We love a prodigy! Think Mozart, Darwin, Einstein – these names make us go wow and feel inspired, believe in those special people who are born with a spark of genius.
But what if that’s just a story we tell ourselves so we don’t have to do the work? What if talent is only part of the equation? What if the real secret to success is something we can all develop, something called mindset?
That’s the idea behind Carol S. Dweck’s fantastic book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. It’s a book that has changed how millions of people think about learning, achievement, and even themselves!
This post is about mindset. We’ll be looking at:
The two mindsets that govern us.
What do these mindsets do to our motivation, resilience and ability to achieve our goals
How to switch from fixed to growth and unlock
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset – Two Worlds
In her research, Dweck found that people fall into one of two camps when it comes to their beliefs about intelligence and talent. They either have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset:
Fixed Mindset:
"Believing that your qualities are carved in stone – the fixed mindset – creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over…It simply wouldn’t do to look or feel deficient in these most basic characteristics."
Think of this as the “I’m smart or I’m not” mentality. People with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are innate and can’t be changed. They’re busy proving themselves, avoiding things that might show their weaknesses, and seeing setbacks as proof of limitations.
Growth Mindset:
"There’s another mindset in which these traits are not simply a hand you’re dealt and have to live with, always trying to convince yourself and others that you have a royal flush when you’re secretly worried it’s a pair of tens. In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt is just the starting point for development. This growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others. Although people may differ in every which way – in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments – everyone can change and grow through application and experience."
This is the “I can always get better” mindset. They seek out challenges, persist through obstacles, and see effort as the way to get better. They see failure as a learning experience, not a reflection of their inherent worth.
Here's a simple table to help you visualize the differences:
Feature | Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset |
Intelligence | Believes intelligence is fixed, you are either smart or not. | Believes intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. |
Challenges | Avoids challenges; afraid of making mistakes and looking "dumb". | Embraces challenges; sees them as opportunities for growth and learning. |
Effort | Sees effort as a sign of weakness, proof that they lack natural ability. | Sees effort as the path to mastery; believes hard work is what makes you smarter and more talented. |
Failure | Takes failure personally; sees it as a reflection of their worth. | Sees failure as a learning opportunity; a chance to adjust strategies and get better. |
Why Mindset Matters?
Now you're thinking, “This all sounds great, but is it true?”
Here are some reasons why having a growth mindset will unlock your potential:
Learning: A fixed mindset makes us afraid to step outside our comfort zones and try new things because what if we fail? What if it proves we’re not smart enough? A growth mindset fuels our desire to learn. It makes us curious, it makes us want to try new things and it makes us more resilient when those inevitable setbacks happen.
Persistence: We’ve all had setbacks and experienced those moments where we wanted to give up, right? But what separates those who succeed from those who don’t? It’s often persistence. A growth mindset helps us push through even when it’s hard because we believe that effort and practice will eventually lead to success.
The Brain Can Change: Recent research in neuroplasticity has shown that our brains are super adaptable and we can actually change the structure and function of our brains through learning and experience! So that old idea that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Totally debunked!
Mindset and Success – The Journey, Not Just the Destination
Now, consider all of those great moments in your life when you really felt good at what you accomplished. It's not about perfection, right? Setting a goal for yourself is key, getting out of your comfort zone and recognizing the hard-earned victories to get there!
Here's what Dweck says about the growth mindset:
"Believing that success is about learning, students with the growth mindset seized the chance. But those with the fixed mindset didn’t want to expose their deficiencies. Instead, to feel smart in the short run, they were willing to put their college careers at risk. This is how the fixed mindset makes people into nonlearners."
The fixed mindset is obsessed with proving, with validating, with looking good. But it’s the growth mindset that leads to real achievement, to fulfillment, and even to happiness. It’s the journey, not just the destination!
Shifting Your Mindset – It’s a Journey, Not a Destination
Okay, I’ve gone on long enough about why a growth mindset is important.
How do we actually shift our mindset from fixed to growth?
Here are a few things that have worked for me:
Get to Know Your Fixed Mindset “Triggers”: What situations or experiences make you feel most vulnerable or defensive? When does that little voice in your head start saying, “You’re not good enough,” “You’re going to fail,” or “What’s the point?”. Once you’re aware of those triggers, you can start to challenge those thoughts and choose a more growth-oriented response.
Reframe Challenges as Opportunities: Perspective! Instead of thinking, “This is too hard, I’m going to give up," try, “This is a challenge, but I’m going to learn from it.”
Seek Out Feedback: Ask for constructive criticism! It’s not always easy to hear, but it’s essential for growth! Don’t just surround yourself with people who will tell you how awesome you are; find mentors, teachers or friends who will challenge you to be better!
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: We’re all going to make mistakes. It’s part of being human! Don’t let the pursuit of perfection stop you from trying new things, putting yourself out there and making those inevitable mistakes along the way.
The Power of “Yet”
This is such a powerful concept! Instead of “I’m not good at math” try “I’m not good at math… yet”
That one little word changes everything! Opens up the possibility of learning, of growth, of achieving things we never thought possible.
So if you’re struggling to flip your mindset or that little fixed-mindset voice is whispering in your ear don’t worry. It’s a process not a switch and we’re all learning and evolving!
What’s your biggest takeaway from this post? How will you challenge your fixed mindset and get with the growth? Let me know in the comments!
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