What type of mentality do you have? Do you have a mindset that motivates you to be the best version of yourself, no matter what happens?
How a person sees the world and themselves can be described as a mindset. Your attitude can greatly impact your choices, behaviors and ideas when it comes down to achieving your goals. Your work, relationships with others, and daily routine can all be affected by your mindset. The type of mindset that you adopt determines who you are and what you can do.
There are two types: fixed and growth. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Fixed Mindset
People with a fixed mentality believe that their abilities are unchangeable and cannot be altered. Fear of failure is what makes them more inclined to avoid new challenges. A fixed-minded person will avoid making mistakes and try to avoid them at all costs. However, if they do make mistakes, they will often blame external factors. A person with a fixed mentality is less likely to accept feedback. They may become defensive and engage in arguments.
How can a fixed mindset be developed?
Your childhood experiences will determine the type of mentality you develop. Children who were taught all things are either black or white and discouraged from taking on challenges will likely have a fixed outlook. Children who have a fixed outlook on life find it hard to adjust to changes when times get tough.
Growth Mindset
A person who has a growth mindset will welcome challenges and see them as opportunities for growth. They see the glass half-full, which means they are more likely to find the silver lining in difficult times. These people believe their abilities aren’t fixed and can change over time. They are open to receiving feedback and often use it to improve themselves.
What is a growth mindset?
Children who are allowed to experiment, make mistakes and learn from their mistakes often have a growth mindset. They can build resilience and bounce back from setbacks. These people tend to have happier and more fulfilling lives. They don’t fear failure and resist the pressure to conform to society’s expectations.
Common myths regarding growth mindset
If we don’t understand a growth mindset, it can be hard to create one. Let’s look at some common misconceptions that could hinder your ability to see the world and yourself differently.
You either have, or you don’t have a growth mindset.
Wrong! It doesn’t matter if you were raised with a fixed mindset. With the right strategies, you can develop a growth mindset. It is possible to train your mind and bring about positive changes in your thinking.
A growth mindset means that you are always positive.
It is almost impossible to maintain a positive attitude and a ‘can do’ attitude at all times. Bad days will happen, and that’s okay. A growth mindset doesn’t mean being denialist about your limitations. Instead, it means accepting them and understanding that you can overcome these obstacles and still reach your goals.
Focusing on the outcomes is the only way to grow a growth mindset.
It’s important not to only focus on the result of life. However, it is equally important to recognize the learning and progress made to achieve that outcome. The process includes seeking support, trying new methods and exploring new approaches to solving a problem. If you feel that you have made progress and are being rewarded, you will be more motivated to continue even when you face setbacks.
A growth mindset will automatically lead to a positive outcome.
A growth mindset is a great way to be successful, but there will be times when things don’t go your way. This is part of the learning process. You can learn a lot from failure.
