Growth VS Fixed Mindset
Sucess is as much about mindset and approach as it is about performance. Oftentimes, the greatest roadblock to our overall achievement is ourselves. The way that we think affects everything that we do. How do we grow past ourselves and our own limitations?
First, you have to believe that it’s possible. Brings you right back to the mindset, doesn’t it?
Take a look at this comparison between a growth and fixed mindset.
Growth Mindset:
Welcomes feedback.
Learns from criticism.
Accepts and completes challenges.
Max effort, never quits.
Uses failure to learn to grow.
Talent and skills can be developed.
Thinking “I can do it.”
Fixed Mindset:
Avoids feedback and criticism.
Doesn’t like challenges.
Little effort, quits easily.
Sees failure as a bad thing.
Believes talent and skills are innate, not developed.
Thinking ‘I can’t do it.”
Do you recognize yourself in these thought patterns? It’s difficult not to, and you may find that you’re not all one or the other. Or, maybe you are. Either way, knowing how you respond to challenges, failure, and criticism is the gateway to making necessary changes.
To understand each mindset a bit more, let’s take a closer look at the thoughts behind them.
Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is a state of mind that believes intelligence and skills can be developed over time and that you can become good at whatever you apply yourself to. It welcomes feedback and learns from criticism. It accepts and completes challenges with max effort and doesn’t quit. It uses failure to learn and grow, and cultivates talent through it. It’s a positive attitude that thinks “i can do anything” vs “I’m good at what I’m good at.”
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck of Stanford was the first to describe the ‘growth mindset’ after conducting a study on high school students. She gave them puzzles ranging from easy to hard, and to her surprise, many of them embraced the challenge and weren’t devastated if they failed.
After continuing her studies, she found it was more beneficial to praise the process vs natural ability. Effort, strategies, persistence, and resilience in particular.
When fostering a growth mindset, tell yourself “great effort” but also look for ways to improve. This makes you feel good in the short and long term.
Adapting to a growth mindset ensures that you’re focused on the process rather than the result. You know that you may not be amazing right away, but that doesn’t stop you. You acknowledge that it will be uncomfortable, but it’s worth the stretching.
Fixed Mindset
A fixed mindset believes that if you are not good at something right away, you will never be. It avoids feedback and criticism and doesn’t like challenges. It puts in little effort and gives up easily. It sees failure as a bad thing, as opposed to a learning opportunity. talent and skills are not given the opportunity to be developed, and it leaves you where you started, with little confidence in your abilities. It thinks “I can’t do it.” and “This is how it will always be.”
Grow as You Go
Change doesn’t happen instantly! There’s no quick fix to changing your mindset. You must be willing to take it one step at a time and let go of the fear of the unknown. Even if you’re doing all you can to make your business thrive, it’s still easy to get stuck. In those moments you have to resist the temptation to give in to complacency and accept that “This is just how it is for me.” it never ‘has’ to be any way that you don’t want it to.
Comparison Kills
With the click of a button, you can scroll through someone else’s seemingly untouchable business, and travel full throttle down Comparison Lane. DON”T! Remember, social media is a highlight reel.
Can You Change?
Even as adults, the brain continues to develop and change. The brain is similar to plastic, in that it can be remolded over time as new neural pathways form. The brain can grow new connections, strengthen existing ones, and improve the speed of pulse transmission. This suggests that a person with a fixed mindset CAN develop a growth mindset over time. Not only is changing your mindset possible, but it’s also scientifically proven!
How To Change Your Headspace
Reflect on who you are as a person and how your brain works. Do you find yourself immediately jumping to the negative?
Assess yourself. What causes you to go to the negative thoughts first? Do you know why you hold yourself back? Stop giving fear a seat at the table.
Ask for help. your community will keep you accountable and grounded!
Quick Tip: Find your tribe. Find the people that believe in you and in what you’re building. The ones that will tell you when you’re wrong and spot you when you’re launching into something new. People that are invested in you and in the dream, will not allow you to settle at a destination that ends at your limitations.
Fun fact: blueberries are known to help create new neural pathways and improve brain function!