In our increasingly busy world, we are constantly fed the next quick fix, hack, or app. We are told it will ‘enhance your performance and increase productivity’. What if the path to bettering ourselves was something else?
Mindset, the set of attitudes influencing how we think, feel, and behave, could be your answer (and save you a lot in those subscription fees!). Now, this isn’t by any means a quick fix, it requires time, effort, and commitment, but the impact is wide-reaching.
According to psychologist Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential, there are two types of mindset, Fixed and Growth. Those with a fixed mindset believe abilities are fixed traits that cannot be changed. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe talents and abilities can be developed over time through effort and persistence. To put it simply, people with fixed mindsets run from problems, people with growth mindsets embrace and engage with them.
Characteristics of a fixed mindset
– You fear not being smart or talented enough
– You only do activities you think you are good at
– You tend to be focused on success or failure
– You feel resistant to feedback
– You often feel threatened by others’ success
– You find yourself giving up easily
Characteristics of a growth mindset
– You use and actively seek out feedback to improve
– You enjoy learning new things
– You tend to persist with achieving goals
– You seek solutions and take a more creative approach
– You are motivated and find inspiration in others’ success
– You find satisfaction in the process, not the result
We all fit somewhere on the spectrum between fixed and growth mindsets. The good news is everyone and anyone can adopt a growth mindset at any time in their life. The question is how do you do that?
Be self-aware. Where are you currently with your mindset. Do you drift towards a closed mindset, avoiding problems or shutting yourself off to opportunities?
Focus on the process and the journey. Think of what you learn, and the skills acquired on each journey. Not achieving the original goal isn’t a failure, but rather a detour to a different goal and result. Consider all the progress you make regardless and feel good about that!
Consider the language you use. Be acutely aware of your thoughts and words. Replace the negative with positive. Try using, ‘not yet’, instead of ‘can’t’. Other options to try are, ‘I get to’ instead of ‘I have to’ or ‘challenge’ instead of ‘problem’.
Actively seek feedback. Think of feedback as a gift. Receiving feedback can feel uncomfortable. Begin by asking for feedback from those you trust. Family and friends can be good, but equally they may feel uncomfortable. Respected colleagues, team members or managers are great options. Receive feedback graciously and thank the person delivering it for you. Then take action to grow.
Set process goals. These are not about achieving an end goal but about introducing positive habits. For example, running 3 times per week may lead to you running a long distance, but the habit of regular running is what gets you there.
To unlock your growth mindset, you need to take action. Each small step is progress in the right direction. While you are at it, encourage others; praise and acknowledge their effort and attitude. It applies to us all, colleagues, partners, children, and friends. Adopt a growth mindset and consider where it might take you! It is contagious!
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