What perspective do you have on the obstacles that come your way? Are these seemingly insurmountable mountains? Or are they really mole hills that must be climbed? People might have either a fixed or a growth mindset, according to Carol Dweck in her book Mindset. The fixed mindset holds that things are just the way they are and that you have no control over them. A growth mindset believes that this is how things are right now and that you have the power to change them.
A fixed mindset increases your inclination to give up when presented with adversity. A fixed mindset believes that no amount of effort will be effective. You ponder all of the most disastrous “what if” scenarios: What if I fail? What happens if I don’t live up to expectations? What if I appear ridiculous? A fixed mindset will actually hinder your growth before you even begin.
A growth mindset, on the other hand, views adversity as a challenge. It answers the “what if” questions: I may fail the first time, but I will keep trying until I succeed. I may not be particularly good at this yet, but I strive to continue improving. Who is interested in what others think of me? What is meaningful is the way I perceive myself. Even when faced with a challenge, a growth mindset will propel you forward. Hard work and dedication, in accordance with a growth mindset, will make all the difference in the world.Chances are, you have a fixed or growth mindset in different areas of your life. You might, for instance, have a restrictive viewpoint on marriage. Since most marriages end in divorce, why should mine be any different; but a growth mindset when it comes to work: I haven’t mastered Excel yet, but I’ll have it down by the time the next expense report is due. Fortunately, changing your thinking is possible with some effort and self-evaluation; Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt’s wise saying that “Think you can and you are halfway there.”