Have you ever wondered why some people THRIVE under pressure, but some others crack and crumble? Have you ever wondered why some people are always on the search for more, seeming never content, and always conquering new challenges, yet others remain stagnant, seemingly uninterested in self development or self improvement?
Have you ever wondered why some people see working for themselves as a great risk, while others see it as an absolute must? The answer lies in their mindset.
Some people have what is called a “FIXED MINDSET” and some have a “GROWTH MINDSET”
Take for example, receiving critical feedback. Someone with a FIXED MINDSET might view it as a personal attack, and not learn anything from the feedback, or USE IT to improve or grow. While the one with a GROWTH MINSET might use the feedback to learn how to improve in the future.
These two mindsets are the reason you see PROBLEMS or CHALLENGES. Mountains or mere hurdles. These two mindsets can have a huge influence on your life
The two mindsets were first identified by Carol Dweck who wrote the book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
Let’s go over them in more detail:
The Two Types of Mindsets
1. Fixed Mindset
Fixed mindsets people might think “I’ve been this way and I’ll always be this way.” The fixed mindset doesn’t see possibilities or opportunities. It sees things how they’ve always been, and expects that is how they will continue to be.
But of course, that just not true. You have the ability to change and improve ANY situation, as soon as you change and improve your MINDSET.
According to the author, “In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort.”
Fixed Mindset Examples
- Easily threatened when others around them are successful
- Shying away from challenges and projects that require more work
- Give up very easily when things go wrong
- Avoid failing at all costs because if they fail there is no way to succeed in the future. These individuals think their destiny is determined.
2. The Growth Mindset
Here’s how the author defined a growth mindset: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
Those who live with a growth mindset tend to believe they can develop into anyone, and achieve anything through hard work and dedication. These individuals think of tough situations as challenges, not threats. They see each obstacle as an opportunity to grow and develop.
While people with fixed mindsets tend to be negative and afraid of failing, people with a growth mindset are the exact opposite. They rarely fear failure as they know no failure is permanent and they usually bounce back very fast from any failure.
Growth Mindset Examples
- They seek out challenges to grow and become a better version of themselves.
- They use others achievements and successes as motivation to succeed.
- The persevere when things get difficult.
- They se feedback to their advantage. The sooner they can take feedback the sooner they can learn from it and make progress.
So, what Mindset Do You Have?
A fixed mindset that avoids challenges or a GROWTH mindset that SEEKS challenges? A fixed mindset that seeks comfort or a GROWTH mindset who is never comfortable?
Keep in mind you are not BORN with these mindsets. You’ve developed them throughout your life journey, and you can develop a NEW MINDSET if that is your choice.
There’s no right or wrong mindset… but if you want to ACHIEVE certain things, it would certainly help to develop a GROWTH MINDSET. If you want more peace and comfort in your life, maybe you would like to take a step back and develop more of a FIXED MINDSET… if you do, please leave this page immediately as our content is not for FIXED MINDS.
May you all be blessed and GROW into the VERY BEST VERSIONS of yourselves.
great article
I use mindfulness to get to a mindset with my students, I’m a physical education teacher in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. I tend to work on their mindset so they can achieve their goals in life without getting bogle with their surroundings.