Growth Mindset

After reading Karol Dwecks book “Mindset” (link) a couple of months ago I was very impressed by its content and way of thinking. It talks about two types of mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.

The fixed mindset is the belief that basic traits like intelligence or talent are fixed and can’t be changed. This can also apply to situations, relationships, problems and skills among other things.

The growth mindset is the belief that these basic traits can be developed and changed through effort and hard work. Talent is just the starting point for growth and change.

After learning about the mindsets and being aware of them in my life, it has changed my perspective on many situations and things. It has reminded me the importance of learning and helped me to accept failure as a learning experience. This in turn allows me to be more vulnerable as failure is allowed and seen as a valuable lesson rather than a question of my worth.

I also am noticing where I have a fixed mindset and trying to change the thoughts that I have in regards to these subjects. It is often quite surprising and can be contradictory within a certain subject, such as work or relationships. It is a way to question my beliefs and to line them up with the type of life I desire. As I do this questioning, it has the effect of releasing me from situations where I feel stuck and has given me greater determination and resolve to achieve my desired dreams and goals.

Looking at life from a growth mindset has also reinforced the importance of effort in my life. Nothing happens without effort and effort is definitely worthwhile. Especially if I have given it my all. Coming up against resistance is natural, but then it is what I learn from the experience that counts. If it is a failure (or failure to move as fast as expected), I learn from and question what I am doing. Evaluating the results of effort is then the process of decision making and working out whether to continue. Is there is a better way to do it? How can I grow from this situation and develop my skills or even myself? Is it a pattern that I am repeating? Sometimes to even question if this is still a goal I wish to achieve. It is an appraisal of the time and effort put in.

Something that I am a big believer in is that we should give everything a try before deciding whether it is right for us. And by giving it a try that necessitates putting in effort.