Wikipedia defines mindset as: A mindset is an established set of attitudes, esp. regarded as typical of a particular group’s social or cultural values; the outlook, philosophy, or values of a person; (now also more generally) frame of mind, attitude, [and] disposition.
According to Carol Dweck, the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, a mindset is a series of self-perceptions or beliefs people hold about themselves. These determine behavior, outlook and mental attitude that will determine how you will interpret and respond to situations. For example, believing you are either ‘intelligent’ or ‘ unintelligent’.
Carol Dweck is one of the world’s leading researchers on motivation and mindsets. Her work focuses on why people succeed and how it is possible to foster their success.
There are many types of mindsets, both positive and toxic, but according to Dweck, there are two basic mindsets: fixed and growth. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe your abilities are fixed traits and therefore can’t be changed. You may also believe that your talent and intelligence alone lead to success, and effort is not required.
On the flip side, if you have a growth mindset, you believe that your talents and abilities can be developed over time through effort and persistence. People with this mindset don’t necessarily believe that everyone can become Einstein or Mozart just because they try. They do, however, believe that everyone can get smarter or more talented if they work at it.
Dweck writes, “In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail or if you’re not the best—it’s all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome. They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, working on important issues”.
Here are some examples of fixed and growth mindsets:
Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Either I’m good I can learn to do at it or I’m not. anything I want. That’s just who I’m a constantly I am. I can’t evolving work change it. in progress. If you have to The more you work hard, you challenge yourself, don’t have the smarter the ability. you become.
If I don’t try, I only fail when then I won’t fail. I stop trying.
That job position That job position is totally out looks challenging. of my league. Let me apply for it.
Try to overcome negative, toxic thinking. No one is perfect, so don’t feel like you’re a failure if you occasionally make a mistake. Use mistakes as lessons to learn from. Progress is incremental and takes time. Don’t be impatient. Don’t give up hope if you don’t succeed right away. Remember that everyone who is now an expert, was once a beginner.
Recognize negative thoughts as they occur. Seek feedback from others, it’s a good way to develop a growth mindset. They can give you insight as to where you’re doing well or what needs improvement.
To encourage your positive beliefs, develop a positive self image. Make a list of your positive qualities, see yourself as an attractive and desirable person. Have an image of yourself as a smart and intelligent person. See a happy, healthy person when you look in the mirror. Take on new challenges. Set goals and objectives that are reasonable and measurable., surround yourself with positive people. Improve Your Physical Health, go for a walk, start working out.
According to an article in Linkedin there are four steps to create a growth mindset:
Step 1: Spot the patterns (Change the belief in our success) Step 2: Visualize your best self (Change the belief in our potential) Step 3: Learn what action you need to take (Take successful action) Step 4: Take action consistently (Change the results you achieve)
Steps 3 and 4 are very important. Some people think they only have to learn more. There’s nothing wrong with learning. Some knowledge you pay for ( schools, classes books, etc.), some knowledge is free(?) (experience, TV, advice, etc.). I’ve always thought you should gain as much knowledge as you can, from wherever you can. But some people mistake knowledge for action. You may know what to do, you just don’t do it.
A long time ago, on the Oprah Winfrey show, there was a segment where she introduced Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen. In this segment the two doctors would go to peoples houses to try to teach them how to eat healthier.
They would go to many houses and the same thing would happen over and over again. The doctors would ask the people to separate the foods they had into two groups. In their refrigerators and in their cabinets, they would ask the people to put the healthy foods on the right side and to put the unhealthier foods on the left.
Almost always, the people had no problems separating the foods correctly. They knew which foods were healthier, they knew which foods they should eat. The people knew what to do, but just didn’t do it.
I recently took a money management class and the instructor told us something very interesting. He said most people don’t have trouble with knowing what to do. They know they should save money, they know they should pay their bills on time, they know they shouldn’t make unnecessary purchases. etc. They know what to do, they just don’t do it.
You can see from these situations. that the knowledge of what to do is very important , but the knowledge isn’t all that is necessary, you have to take an action.
Thank you for visiting my website and reading this article. I hope it was interesting and educational. There are many belief systems and mindsets and I think they are all interconnected. I think that positive mindsets advocate for you to believe in yourself, consistently seek knowledge and take action. Please send in any comments or questions and please share this site with your friends and online
