Growth Mindset or Fixed Mindset?
Can the way we view ourselves and our abilities influence our lives? Absolutely. The way we think about our intellect and talents not only affects how we feel, but it can also affect what we achieve, whether we cling to new habits, or whether we continue to develop new skills.
The Fixed Mindset leads to a desire to look smart. In this mindset, people believe that their intelligence is fixed and static. It, therefore, tends to avoid challenges, get defensive or give up easily, see effort as fruitless, ignore use negative feedback, and feel threatened by the success of others. As a result, they plateau early and don’t achieve their full potential.
The Growth Mindset leads to a desire to learn. People believe that intelligence and talents can be improved through effort and learning in this mindset. It tends to embrace challenges, persists in the face of setbacks, see effort as the path to mastery, learn from criticism, and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others. As a result, they reach ever-higher levels of achievement.
The following pattern is designed to root out the fixed mindset and replace it with the gift of a growth mindset. Did you test yourself with the “Fixed/ Growth Evaluation” last week? Are you and the qualities and traits of your person fixed or fluid?
1) Set your Intention for the Growth Mindset.
Set highest and biggest reasons, let it permeate through you as your purpose— I am here to grow, to learn, to develop, not to prove myself.
Questions to ask:
- Why do you want to shift to the growth mindset?
- What is important to you?
- What is important about that?
(Repeat 4 more times with each answer)
2) Shift Any and Every Belief so It Reflects the Growth Mindset.
What beliefs holds you back and limits the growth mindset? (i.e., “people can’t change”).
Try on these words, “I believe that everything about me is designed to develop, my mind, my emotions, my personality traits, my personality, etc.” Or, “The brain is developing over the years of one’s life.” “Everyone is capable of transformation.”
How does that settle in for you? Check for any objections.
3) Address Any Objections or Remnants of the Fixed Mindset.
Does an audit of any fixed mindset ideas that may still have some pull on you?
How will you handle criticism, flaws, fallibility, competition, etc.?
Are there any negative emotions: bitterness, revenge, jealousy, inadequacy, self-contempt that you need to release?
4) Establish Expectations that Reflect the Growth Mindset.
As you try on the growth mindset as an attitude, what do you now expect of yourself? Of yourself as a person, when learning, when making a mistake, when criticized?
5) Establish a Growth Mindset Identity.
“I am a person who am always growing … and developing and changing …”
6) Establish a Growth Mindset Strategy.
Is your strategy for learning and setting goals and achieving outcomes focused on the end-product or on the process? Which gives you more joy?
When things go wrong, how quick are you to go into a learning mode rather than a blaming mode?
Install the question: “How can I learn this?” “What do I need to do to develop X?”
“Getting feedback is the key to growth and shaping new responses.” “What is the next level that I need to stretch me out of my comfort zone?” “What would make X more challenging?”
7) Future Pace and Check.
As you anticipate taking this new attitude into your immediate future, in the next days and weeks, how does this fit for you? Any part of you object?
Conclusion
The growth mindset can be developed through effort. Growth-minded people see failures as part of the learning process and rebound by working harder. This mindset boosts our motivation and performance.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: How what you think affects what you achieve
- [Certified_meta-coach] 2022 Morpheus #25 Indusing Growth Mindset by L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.
