Summary:
What is a growth mindset? Fixed mindset, open mindset, learning mindset, how to develop a growth mindset and mindset for success
According to the Cambridge dictionary, a person’s mindset refers to their way of thinking and opinions. In other words, it’s our views and the way we think about things on a regular basis. It is a set of beliefs that influence how you perceive the world and yourself. It has an impact on how you think, feel, and act in any given scenario.
Did you know that the way you think about your abilities or talents influences the opinion you have of yourself? Yes, definitely! It can also impact the way you learn new skills and how you react to failures and rejections. We all have different personalities, abilities, and talents, and we differ in how we deal with difficult situations in life. Your mindset plays a profound role in how you lead your life.
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
- Fixed mindset: People who have a fixed mindset believe that their intelligence is fixed and static. It causes people to hide flaws and mistakes, get discouraged by failures, quit easily, and be unmotivated to pursue or fulfil their goals. They believe that their intelligence and talents are carved in stone and cannot be changed or improved upon.
- Growth mindset: People with a growth mindset believe that their intelligence and talents can be developed through hard work and learning. People with a growth mindset take challenges as opportunities for growth, accept failures as part of the learning process, and feel motivated to achieve their goals. They believe that qualities can be cultivated and failures are only temporary.
Shifting from A Fixed Mindset to A Growth Mindset
Someone with a fixed mindset will always be concerned about making mistakes, and they are hypersensitive when they receive negative feedback from others. Meanwhile, someone with a growth mindset understands that important skills can only be cultivated through sheer hard work and dedication. They thrive on challenges because they see them as learning opportunities.
A good example of a growth mindset is the behaviour of an infant. All of us are born with a strong desire to learn. Every day, infants put their skills to the test. They learn life’s most difficult skills, such as learning to walk and talk. They persevere and never give up. Babies are unconcerned about making mistakes or feeling embarrassed. They walk, stumble, and fall many times, but they always get back up and try again.
A person with a fixed mindset can easily change that to a growth mindset. Mindsets are nothing more than a collection of beliefs. They’re strong convictions, but they’re only in your head, and you may change your mind at any time. Remember, you have a choice!
Benefits of A Growth Mindset
1. You Take Challenges as Opportunities
When you have a growth mentality, you will stop seeing a challenge as something that is impossible to overcome. You will enjoy challenges because you get to learn from them.
2. Failure Is Taken as A Learning Step
Failure isn’t fun, but it does provide an opportunity to learn, reflect, and regroup. You will see your mistakes as an important part of the learning process and not something to be embarrassed about. Remember that these failures will ultimately mould you into a stronger person in the long run.
3. Emphasizes Growth Over Speed
Learning quickly isn’t the same as learning well, and learning effectively sometimes requires giving yourself time to make mistakes. Trying to accomplish too much too quickly can often have the opposite effect. Learning is a slow process that includes failure at times. Moreover, facing your failures allows you to learn more.
4. You Will Stop Seeking Approval from Others
When you place others approval ahead of your own learning, you’re sabotaging your own ability to progress. Keep focusing on your growth rather than comparing yourself with the success of others. Everyone has their own path in life.
5. You Will Be Able to Take Criticism Objectively
Criticism is simply an opportunity to learn more about yourself. Instead of being afraid of criticism, embrace it. Make an effort to be more curious. You may not always like what you hear, but you will discover what has to be changed or what areas need to be improved.
6. Helps to Learn New Skills
People who have a growth mentality understand that trying and failing is necessary for the learning process. You don’t need to know everything ahead of time. Stumbling, correcting, and progressing are all part of the learning process. Learning is a continuous process, and it is cultivated throughout one’s life.
7. You Will Learn to Take Risks
When you focus on growth, you will be ready to take chances. You will understand that making mistakes is part of the natural process of risk-taking. You will start to consider failure as a necessary aspect of progress, one that can aid in the acquisition of new knowledge and the development of new skills.
8. Improves Your Self-Esteem
People with a growth mindset have better self-esteem and resilience, as well as being more optimistic, courageous, and happy. They believe that by working hard and persevering, they can improve their abilities and attributes. This mindset promotes self-assurance and resilience in the face of criticism, and a desire to improve oneself and learn new things.
Take-Home Message
A growth mindset is beneficial because it can assist you in overcoming hurdles that you may encounter when learning new things or gaining new skills. It fosters not only immediate learning but also a passion for lifelong learning. You must shift your perspective and cultivate self-acceptance in order to build a growth mindset.
