Fixed or Growth, which one are you?
No, I’m not talking about home loans or financial planning here.
Many associates and clients have asked me about motivation, learning and mindsets, specifically the “Growth Mindset”. From playing rugby union and working in diverse corporate teams for the last 25 years, I have experienced many different coaching styles and tips for success. Some are good ol, well-worn cliches, such as “Train hard and win easy”, “Give 110%”, and “Pain is weakness leaving your body”. Corporate quotes aren't much better, and some defy descriptions, such as “Just copy and paste something from the web”, “Just get AI to do it”, and of course, the timeless classic “Failure is not an option”.
OK, what is the Growth Mindset, and how can we use it daily to make a difference?
An American psychologist, Carol Dweck, researched and authored books on motivation and personal/professional Growth. Her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006) presents several key findings regarding how mindsets influence personal and professional Growth. Here are the main points:
The Fixed Mindset: Individuals believe their abilities and intelligence are static traits. This mindset leads to a desire to prove oneself repeatedly, often avoiding challenges and feeling threatened by the success of others.
The Growth Mindset: We can change and develop; life offers opportunities to adapt, pivot, and grow dynamically. This mindset fosters a love for learning, resilience in the face of setbacks, and a focus on personal development rather than validation.
Impact on Learning and Achievement: Dweck’s research shows that students with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and view failures as learning opportunities. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset may avoid challenges to maintain their self-esteem, leading to stagnation.
Many of us desire and acknowledge the growth mindset; however, putting the theory into practice involves a deeper understanding and a solid daily routine.
Here is my understanding and the routine I like to follow. I hope you can find these terms and routines useful. Please feel free to add some extras to the comments section.
Main Points of the Growth Mindset
- Belief in Development: Individuals with a growth mindset believe their skills and intelligence can be enhanced through effort and learning. They view challenges as opportunities for Growth rather than obstacles to success.
- Embracing Challenges: A growth mindset encourages individuals to embrace challenges and persist despite setbacks. This resilience is crucial for overcoming difficulties and achieving long-term goals.
- Learning from Feedback: People with a growth mindset value constructive criticism and see it as a tool for improvement. They understand that feedback is essential for learning and development.
- Focus on Effort: This mindset emphasises the importance of effort over inherent talent. It fosters the belief that hard work, practical strategies, and guidance from others can lead to success.
- Resilience: A growth mindset cultivates resilience, allowing individuals to bounce back from failures and view them as learning experiences rather than definitive judgments of their abilities.
- Continuous Learning: Individuals with a growth mindset are lifelong learners. They actively seek new experiences and knowledge, understanding that Growth is a continuous process.
Best Methods to Implement a Growth Mindset into Daily Routine
- Set Learning Goals: Instead of focusing solely on performance outcomes, set specific learning goals that challenge you. This shifts the focus from proving abilities to improving them.
- Reflect on Challenges: At the end of each day, reflect on your challenges and what you learned from them. Ask yourself how these experiences can contribute to your Growth.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask peers, mentors, or supervisors for feedback. Use this feedback constructively to identify areas for improvement and to adjust your strategies.
- Celebrate Effort: Acknowledge and celebrate your efforts and progress, regardless of the outcome. This reinforces the value of hard work and persistence in your growth journey.
- Adopt a Positive Language: Change the way you talk to yourself. Use language that reflects a growth mindset, such as “I can improve with practice” instead of “I’m not good at this”.
- Learn from Others: Observe and learn from individuals with a growth mindset. Analyse their approaches to challenges and incorporate similar strategies into your own life.
- Practice Resilience: When faced with setbacks, practice resilience by focusing on what you can learn from the situation. Remind yourself that failure is a part of the learning process.
- Engage in Continuous Learning: Take up new hobbies, attend workshops, or pursue further education. This enhances your skills and reinforces the idea that Growth is always possible.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Surround yourself with people who encourage Growth. Engage in discussions that promote learning and development rather than competition.
Grow into Growing.
#growthmindset #continuallearning
