Better Choices, Better Outcomes

MINDSET – BELIEVE & GROW

Working hard has always been valued and we know it’s a good way to achieve our goals.

Some people have a natural talent for things, and it is easy to believe that this talent or gift is the reason why some succeed and are satisfied, and some of us are not.

Developing ourselves and each other takes a learning, disciplined approach, and plenty of practise.

We can choose to believe that the obstacles, diversions, errors and failures that come onto our path are impediments to progress, or we can choose to belief that these things provide growth opportunities that we are privileged to experience and learn from.

It’s a question of mindset.

Mindset is about how your feelings and patterns of behaviour manifest throughout all areas of your life. Where your mindset is strong, you’ll get the behaviours you want in the key areas of your life. Where your mindset has weaknesses, you’ll see patterns of behaviour that hold you back.

In her book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” Carol Dweck describes the concept of a “Fixed Mindset” or a “Growth Mindset”.

A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static truths which we cannot change in any meaningful way.

 A “growth mindset,” on the other hand, thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence but as an educational springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities.

Out of these two mindsets, which we manifest from a very early age, springs a great deal of our behaviour, our relationship with success and failure in both professional and personal contexts, and ultimately our capacity for happiness.

What Is Your Mindset?

To find out, start by reading the following statements and decide which ones you agree with most:

  1. People have a certain amount of intelligence, and there isn’t any way to change it.
  2. No matter who you are, there isn’t much you can do to improve your basic abilities and personality.
  3. People are capable of changing who they are.
  4. You can learn new things and improve your intelligence.
  5. People either have particular talents, or they don’t. You can’t just acquire talent for things like music, writing, art, or athletics.
  6. Studying, working hard, and practicing new skills are all ways to develop new talents and abilities.

If you tend to agree with statements 1, 2, and 5, then you probably have a more fixed mindset. If you agree with statements 3, and 4, 6, however, then you probably tend to have a growth mindset.

Can you change your mindset?

There is no “button” for achieving a growth mindset, however, if we focus on the things we can control we will make progress.  We can choose to hear our own inner voice, but not to always believe it; don’t listen to its doubts and fears, but re-frame them as opportunities and ask ourselves and others better questions such as “how can we….?”  “What will it take to…..”.  If we learn to observe our own mind and thoughts, then we will remain calm enough to make better choices and learn from them, even if the outcome is not what we first envisioned.

By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, we can help people understand that their efforts, hard work, and dedication can lead to change, learning, and growth both now and in the future.

Adapted from

https://positivepsychology.com/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset/

https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/

I hope that this article helps you believe in yourself and your abilities to grow, to develop, and to thrive beyond what you currently perceive as your limits.