When talking about mindset there’s a clear distinction between a “fixed” mindset and a “growth” mindset.
A “fixed” mindset is when we believe that our abilities, our traits, and are qualities are fixed–that they can’t ever change.
A “growth” mindset is when we see ourselves, our traits and our intelligence can grow and evolve with time and experience.
With a fixed mindset, we are more likely to feel the need to prove ourselves, to show that we are naturally smart or talented. Because if our intelligence or talents can’t grow with time or experience, we want to believe that we are innately talented.
With a growth mindset, on the other hand, we can allow for more personal vulnerability. While you may not be the smartest in the room right NOW, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever be. All that is required is a willingness to learn. Where we start doesn’t determine where we end up, when we look at life through a growth mindset.
Today ask yourself
- What mindset do I embody?
- Have I been living with a fixed or a growth mindset?
- How has my mindset been holding me back?
- What does this mindset provide for me?
- Would I be better served by a different mindset?
While it might seem simple, a shift in mindset can help the overall wellness in your life, and allow you to achieve more when setting goals and forming habits.
When we see life through a fixed mindset, we believe we cannot be changed, that all of our traits and talents are innate. But this would mean that there’s no point in trying new things, in putting effort into learning or to make any sort of positive change. A growth mindset can help turn a daunting task (like forming new, healthier habits) into a normal natural part of life. It no longer is a judgment on ourselves that we don’t know how to do something, it’s an opportunity to learn.
A growth mindset, according to Carol Dweck, is “the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others.”
This means that everyone, no matter innate qualities, has the ability to grow and change with time and experience. People with this mindset, Dweck says, “believe that a person’s true potential is unknown (and unknowable), that it’s impossible to forsee what can be accomplished with years of passion, toil, and training.”
So how can you start to shift from a fixed to a growth mindset?
- Embrace “flaws”–everyone has flaws. When you put effort into hiding or ignoring them, you deny yourself opportunity for growth. Instead, embrace your imperfections. Take time to acknowledge and greet them. Once you allow yourself to exist WITH your flaws, you can work on them, and make positive change in your life.
- Shift from “failure” to “learning”–rather than viewing an outcome you don’t like as a failure, try to see it instead as an opportunity for learning. What did you gain from this? How can you use that to be better going forward?
- Put the emphasis on ACTION not RESULT–when you reward yourself for learning (the action of learning) you’ll be more likely to want to CONTINUE to learn. Instead of seeing progress only through results, start to see how the action of making change is progress in itself.
- Use the word “yet”–maybe you don’t have the skills you want right now. All that means is you haven’t learned them yet! When you start to say “I can’t” end the thought with “yet.” You can’t do that YET, but that doean’t mean you won’t EVER be able to.
- Never stop learning–when you achieve one goal, set another!
Learning to shift from a fixed to a growth mindset means shifting your view on failure & challenges. In a fixed mindset, failure is the end, it means you did not achieve and now you never will. With a growth mindset, failure is just another opportunity to learn, and challenges are a chance for you to grow.
“Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better?” –Carol Dweck
Alyssa Mairanz, LMHC, DBTC
Alyssa Mairanz provides counseling and therapy services for life transitions, relationship issues, self esteem, depression, anxiety, and DBT and Psychodynamic therapy in a NYC group practice in the Flatiron District near Madison Square Park. She also serves the Village, Chelsea, Union Square, the Financial District and the surrounding areas.
Empower Your Mind Therapy’s mission is to helps our clients build the life they want and find more happiness and satisfaction.
