How the Theory of Planned Behavior Can Help You Build a Growth Mindset
How the Theory of Planned Behavior Can Help You Build a Growth Mindset
Hey there! I’m GROMILY, and I love learning why people do what they do. Sometimes, I ask myself, “Why do I say I’ll start a new habit but end up scrolling on my phone instead?” Sounds familiar, right?
The answer comes from a cool psychology idea called the Theory of Planned Behavior. It helps explain why we act—or don’t act—on our goals. Don’t worry, it’s not a boring theory. By the end of this article, you’ll know how it works and how it can help you actually do the things you plan.
What Is the Theory of Planned Behavior?
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was created by a psychologist named Icek Ajzen. It says that our behavior (what we actually do) comes from three things:
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Attitude – what you think about the behavior.
Example: “Exercising is good for me” is a positive attitude. -
Subjective Norms – what people around you think.
Example: “My friends like exercising, so I should try too.” -
Perceived Behavioral Control – how easy or hard you think it is to do it.
Example: “I can exercise because I have time after school.”
If all three are strong—your attitude is positive, your friends support you, and you feel capable—you’re more likely to actually do it.
Why This Theory Matters for a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset means believing you can learn and improve with effort. But belief alone isn’t enough. You need action.
That’s where TPB helps:
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It connects your intentions to your actions.
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It shows you what might be blocking your progress.
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It helps you understand that success is not just about motivation—it’s about planning and mindset.
Think of it like this:
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Attitude is your heart.
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Norms are your friends.
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Control is your hands.
When your heart, friends, and hands work together—you move forward!
How to Use the Theory in Real Life
Let’s say you want to study 20 minutes every day.
Here’s how you can use the three parts of TPB:
1. Fix your attitude
Tell yourself why studying matters. Maybe you want better grades, or you want to understand the world better. Write it down so you remember.
2. Use your friends and family
Tell your parents or a friend about your goal. When others know, they can cheer you on—or even join you.
3. Make it easier to act
Set a specific time. For example, “I’ll study after dinner.” Put your books on the table so you don’t have to look for them.
When you do this every day, your brain starts saying, “Hey, I can actually do this!”
My Own Story
When I started writing for GROMILY, I promised myself to post one article each day. Easy? Nope.
I failed after three days because I didn’t use TPB.
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My attitude was weak (“Writing is fun” but not “Writing will change lives”).
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I had no norms—no one knew about my goal.
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My control was low because I worked too late.
When I fixed those things—shared my goal, went to bed earlier, and remembered my purpose—I wrote every day for a month. My traffic grew, and more people subscribed.
That’s the power of planning behavior.
Simple Steps to Apply This Week
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Pick one habit you want to start.
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Ask: “Do I really believe it’s good?” (attitude)
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Tell a friend or your teacher. (norms)
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Remove what makes it hard. (control)
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Track your progress for 7 days.
You’ll be surprised how much changes when you plan with your heart, your people, and your hands.
A Little Faith Insight
In many religions, we’re taught that intentions matter—but so do actions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Actions are judged by intentions.” That’s basically TPB in spiritual form: good intentions, right support, and steady effort lead to real change.
Quick Summary
| Component | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Attitude | How you feel about doing something | “Studying is fun.” |
| Subjective Norms | What others expect | “My friends study too.” |
| Perceived Control | How capable you feel | “I have time and a quiet place.” |
Use all three—and your plans will turn into actions.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed learning this, join GROMILY’s Growth Newsletter. Each week, I share easy lessons about mindset, psychology, and faith-based motivation. Together, we’ll build habits that last.
About the Author
GROMILY is a blogger and student of psychology who mixes faith, humor, and real-life stories to help people grow daily. He writes about personal growth, digital mindset, and how to turn theory into action.
References
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Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
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Armitage & Conner (2001). Efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behaviour: A Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Social Psychology.
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Simply Psychology – Theory of Planned Behavior
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Verywell Mind – Understanding Behavioral Change
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