Make Me Better Thrive

Our mindset shapes how we perceive the world and respond to challenges. It influences how we approach learning, relationships, and success. In her pioneering work, psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset to describe two very different approaches to personal development. Understanding the difference between these two mindsets can help us unlock our full potential.

What Is a Fixed Mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that our abilities, intelligence, and talents are static traits that cannot be changed. People with a fixed mindset often believe that they are either good at something or not, and there is little room for improvement.

Characteristics of a Fixed Mindset:

• Avoiding challenges: People with a fixed mindset tend to shy away from challenges because they fear failure. They see mistakes as proof that they lack talent or intelligence.
• Giving up easily: When faced with difficulty, they may give up because they believe their abilities are limited.
• Taking feedback personally: Constructive criticism is often seen as a personal attack, leading to defensiveness and reluctance to learn from it.
• Effort is pointless: In a fixed mindset, putting in extra effort may seem useless because they believe their abilities are already set in stone.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning. People with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to grow and see failure as a stepping stone to success.

Characteristics of a Growth Mindset:

• Embracing challenges: People with a growth mindset welcome challenges, seeing them as opportunities to improve and grow.
• Persistence in the face of setbacks: Rather than giving up, they continue to push forward and learn from difficulties.
• Learning from feedback: Constructive feedback is viewed as valuable input for growth, not as a threat.
• Effort leads to mastery: They believe that putting in the effort is key to improving skills and achieving success.

How Mindset Shapes Success

The difference between a fixed and growth mindset can have a profound effect on success. A fixed mindset leads to stagnation and limits potential, while a growth mindset encourages continuous improvement and resilience.

In school or work, people with a fixed mindset may shy away from projects that are outside their comfort zone, while those with a growth mindset will take on new challenges, knowing that they’ll learn and improve along the way. Similarly, in personal relationships, a fixed mindset may lead to rigid thinking and blaming others, while a growth mindset fosters adaptability and open communication.

How to Shift from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset

If you recognize some fixed mindset tendencies in yourself, don’t worry—mindsets are not set in stone. You can cultivate a growth mindset with intentional practice:

1. Embrace challenges: Start seeing challenges as opportunities rather than threats. Each challenge you face is a chance to learn and grow.
2. Learn from failure: Instead of avoiding failure, reframe it as feedback. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and how you can improve.
3. Value effort: Recognize that hard work and persistence are what lead to improvement and success, not just natural talent. Make the effort to continue learning and growing.
4. Seek constructive feedback: Don’t shy away from feedback—ask for it and use it to fuel your growth. Feedback helps identify areas of improvement.
5. Celebrate growth: Take the time to recognize and celebrate the progress you’ve made, no matter how small. This reinforces the growth mindset by focusing on development rather than immediate outcomes.

Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset in Action

Let’s look at a common scenario: learning a new skill.

• Fixed Mindset Approach: “I’m just not good at this. There’s no point in trying. People who are good at this were born with the talent.”
• Growth Mindset Approach: “I may not be good at this yet, but with time and practice, I can improve. Every mistake I make is helping me learn.”

The growth mindset focuses on the process of learning and improvement, while the fixed mindset is focused on a fear of failure.

Conclusion: Choose Growth

The mindset you choose can shape your life. With a fixed mindset, you limit your potential and allow fear of failure to control you. However, by adopting a growth mindset, you open yourself up to learning, perseverance, and ultimately greater success in every area of life.

Remember, your abilities and intelligence aren’t set in stone. You have the power to grow, learn, and become more capable over time. Embrace the journey and choose a mindset that fosters growth.