Ten-year old me waits anxiously for my Fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Fraley, to call my name. We were getting our science test results back on electricity and I had actually put some solid effort into studying for this one. You see, I was a pretty sensitive child and I figured that if I put in “just enough” effort, then if I failed I wouldn’t be as disappointed then if I went “all in”. Looking back, I see that I was practicing Low-Effort Syndrome, (exert as little effort as possible, that way if you “fail” it protects the ego.) I hear my name called, gulp, my turn. Mrs. Fraley handed me my test with a large “A” on the top of the test and a gold star to boot! I was so excited and relieved, but then she said these words, “I knew you could do it! Now I know what you are capable of.” Ah, a time of reckoning for my young self, should I stay in my land of little effort or, venture out into new territory of full engagement. Back then, If I knew and understood the concept of growth mindset, I hope I would have opted for the latter.
What is Mindset?
You and I move through our worlds connecting, learning and responding to experiences. When our minds take in an experience, we filter it through a particular mindset. Your mindset is your collection of thoughts and beliefs that shape your thinking. Mindset impacts how you view your world and how you view yourself in your world.
What is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is one in which we approach an experience with the idea that our ability is changeable and that we can develop ourselves through learning. We achieve because we put effort into learning. Those with a growth mindset believe that they can get smarter, more intelligent, and more talented through putting in time and effort.
What is a Fixed Mindset?
A person with a fixed mindset approaches the world with an either/or mentality. In this mindset, there is a belief that ability and talents are relatively fixed, (you either have it, or you don’t.)
Fixed or Growth?
Read through each of the phrases below and guess which ones illustrate a fixed mindset or a growth mindset:
“Success is about learning.” (fixed or growth?)
“If you have to work at something, you must not be good at it.” (fixed or growth?)
“I need to feel smart” (fixed or growth?)
“Failure can be a painful experience, but it doesn’t define you.” (fixed or growth?)
“I’m going to seek out challenge and thrive on it.” (fixed or growth?)
“Failure defines who I am” (fixed or growth?)
“I can’t do that.” (fixed or growth?)
“I don’t know how to do that yet.” (fixed or growth?)
I imagine about now as you read this, you are wondering if you are a growth or fixed mindset thinker. In reality, you most likely have different mindsets for different areas in your life.
A leading mindset researcher and Stanford psychologist, Carol S. Dweck Ph.D., has spent decades studying fixed and growth mindset. In her book, Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, she describes the journey to achieve a growth mindset in more areas of your life:
“Although, for simplicity I’ve talked as though some have a growth mindset and some people have a fixed mindset, in truth we’re all a mixture of the two. There’s no point denying it. Sometimes we’re in one mindset and sometimes we’re in the other. Our task then becomes to understand what triggers our fixed mindset. What are the events or situations that take us to a place where we tell our (or other people’s) abilities are fixed? What are the events or situations that take us to a place of judgement rather than to a place of development?”
First Step Towards a Growth Mindset
Developing a growth mindset in different areas of your life is an on-going journey. The first step of the journey is an awareness of areas of your life that you have fixed thoughts about yourself and others. Look back in time, to discover where those preconceived notions originated. The next blog post will explore the steps you can take to create a growth mindset in the fixed mindset areas of your thinking.
In what areas of your life do you have a fixed mindset?
Carol S. Dweck Ph.D. Mindset, The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine Books 2016
Interested in coaching that will help you lead, achieve, and inspire? Contact Carol now for a complimentary 20-minute session.
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