Fixed vs Growth Mindsets

Fixed Mindset people believe their qualities are fixed traits and therefore cannot change. They discuss their intelligence and talents as a finite thing rather than working to develop and improve them. More often than not, they believe that talent alone leads to success, and effort is not required. Some may also believe that it is not worth trying to succeed because, from the outset, they are a lost cause.

Growth Mindset people have an underlying belief that their learning and intelligence can grow with time and experience. When people believe they can be better, they realize that their effort has an effect on their success. So they put in extra time, leading to much greater achievements. These people are not put off by a bit of hard work and tend not to let failure stand in their way. They get knocked down and immediately get back up again – try, try again!

Carol Dweck, a researcher at Stanford University, introduced these ideas and wrote a book to describe each mindset in more detail. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Dweck)

As you can guess, it is detrimental to your future to believe that you cannot grow and develop any further. If you believe that you are what you are and that you will never achieve anything more… then you probably will not. However, a hunger for knowledge, a thirst for learning and a bit of hard work could mean that you end up achieving far more than your fixed mindset counterparts.

How many of you were told at school that you would not achieve very much? And how many have proved your old teachers were wrong?

I have been using Fixed Vs Growth Mindset Materials with young learners for some time now in order to achieve the following:

·       Higher Self Esteem

·       Greater Resilience

·       A Love of Learning

·       Less Fear of Failure

·       Volition to take on New Challenges

I have been using the amazing resources from Big Life Journal (https://biglifejournal.com/ ) whose posters are excellent for the classroom and whose resources are helpful for all my clients…of all ages! This got me thinking about whether or not this was applicable only to children. I have always found that androgogy bears a huge resemblance to pedagogy. It is obviously much better to instill such traits from as early an age as possible, however I also think that creating a coaching and mentoring programme which focuses on building the above through practice of Fixed Vs Growth Mindsets is essential for both old and young!

How to develop a Growth Mindset

According to Develop Good Habits we should follow these 17 basic rules:

1.       Acknowledge and Embrace Weaknesses;

2.     View Challenges as Opportunities;

3.     Know your Learning Style and Employ the Correct Learning Strategies;

4.     Remember that the Brain has the Ability to Change throughout Life;

5.     Prioritise Learning over Seeking Approval;

6.     Focus on the Process over the End Result;

7.     Cultivate a Sense of Purpose;

8.     Choose Learning Well over Learning Fast;

9.     Reward Efforts & Actions, not Traits;

10.   Learn to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism;

11.   Need for Improvement does not Mean Failure;

12.   Reflect on your Learning Every Day;

13.   Learn from the Mistakes of Others;

14.   Think of Learning as ‘Brain Training’;

15.   Cultivate Grit;

16.   Never Stop Learning: Set a New Goal for Every One You Accomplish;

17.   Remember that Progress Takes Time

If this has whet your appetite for more, I can highly recommend Team Working International managed by husband and wife duo Tom and Kole Flatau. They run a number of high level training programmes all over the world, but this is one that caught my attention: Mindset Training.

Take a moment to listen to Tom speak and you will be further enthused by the subject I am sure.

If you would like to learn more details please do not hesitate to get in touch.