Mindset – How you can fulfill your potential – by Dr Carol S. Dweck

That are the two mindsets?

The Fixed mindset described un unchanging believe that things are as they are.

Example of this is people. That people have a fixed personality, skills and traits. These will not change. Therefor why should one invest in continues learning.

For a fixed mindset affirmation is looked for. To feel good for once innate abilities. Example of a person that is said to be smart because he or she was alway best in class in math. This person identifies the be the one that knows and as the smart one because of getting all as in test results. This Can be a performance booster. However at some point a challenge will be to big to solve without a fight or someone else will be smarter. This makes the fixed mindset person question his or her identity. Since there is no chance of developing and be no 1 again there is now point of doing once best. In studies presented in the book. Fixed mindsets prefer simpler tasks that confirms their belief that they are smart or the best. They enjoy to win and hates to lose. A task or a challenge is only fun if it is accomplished to the end. They do not enjoy the journey or the challenge it self.

Many examples in the book presents that complements, or introductions to studies easily can put a person in to a special mindset. Exampel of methods to inspire a fixed mindset is to affirm someones cuteness, cleverness, funniness or similar. Another way is to present examples of that the best always win.

For some people the fixed mindset turns in to a real negativity because of a person being dented as a natural talent or having the gift. Big expectation comes up that the person do not think they can live up to. This since they only see their current ability and do not see that they can grow.

Fixed mind setters often go for short tearm gratification.

A growth mindset expresses throw curiosity. To be the best is not important but to learn and develop. In business and management this express by being an active student and consider oneself as project more then as a finished product. In management focus is on the group and on growing together and not on boosting once own ego. Growth mindset managers look for people tat are better then them, and challenge and question them. Fixed mindsetter only wants people making them look like no one.

Growth mindset focuses and values learnability, willingness and hard work more the skill. They believe in every individuals infinite ability to grow and to do anything he or she wants.

A growth mind setter looks for opportunities to suport people to be there best and feels happy by others accomplishments.

To bring out the growth mindset words of appreciation to once effort, hard work and willingness are supportive. It tests with kids making a puzzle

In research described about mobbing the fixed mindset victims gets angry and builds up aggression towards the bully and looks for opportunity for revenge. The growth mindset victim has compassion for the bully and wants to talk to them and teach them that they do not have to bully to fell good. They aslo believe that the bully can change and grow out of this immature behavior. Also the school shootings are discussed as some of the boys that has committed them clearly had a fixed mindset. In schools where they actively created a growth culture bullying decreased. In one example where before the change to growth culture one girl was bullied from more then half of her class. One year later the same people were her protectors and supporters.

In a relationships with a person with a fixed mindset the expectation is that one are perfect matches for each other. If one finds out something about the otter one that is not on the want list this can be enough to break the relationship. Since the person will never change out of this awful habit and i will not learn to accept it. The only thing then is to quit. There is an expectation that everything will be perfect. Match made in heaven. relationships should not take any work.

In the growth mindset the goal is more then perfect that one supports each other for optimal growth. That one is there and develop and grow together. In a growth relationships the partner can raven break the mixed important rules and still be forgiven and trusted a new chance. An example mentioned is Hillary and Bill Clinton after Bills love affair. Hillary believed in his growth and change. The strategy they used was counseling for one full day per week for one year.

Children communication. Do we raise our children to be the best or fixed or to develop? Do you put focus on achievement such as: “Wow you made it an A you are so smart. You even did not study you are a natural.”

You got an A how does that make you feel? …. You got an A without studying. DO you feel challenged by scholl or do you feel under stimulated? I thnk you could have handled a more difficult task if you would put effort in. What do you think?

If a child gets perfect result fast without effort a growth mindset caretaker might say. _ You finished so fast with perfect result. I am sorry i did not give you a more challenging task so you wasted your time with this.

If not succeeding. I saw the hard work you put in to it and i have heard everything you have learnt. I am happy you did your best. Next time we can look in to different strategies we can work on that will also increase your result.

Takeway

Growth mindset creates problem solvers and leaders.

Some one else will always be able to solve a task more efficiently and cheaper. The west can not compete there. We need to teach our kids two things. To solve problems and to lead. – free quote from Seth Godin

It is not black or white that you have a fixed or a growth mindset. It can be in different in different areas. Maybe you have a growth mindset in business and a fixed at home. Try to identify what areas of life you have what mindset. Use the pyramid of mastery below to evaluate you mindset in different areas. If we identify a fixed mindset think back where this belief was created, what people and circumstances that created this belief. Then set a goal and create strategy how to get there.

Example can be a relationship oriented person loving to get new connections and learn about others. and at the same time did not learn the necessary skills to create financial abundance.

If you want to thrive and master your life a growth mindset in all areas is the only alternative.

Pyramid of mastery

The pyramid below is a great tool to evaluate and set goals. On a level from 1-10 were are you in each area? witch area do you think wold benefit you most if you grew in? how can you measure this growth? In my work with the pyramid of mastery i concluded that tree are no 10s in the present moment. Identify your 10 you want ot reach and celebrate when you get there. As soon as i have reahed a new level i see further of the horizon and my standard raises making my previous ten a seven.

Pyramid of mastery

I am very growth oriented and that itself is partly a fixed mindset. I have for the past 10 years been absorbing and learning a lot of different areas but i have often not been happy with the pace i learn or the level i reach that i expect of myself since i know how teachable i am. If i intend had an expectation of learning and growing and less ideas how i could attack learning with a beginners mind. This would make each step of the learning exciting and fun which is the foundation of learning. From this book it is so clear what mindset is desirable that the identification with it can be more important then the journey. However if you do not identify your starting point there is no point of setting a goal on where you want to go. Start with the fun and let each step be victory speed op the process in great momentum.

The Mindset book ads incredible value and is a must read. Get it in audio or paperback.