology, understanding muscles and bones, and applying that theory during treatments takes time, patience, and persistence.
One of the most important things you can develop during your training is not just skill but
your mindset as a learner.
Words of Wisdom
"Dr. Harapnuik, (2021) says that the learner mindset is a state of being where people act on their intrinsic capacity to learn and respond to their inquisitive nature that leads to viewing all interactions in the world as learning opportunities. A learner mindset will view change and challenges as learning opportunities for growth."
In this program, we will work together to move through three important stages of learning:
Fixed Mindset → Growth Mindset → Learner Mindset
Understanding these perspectives will help you build confidence, manage challenges, and become a more reflective practitioner.
What is Mindset?
Psychologist Carol Dweck describes mindset as the beliefs we hold about our ability to learn and develop skills. "A fixed mindset assumes that abilities are predetermined, while a growth mindset believes that skills can develop through effort, practice, and perseverance"
(Stanford Clayman Institute, 2015).
Students with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and continue improving over time. "A growth mindset categorizes mistakes or failures as opportunities for improvement, development, and growth, rather than signs of a lack of intelligence" (Iridescent, 2014).
In a profession like esthetics, this perspective is essential because mastery of treatments, anatomy knowledge, and client care develops through repetition, feedback, and reflection.
"Love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning" Carol Dweck
Fixed vs Growth vs Learner Mindset
Mindset | Example in Esthetics School |
Fixed Mindset | “I’m not good at anatomy terminologies. I’ll never memorize all these muscles.” |
Growth Mindset | “Anatomy is challenging, but with study and practice I can learn it.” |
Learner Mindset | “Understanding the muscles will help me perform safer, more effective treatments for my future clients.” |
A fixed mindset may cause you to avoid difficult topics or feel discouraged when learning complex material. These learners are always trying to prove themselves. A growth mindset encourages you to keep trying.
A learner mindset, however, goes even further, it connects learning to purpose, curiosity,
and professional identity.
This is where true professional development begins
Many students enter esthetics programs excited about the hands-on work. Treatments like facials, massage, and body services are exciting skills to develop. However, professional esthetics requires a deep understanding of the body.
You will learn:
1. Muscle & bone structure and function
2. Skin physiology& histology
3. The body's systems
4. Correct pressure and hand placement
5. Treatment contraindications
6. Client safety considerations
Knowing where muscles & bones are located and how they function is essential
for proper technique and client safety.
This means learning cannot be rushed. Professional training is a gradual process that combines:
Theory, Practice, Reflection, Feedback & Improvement
Learning the Body Takes Time
At first, anatomy terminology may feel overwhelming. Words like:
Sternocleidomastoid, Zygomaticus, or Orbicularis oculi may seem impossible to remember.
But remember: your brain learns through repetition and connection.
Research in cognitive science shows that when learners practice new concepts repeatedly, the brain forms new neural pathways that make recall easier over time (IECL, 2017).
Think of it like training a muscle. The more you practice, the stronger the pathway becomes.
Preparing Yourself to Learn
Here are strategies that will help you succeed in this program.
1. Break learning into smaller steps
Instead of memorizing all facial muscles at once, focus on:
One region at a time
One system at a time
One treatment movement at a time
Small steps build confidence!
2. Connect theory to hands-on practice
Ask yourself
Which muscle am I working on?
2. What direction do the muscle fibres move?
3. Why is my hand placement important?
Understanding why we perform a movement improves retention.
3. Expect mistakes
Learning involves trial and error. Students with a growth mindset see mistakes as information, not failure.
As Dweck explains, a growth mindset views challenges and errors as opportunities for improvement rather than signs of lack of ability (Dweck & Yeager, 2019).
QUOTE:
“Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.”
– Morihei Ueshiba
4. Practice self-reflection
Professional estheticians constantly evaluate their work.
Ask yourself:
What did I do well?
2. What could I improve?
3. What will I try differently next time?
This develops higher-order thinking skills like analysis and evaluation.
Understanding Feedforward
In this program, feedback is an essential part of your development.
But we often use something even more powerful: feedforward.
Feedforward focuses on how to improve next time, rather than only evaluating past performance.
Examples of feedforward include:
Adjusting hand pressure
Changing hand placement
Improving client communications
Refining treatment flow
Receiving feedforward requires openness, curiosity, and trust.
Your Instructor is a Facilitator & Mentor
In this program, your instructor is not simply delivering information.
My role is to facilitate learning and guide your professional growth.
As educator Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik explains:
“We want our learners to see change and challenges as opportunities for growth.”
This perspective encourages students to approach difficulties with curiosity rather than fear.
My goal is to help you:
1. Develop confidence
2. Build critical thinking skills
3. Reflect on your learning
4. Grow as a professional practitioner
The Learner Mindset
The ultimate goal of this program is not just knowledge, it is lifelong learning.
A learner mindset means:
Asking questions
2. Seeking feedback
3. Reflecting on performance
4. Continuously improving
Quote:
"Scientists are learning that people have more capacity for lifelong learning and brain development than they ever thought" (Dweck, C. (2006).
The beauty industry evolves constantly. New treatments, technologies, and research are always emerging.
The best estheticians remain curious learners throughout their careers.
You can visualize the progression like this:
FIXED MINDSET
“I can’t do this.”
↓
GROWTH MINDSET
“I can learn this with effort.”
↓
LEARNER MINDSET
“How can I improve and apply this knowledge?”
Learning esthetics is a journey that requires patience, curiosity, and dedication. Understanding the body, developing treatment skills, and learning professional protocols takes time and practice.
You are not expected to know everything immediately. What matters most is your
willingness to learn, reflect, and grow.
There are so many resources on social media, industry magazines, and podcasts that you can utilize to support your growth.
Approach this program with curiosity, openness to feedback, and a commitment to continuous improvement. If you adopt a learner mindset, you will not only succeed in this program but also build the foundation for a rewarding, lifelong career in esthetics.
"You’re in charge of your mind. You can help it grow by using it in the right way"
Carol Dweck
Here is an interesting video by Sheila Heen about the science of receiving feedback
References
Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success.
Dweck, C. S., & Yeager, D. S. (2019). Mindsets: A view from two eras. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(3), 481–496.
Harapnuik, D. (2021). It's about learning. Creating significant learning environments. Learner’s Mindset Explained | It's About Learning
Heen, S. (2014). The science of receiving feedback. Mentor Workshop Introduction/Big Think.
Iridescent. (2014). Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets - Iridescent
Murphy, M. (2008). Growth mindset and learning beliefs. Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. (Grand Valley State University)
O’Keefe, P., Dweck, C., & Walton, G. (2018). Implicit theories of interest: Finding your passion or developing it? Psychological Science. (Research.com)
Stanford Clayman Institute. (2015). Understanding mindset for success. (Clayman Institute for Gender Research)
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