Lately there has been a lot of buzz about “growth mindset.”
The work of Dr. Carol Dweck, a world-renowned Stanford University psychologist, and her book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” has been percolating into mainstream media and culture as awareness grows about the link between mindset and human potential.
According to Dr. Dweck, there are 2 mindsets: fixed and growth. A fixed mindset asserts that intelligence is fixed at birth, is unchangeable, and is not greatly influenced by nature or nurture. A growth mindset embraces the concept of neuroplasticity and recognizes that through effort, we change, grow, and achieve. Not only does a growth mindset sound better from the get-go but it can also generally lead to a more balanced state of well-being, positivity, and resilience in life– whether facing daily struggles or more significant setbacks.
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Fixed mindset folk often avoid situations in which they will be evaluated, seek external affirmation, routinely generate negative self-talk, and may be quick to label themselves when situations don’t go as wished– “unloved”, “unlucky”, “unattractive” and etc. As a result of believing that their ability/intelligence is fixed and that no amount of effort alters that, they often turn to unhealthy habits like overeating, alcohol, and inactivity– creating a multitude of barriers to success and wellness.
Growth Mindset
If you are an athlete in sports or on the field of life, you already know that attitude is everything. A growth mindset takes this to the next level, with data and research to back it up.
Here are tips to get started!
– Let go of perfection and focus on effort.
– Don’t let a failure define or label you.
– Seek feedback and information that will help you learn.
– Identify and stop negative self-talk.
– Remember that your abilities can be expanded– change and growth are possible through EFFORT!
Take the quiz here to determine which mindset you have and to learn more about Dr. Dweck’s work. Start practicing a growth mindset to feel better, improve your relationships, and unlock your true potential.
