A Growth Mindset is a MUST-HAVE!
- People with growth mindsets believe that skill and intelligence are something that people can develop. This does not mean that everyone has unlimited potential in absolutely everything. Growth mindset accepts that while people have inherent qualities and traits, success comes from constant personal development.
- Having a growth mindset is essential for success. It is not just about being positive. Growth mindset is about believing in the power of continuous improvement and development that comes from learning and practice.
- Growth mindset is a foundation, a key ingredient. It alone doesn’t guarantee success, but it does put us on the right path:
- Growth Mindset + Willingness to Improve + Commitment to Growth + Effort to Learn + Willingness to Try/Practice = Positive Results (compounded with consistency) = Our Best Life!
The Opposite of Having a Growth Mindset is Having a Fixed Mindset
- By contrast, those with fixed mindsets believe that talent and intelligence are something you either have or you don’t. That is, some people are good at certain activities, and others excel in different areas. They don’t believe that practice, failure, and strategy development are key to developing talent or intelligence.
| Growth Mindset | Fixed Mindset |
| Embraces challenges | Avoids challenges |
| Perseveres in spite of failure | Gives in when they come up against hardship |
| Believes that people can increase their intelligence or skills | Believes that intelligence and skills are something you’re born with and can’t develop |
| Is inspired and motivated by the success of others | Is threatened by the success of others |
| Wants to learn | Believes they know everything already |
| Accepts and embraces criticism | Ignores or dismisses criticism |
Why does Growth Mindset matter?
Qualitative research, led by prominent Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, shows that those who do develop a high degree of talent and experience greater success are more often people with a growth mindset.
“Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better?”
– Carol Dweck
HOW can we cultivate and develop our Growth Mindset.
Awareness of current state:
- Determine where you are now
- Explore your WHY
- Understand your strength and limitations
Learn:
- Learn about brain plasticity
Practice:
- See your challenges as opportunities
- Ensure to see failure as a paramount part of learning. In Daily I.Liv. Assess practice, reflect on what you’ve failed at (and learned from)
- Stop seeking approval from others
- Identify opportunities to celebrate the success of others
- Focus on rewarding actions, not specific traits
- Adjust your language:
- Add the …yet to all sentences (I’m not good at this YET)
- Correct yourself when you attribute someone’s success as pure talent
