Learning about a growth mindset (in Carol Dweck’s Mindset) has shed new light on all my old problems. I finally understand why I’ve procrastinated throughout my life and how to stop!
This concept of a fixed and growth mindset is so far-reaching that I’m confident this is potentially life-altering information. If you have ever set a goal that has gone unachieved, this is for you! If you think you are not talented enough to achieve your dreams, read on.
What is a growth mindset?
In general terms, a growth mindset is a fundamental belief in the brain’s ability to improve through effort and that innate talent is not a priority. It points to a general willingness to challenge one’s skill without any trepidation for failure and strongly predicts how successfully someone learns, adapts, and grows from each setback they encounter.
Fixed vs Growth mindset – How do you know which you have?
We all hold beliefs about ourselves and the world we live in. Whether we are aware of them or not, these beliefs affect what we want and whether we succeed in getting it. This is what mindset is all about.
‘When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. In one world – the world of fixed traits-success is about proving you’re smart or talented. Validating yourself. In the other-the world of changing qualities-its about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself.’
Carol Dweck – Mindset
Failure
Fixed mindset: Failure
When we have a fixed mindset, we see failure as a major setback. It impacts our self-worth. We feel like our egos have been bruised and it’s hard for us to even consider taking on the challenge again. The fear of failure is too much to bear.
Fixed mindset = Failure defines me
Because the fixed mindset is focused on the outcome, they feel like all has been wasted if they fail. If they trained for a marathon and didn’t make the cut, then it will be considered a waste. Like it was all for nothing. The fixed mindset keeps us from seeing the worth in the process even if the outcome was not desired.
Growth mindset: Failure
When we have a growth mindset, we see failure as a necessary and expected obstacle on the road to learning. When we fail we don’t lose our sense of self, we simply try to understand why we failed so we can avoid making the same mistake. We can fail with our self-worth intact. The only thing that feels like failure is not constantly growing and learning.
‘Not only were they not discouraged by failure, they didn’t even think they were failing. They thought they were learning.’
Carol Dweck – Mindset
A person with a growth mindset finds setbacks motivating and informative. Not learning or growing would be considered a real failure.
Growth mindset = Failure does not define me
The growth mindset helps people value the process of everything they are doing regardless of the outcome. They feel like they are still working towards something even if there’s been a setback. You still know more now than you did then and that’s progress.
Success & Confidence
Fixed mindset: Success and confidence
The fixed mindset only engages with activities they presume to be easy when they think they can succeed. From the start, they are driven by the outcome.
The fixed mindset thrives when they are in their comfort zone and things are within their grasp. The moment things get tough – they lose interest.
The fixed mindset person’s self-esteem is tied in with their success. They feel validated as someone special and almost superior when they are successful. But if you are only somebody when you succeed, what are you when you don’t?
A person with a fixed mindset is constantly trying to prove that they are better than others. They attach value to pecking orders and will often take credit for other people’s work. These people will often lie about their test results.
Growth mindset: Success and confidence
A person with a growth mindset will pursue activities they think will be challenging. The outcome is not important. It’s the challenge that drives them. Their main objective is to stretch themselves so they can learn something new.
When the going gets hard, the tough get going.
The growth mindset values the effort more than whether they failed or succeeded. It is still hard to fail and fun to succeed, but it is only secondary since the learning and growing came forth as a result of the effort they put into the challenge.
Again, their image of themselves is not dependent on whether they win or lose. Personal success is when you work your hardest to become your best.
‘True self-confidence is the courage to be open – to welcome change and new ideas regardless of their source”
Carol Dweck – Mindset
Talent & Innate ability
Fixed mindset: Talent and innate ability
The fixed mindset would like to believe that we are all born with predetermined strengths and weaknesses and that there’s little we can do about this fact. Therefore, if you are struggling with math in school, you could assume you are just not gifted in that area and let that be a comfort to you. You are not suited to maths.
The fixed mindset also sees others in this light. They don’t notice the effort someone has put in to succeed. In their minds, they are just better at maths. They are born that way.
People with a fixed mindset are usually inaccurate when determining their strengths and weaknesses because they cannot look at themselves objectively.
Growth mindset: Talent and innate ability
The growth mindset can take an honest look at personal strengths or weaknesses but only to determine where they need to improve. It is only a jumping-off point for where the learning will take place.
The growth mindset understands that you are not a fixed person, and that you can change and develop yourself in any way you desire. Through effort and by challenging yourself.
Challange & Effort
Fixed mindset: Challenge and effort
For the fixed mindset, effort means you are not good at it and you should just quit because you are going to fail anyway and that will just make you feel bad about yourself. Quit while you’re ahead and save the injury to your ego. Who wants to feel dumb?
‘The fixed mindset makes you concerned with how you’ll be judged…”
Carol Dweck – Mindset
Growth mindset: Challenge and effort
For the growth mindset, the challenge is exciting. People with a growth mindset have a passion for stretching themselves beyond their comfort zone and will stick with the challenge when things get tough.
‘…the growth mindset makes you concerned with improving.”
Carol Dweck – Mindset
Learning & Achievement
The fixed mindset: Learning & Achievement
The fixed mindset is a hindrance to learning and achievement because it stands in the way of development and change. It fills people’s heads with distracting thoughts that can easily overpower you if left unaddressed.
The fixed mindset does not favor effort and will assuage you against the effort which you need to learn anything new. This ultimately leads to inferior learning strategies that create even more barriers to learning and achievement.
Another way the fixed mindset limits achievement is through an unwillingness to ask for help from people who they can learn from. They look at other people as judges and not potential allies.
The growth mindset: Learning
The growth mindset fosters learning because it is the catalyst for change and development. It accelerates achievement.
‘…important achievements require a clear focus, all-out effort, and a bottomless trunk full of strategies.’
Carol Dweck – Mindset
The growth mindset helps people develop their minds fully and allows them to pursue achievement by not being hindered by limiting thoughts and other distracting beliefs. They also benefit from learning from others because they see them as allies.
What causes the fixed mindset?
You have to also understand why you developed the fixed mindset in the first place to better understand how to overcome it.. The fixed mindset is, at its core, your subconscious mind trying to keep you safe by not allowing you to take risks.
This starts in childhood. You might have had an experience as a child where you were laughed at or teased when you lost or perhaps you felt embarrassed after challenging yourself. Some of us were made to feel guilty when we outshined our siblings. All of these (and any number of situations) could have alerted your fixed mindset to intervene to protect you from future embarrassment or hurt.
The most common reason why most people rely so heavily on their fixed mindset for their sense of self is that they did not feel accepted by their parents (this does not mean their parents didn’t accept them – only that they did not feel accepted). Because a child can’t escape their parents they have to mitigate this problem by becoming what they think their parents will like and therefore accept.
‘It provided a formula for self-esteem and a path to love and respect from others.’
Carol Dweck – Mindset
This is why it’s so difficult to change your mindset because you have to willingly give up this sense of security.
How to change my mindset?
The first thing you need to know is that everyone has a mixture of both fixed and growth mindsets. You will rarely be one or the other. You might have a more fixed mindset with regards to one area of your life while having a more growth mindset approach towards another.
To change your mindset, you have to first notice when you are in each mindset. You will have to become astute to your own thoughts and reactions towards certain situations.
‘…change isn’t like surgery. Even when you change, the old beliefs aren’t just removed like a worn-out hip or knee and replaced with better ones. Instead, the new beliefs take their place alongside the old ones, and as they become stronger, they give you a different way to think, feel, and act.’
Carol Dweck – Mindset
Step 1
Embrace your fixed mindset
Accept that you have both mindsets.
Step 2
Become aware of your triggers without judging yourself.
Is it criticism? Deadlines? Disagreements?
Step 3
Give your fixed mindset persona a name and become acquainted with them
Understand what happens to you when you are triggered. What does this persona make me feel, think, or do?
Step 4
Educate your persona
Invite your persona along on your journey towards living in the growth mindset world.
To keep developing your growth mindset, you have to continue to set yourself goals for growth. Ask yourself how you can grow and learn every day and from every situation.
When you think of opportunities for growth, make a plan to achieve these goals. Ask yourself when, where, and how will you
How do I cultivate a growth mindset in my child?
- Encourage your child to solve their own problems from an early age.
- Do not vilify failure
- Show them how hard you try – tell them when you are struggling with something and emphasize that you are trying until you succeed (look like you are enjoying yourself)
- Give them a supportive (non-judgmental) environment where they can fully be themselves. No expectations of who you want them to be.