Fixed Vs. Growth Mindset

mindsetMindsets are beliefs—beliefs about yourself, your abilities and the world around you. Your mindset determines how you view your skills, intelligence, and talents. It determines your personality and how you view others. While some define the types of mindset into categories that you fall into, in Businetiks we look at mindset as a spectrum. This is based on the work of Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck who has conducted decades of research on achievement and success. On one side of the spectrum is the fixed mindset, on the other side is the growth mindset. You can fall at either end of the spectrum or anywhere in between.

The Fixed Mindset 

People with a fixed mindset believe that things simply are. They believe that they are born with specific talents and abilities and if they weren’t born with them, there is nothing they can do to change that. If they have a lot, they’re going to succeed and if they don’t they have to accept failure. People in this mindset worry about their traits and how adequate they are. They have something to prove to themselves and others.

A fixed mindset will hold you back. People with a fixed mindset do not believe that you can overcome situations through sheer effort. Either things will happen or they won’t. The fixed mindset see things as black and white.

The Growth Mindset

People with a growth mindset, on the other hand, see their qualities as things that can be developed through education, training, dedication and effort. It may be easier for them if they’re smart or talented, but that’s just the starting point. They understand that no one has ever accomplished great things without years of passionate practice and learning.

A growth mindset is essential to success. A growth mindset means you believe that you can learn, grow, and change for the better. People with the growth mindset believe in taking risks and facing challenges. The growth mindset means seeing things in shades of gray.

Along the spectrum, you can have a fixed mindset about somethings and a growth mindset about others. In Businetiks, we strive to move up the spectrum towards having a growth mindset about everything. The best thing about mindsets is they are learned and, because of this, they can be changed.

Pick your mindset. Push yourself towards growth and you will achieve success.

To learn more about how The Modern Observer Group can help you with Mindset Coaching, contact us here.