A fixed mindset versus a growth mindset (DW#308)
A big difference between people who set goals and those who don’t is the mindset around growth and change.
Carol Dweck, author of Mindset and one of the leading researchers in the field of motivation, differentiates between a "fixed mindset" versus a "growth mindset".
With a fixed mindset, people believe that they either have what it takes or they don’t. They are not open to trying new things, accepting challenging opportunities or learning new things. They resist change because they simply don’t believe it is possible. Failure to them is a sign that they don’t have what it takes so they do not try things which they might not succeed at.
People with a growth mindset on the other hand, embrace challenging opportunities because they believe that they can only reach their highest potential by consistently challenging themselves and playing outside their comfort zone. They believe that failure is a necessary to learning and growing.
Here is what she says about the growth mindset:
"In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt is just the starting point for development. The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Although people may differ in every which way—in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments—everyone can change and grow through application and experience."
Of course, you can have different mindsets for different areas of your lives.
Is there an area of your life where you have a fixed mindset? Where you are slightly disheartened and do not believe that change is possible? This fixed mindset may be holding you back in making progess in this area.
The good news is that mindset can be changed. One of the key takeaways from Dweck’s book is that change and growth is possible by planning what you want to achieve – in other words, by setting goals.
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