Last week, at a meeting about a writing project I’m involved in, someone said, “Only people with a growth mindset will want to read this.” This made me think about how a growth mindset is a key determinant of success in life. Read on to learn how someone with a fixed mindset can take steps toward adopting a growth mindset.
The Difference Between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset
I had never heard the terms growth mindset and fixed mindset until a couple of years ago when they suddenly became trendy in the corporate world. They might seem like the latest in a long line of corporate buzzwords, but the research behind the theory is not new.
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck started studying mindset in the 1970s. Her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success was first published in 2006 and republished in 2017. Dweck’s research showed the power of mindset in determining success in life.
In short, someone with a growth mindset holds the view that intelligence and personality can be cultivated and grown over time. On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset believes we’re born with limits on intelligence and innate personality traits that don’t change.
Identifying Your Mindset
So how can you figure out which type of mindset you have? It comes down to examining your views on your ability to learn and grow over your lifetime.
In the LinkedIn Learning course, Cultivating a Growth Mindset, Gemma Leigh Roberts presents a series of statements to help learners understand if they have a growth or fixed mindset.
Someone with a growth mindset is likely to believe:
- They can increase their intelligence levels with hard work.
- It’s always possible to improve ability.
- Dedicated practice can increase talent levels, even for those who don’t have natural talent.
- Learning new skills is within their control.
On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset likely believes:
- They have a set level of intelligence that can’t be changed.
- Abilities don’t change much once they reach adulthood.
- They have a certain level of talent, and there isn’t much they can do to change it.
- It’s difficult to learn new skills.
Developing a Growth Mindset
If you found yourself on the fixed mindset side of the equation, I have good news. There are things you can do to develop a growth mindset. Here are a few practical steps.
Reprogram Your Inner Voice
Individuals with a growth mindset believe anything is possible. If you have a fixed mindset, pay attention to the messages you’re sending yourself.
If you find yourself thinking things like “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” or “I can’t do that” or “I’m not very good at …”, stop yourself. Those are things someone with a fixed mindset says.
When you hear yourself saying or thinking “I can’t”, ask yourself why not! Instead of beating yourself up over things you’re not good at, resolve to take one small step to improve in that area. Those small steps add up over time.
Ask Questions
People with a growth mindset pay attention to what’s going on around them. They usually listen more than they talk and ask lots of questions.
If you hear something you’d like to know more about, ask questions. Most people are more than happy to answer questions about a topic they’re interested in.
Embrace Lifelong Learning
Learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom. People with a growth mindset are constantly seeking out new information and learning opportunities.
Set a goal to learn something new every day. Reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and watching documentaries or YouTube videos are all ways to flex your lifelong learning muscle.
Follow Your Curiosity
Curiosity is one of the key characteristics of someone with a growth mindset.
If something sparks your curiosity, follow the thread to learn more. If you don’t have time to learn more right now, start a list of things you want to know more about. Then, instead of scrolling through your social media feed in the evenings, set aside time to follow up on that list.
What’s your first reaction when faced with something difficult? Do you think you have a growth mindset? Drop me a comment below with your thoughts and ideas.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.