Growth Mindset — how does your mindset affect success?

Two mindsets that change everything

Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist, found after 30 years of research that people hold one of two basic mindsets about their abilities — and that this mindset has a huge impact on their success.

Growth Mindset

People with a Growth Mindset believe that:

• Intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort
• Failure is an opportunity to learn, not proof of a lack of talent
• Criticism is feedback, not an attack
• Effort is the path to mastery

The effect: they take on challenges, are not afraid of mistakes and learn faster.

Fixed Mindset

People with a Fixed Mindset believe that:

• Intelligence is innate and unchangeable
• Failure proves a lack of ability
• If something doesn't come easily, "I have no talent for it"
• Effort is a sign of weakness, not strength

The effect: they avoid challenges, give up at the first difficulty and learn more slowly.

Scientific research

Dweck ran experiments in which children heard one of two sentences after solving a task:

• "You're so smart!" (praise for talent → strengthens a Fixed Mindset)
• "You worked really hard!" (praise for effort → strengthens a Growth Mindset)

Children praised for effort then chose harder tasks and achieved better results.

How to change your mindset?

1. Notice your inner voice — when it says "I can't do it", add "yet"
2. Praise the process, not the result — "I prepared well" instead of "I'm a genius"
3. Treat mistakes as data — what can I take away from this?
4. Learn from others — other people's success is inspiration, not a threat
5. Set learning goals, not outcome goals

Take the free Mindset Test at PsychoProfil.pl — 12 questions, Growth vs Fixed Mindset.