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Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.
Henry Ford
Turns out that this popular quote is spot on. Recent research shows that human beings are highly capable of change. This holds true even for elements like intelligence or empathy. We can become smarter, kinder, and learn how to be all kinds of things! The key, scientists have found, is a growth mindset.
QUIZ: do YOU Have a Growth Mindset?
What is a Growth Mindset?
Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychology professor, pioneered the idea of the growth mindset in her 2007 book. She sees it as the opposite of a fixed mindset. Those with fixed mindsets view people’s qualities as set from birth. You are born with certain traits and talents and that’s it. Dr. Jamil Zaki, another Stanford professor, calls these people “psychological fixists”.
On the other hand, people with growth mindsets see things less as traits and more as skills that can be developed. Zaki refers to them as “psychological mobilists”.
There’s another mindset in which these traits are not simply a hand you’re dealt and have to live with, always trying to convince yourself and others that you have a royal flush when you’re secretly worried it’s a pair of tens. In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt is just the starting point for development. This growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts.
Dr. Carol Dweck
People with growth mindsets strive to learn, even in the face of adversity, because they are convinced they can grow. They thrive, when others cower.
The 1st Step to Change is Believing it’s Possible
A fixist focuses on a person’s set point, asking how smart a person IS. A mobilist focuses on ranges, and asks how smart that person CAN BE. Both of these questions are important, but fixism has dominated more conversations about human nature than it deserves. As a result, we’ve underestimated our power over who we become.
Dr. Jamil Zaki
Your brain is shaped by the inputs you give it: experiences, thoughts, habits, education, etc. Thus, make a conscious decision to guide it towards growth.
Change Also Takes Effort
People with growth mindsets go after what they want. They are eager to learn and put things into practice. They see obstacles as challenges and learning opportunities. Life is your big laboratory – get out there and do, observe and try again!
How to Adopt a Growth Mindset
Challenge your fixist thoughts – whenever you find yourself thinking that you are stuck or you will never change, stop. Tell yourself growth is scientifically possible.
Do a daily growth mindset affirmation – strike a power pose and tell yourself “I can grow. I can learn.” every morning.
Immerse yourself in mobilist ideas – read books on growth mindset or listen to podcasts. Below are my recommendations:
Surround yourself with mobilists – find peers or mentors who love to learn and embrace challenges. This will make your journey easier.
Learn something – get out there and learn something, big or small!
Persist – people with a growth mindset treat obstacles as challenges from which to learn. So, next time you face a challenge, find a solution and keep going.
Practice – Treat new experiences as experiments. Try different approaches. Learn from both successes and “failures”.
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