“Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations” is a statement people with a growth mindset embrace. According to Chris Myers, former contributor at Forbes magazine, people with a growth mindset “tend to be happier, more satisfied, and more at peace than their fixed-mindset colleagues.” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/10/20/if-you-want-to-achieve-long-term-happiness-embrace-the-growth-mindset/)
“Growth mindset refers to our core belief that our talents can be developed through practice, which may influence our thoughts and behaviors,” and studies have shown that people with a growth mindset are less prone to mental health problems than individuals with a fixed mindset. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9046553/)
Here are some examples of a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset –
When faced with challenges, instead of “I’m not good at this,” a growth mindset says, “This is hard, but I’ll find a way to learn it.”
Views on effort: Instead of “Talent alone creates success,” it believes, “Dedication and hard work will take me far.”
When feedback is given, instead of getting defensive, one embraces constructive criticism as a tool for self-improvement.
When one makes mistakes, instead of “I’m embarrassed,” one thinks, “Everyone makes mistakes; this is a chance to learn.”
When others are succeeding or receiving recognition, instead of feeling threatened, one feels inspired by others’ achievements.
Changing from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset won’t happen overnight, but it is possible. It starts with awareness of the area(s) where your mindset is fixed. Then, choose a different perspective and think differently about those situations. Have patience with yourself; it takes time for your brain to develop new thought patterns. Focus on progress, embrace challenges, and stretch yourself by being curious about new experiences and knowledge.
Take some time this week to be curious about and become aware of your mindset. Are there any areas where you have a fixed mindset? If so, embrace the challenge and step on the path to unlimited growth and potential.
Check out this video to learn more:
Comments are closed