Carol Dweck, American psychologist and professor, coined the term growth mindset to describe the belief that intelligence and talents are not fixed but they can be improved over time. On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence and talents are inherent, natural, and can never evolve. Having a growth mindset is important for success, because it’s marked by an ability to accept criticism, failure, and challenges. Fixed mindsets breeds passivity because an individual with a fixed mindset doesn’t believe that his/her effort can help them achieve their goals.
Four Benefits of a Growth Mindset
1- You believe in yourself
People with a growth mindset assess their strengths and weaknesses, and they make it a statement to strengthen their weak spots. They have a realistic view on their capabilities and they make an effort to work on the things that need improvement. Putting in effort to enhance their skills builds their self-confidence and self-image once they achieve their goals or grow.
2- You become more valuable in the workplace
The desire to learn new things leads to the development of new skills and talents. This can be a great asset to employers, because every employer wants an employee that can work on themselves and pick up on new skills they don’t necessarily have yet.
3- You become more focused on yourself
People with a growth mindset are engulfed and consumed by a drive to be better. On the other hand, people with a fixed mindset tend to live in comparison and hopelessness. They want what others have and they don’t believe that they can achieve goals themselves. With a growth mindset, you will be focused on ways you can be a better version of yourself because you believe that it’s possible and attainable.
4- You become more fulfilled
Having a growth mindset will lead to the development of hobbies. These hobbies can be a source of fulfilment and can give a sense of purpose to those who engage in it.
Four Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset
1- Be open to criticism
Constructive feedback exists to help us become better versions of ourselves. When we view criticism as a direct attack on our identity, it makes it harder for us to change for the better. When we learn that the point of constructive criticism is to build us and not harm us, we become more open to it.
2- Learn to accept failure
Most people don’t believe that they “make” mistakes, they think that they “are” mistakes. The people with this mindset believe that failure defines who they are, so they would rather not try at all. Viewing failure as an opportunity to learn is what leads to growth. Remember that failure is not personal, and that it’s a stepping stone in your journey.
3- Change the trajectory of your words
Do you constantly say that you can’t do things without even trying? Using the word “yet” can shift your attitude. Saying “I can’t do this yet” rather than “I can’t do this” is part of moving from a fixed mindset to a growth one. Rather than saying that you’re not good at something, you need to remind yourself that you’re still trying and learning.
4- Embrace opportunities and ditch passivity
Do you find yourself telling others that you won’t take part in something because you’re not “good” at it? So often we miss out on opportunities because we label ourselves as “not good enough” and our fixed mindset tells us that we don’t have any ability to grow and improve. As a result of self doubt, not training ourselves to take on new challenges leads to stagnancy and passivity.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you find it easy to accept criticism?
- How do you feel about failure? Does a fear of failure stop you from going after things you want?
- How often do you try new things?
