“Great things are accomplished not by those who stand on the sidelines and just watch, but by those who step up and have a growth mindset.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
The “fixed mindset” and the “growth mindset” are two different ways of thinking about our abilities and our intelligence. A “fixed mindset” is the belief that our dispositions and intelligence are fixed traits that cannot be changed, while a “growth mindset” is the belief that our skills and intelligence can be developed through hard work. , determination and learning from our mistakes.
The fixed mindset
People with a fixed mindset tend to believe that their intelligence and capabilities are predetermined and cannot be improved. They may avoid challenges that might reveal their weaknesses, give up easily when faced with obstacles, view criticism as a personal attack, and become defensive when their abilities are questioned.
The growth mindset
In contrast, people with a growth mindset believe that their intelligence and skills can be developed through effort and persistence. They embrace challenges and see them as opportunities for growth and learning, viewing mistakes and failures as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than as a reflection of their inherent abilities.
Greater creativity
Research has shown that having a growth mindset can lead to better performance, greater creativity and higher levels of resilience and well-being. People with a growth mindset are also more likely to achieve their goals and persevere in the face of obstacles.
How to adopt a growth mindset?
It is important to note that mindset is not fixed and can be changed. With effort and practice, individuals can develop a growth mindset, and enjoy the benefits that come with it.
Here are some steps to follow to develop such a mentality:
- Become aware of your current state of mind : are you more in a growth or limitation mentality (fixed mindset)? What are your limiting beliefs and how can they prevent you from progressing?
- Learn to accept failure : Instead of seeing failure as a sign of incompetence, see it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Try to understand what went wrong and how you can do better next time.
- Cultivate a positive attitude : focus on the positive aspects of each situation instead of the negatives. Seek to see opportunities rather than obstacles.
- Be curious and learn continuously : Constantly seek to learn new things and improve. Broaden your horizons by exploring new topics and meeting new people.
- Show perseverance : don’t let difficulties discourage you. Instead, continue to work hard and persevere until you achieve your goals.
It is important to note that most people are not completely in one camp or the other, but rather have a combination of these two mentalities depending on the situation. Additionally, it is entirely possible to shift from a limitation mindset to a growth mindset by changing your beliefs and adopting practices that encourage growth and development.
Conclusion
Adopting a growth mindset can have significant benefits in all aspects of life, allowing for greater openness to learning, greater resilience in the face of failure and obstacles, and greater motivation to achieve goals. goals.