There is nothing quite as important as your mindset — your outlook on how things unfold in the world. I always knew that my approach to things was important but this idea was further magnified after I read Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

Dr. Dweck redefines the idea of mindset. The idea that we can be anything we want, fulfill any dream, accomplish any goal. It’s so simple and her research is sound that it’s hard not to believe what she says as truth:

Our abilities and talents can be developed. We can reshape ourselves into a better, more successful version. All we have to do is adopt a growth mindset.

People that adopt a growth mindset understand that persistence and effort matters. This concept makes success something that is simply achieved over time. Not if, but when.

They think:

1. No matter how much intelligence you have, you can always change quite a bit.

2. You can always substantially change how intelligent you are.

3. No matter what kind of person you are, you can always change substantially.

4. You can always change the basic things about the kind of person you are.

This is in direct contrast to those that have fixed mindsets. Dr. Dweck states that our society produces people with fixed mindsets. These people avoid effort for the fear of failing. They are afraid to look like someone that is not innately talented. These people believe that our talents and abilities are fixed. We are either born champions or losers, that our environment shapes our future, that we are born into a life of mediocrity.

They think:

1. Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can’t change very much.

2. You can learn new things, but you can’t really change how intelligent you are.

3. You are a certain kind of person, and there is not much that can be done to really change that.

4. You can do things differently, but the important parts of who you are can’t really be changed.

The two types of mindsets can mean the difference between failure and success. It can also mean the difference between happiness, freedom, and autonomy or mediocrity and a life without passion.

It often means the difference between starting something new and settling for what is already the norm.

Adopting a growth mindset is the foundation of success and must be applied to all other areas of personal and professional development. Dr. Dweck often talks about the growth mindset’s application to sports, business, learning, and parenting.

It is a universal concept that lies at the bottom of the pyramid of success.

GROW YOUR MINDSET

I took the following passages directly out of her book. It is a word for word, practical application of the growth mindset:

♦ People are all born with a love of learning, but the fixed mindset can undo it. Think of a time you were enjoying something- doing a crossword puzzle, playing a sport, learning a new dance. Then it became hard and you wanted out. Maybe you suddenly felt tired, dizzy, bored or hungry. Next time this happens, don’t fool yourself: it’s a fixed mindset. Put yourself in a growth mindset. Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. 

♦ It’s tempting to create a world in which we’re perfect. We can choose partners, make friends, hire people who make us feel faultless. But think about it- do you want to never grow? For the rest of your life, seek constructive criticism.

♦ Is there something in your past that you think measured you? Focus on that thing. Feel all the emotions that go with it. Now put it in a growth-mindset perspective. Look honestly at your role in it, but understand that it doesn’t define your intelligence or personality. Instead, ask: What did I (or can I) learn from that experience? How can I use it as a basis for growth? Carry that with you instead. 

♦ How do you act when you feel depressed? Do you work harder at things in your life or do you let them go? Next time you feel low, put yourself in a growth mindset- think about learning, challenge, confronting obstacles. Think about effort as a positive, constructive force, not as a big drag.

♦ Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but were afraid you weren’t good at? Make a plan to do it.

Whatever you aim to do, a growth mindset shapes the outcome.

It is a universal concept that lies at the bottom of the pyramid of success.

Onward, 

Chief