Mr. James took his son, Bill, to a school for admission into the nursery class when Bill was three months shy of turning four. The nursery teacher led Bill to a separate room while Mr. James waited in the principal’s office. After half an hour, the teacher returned, her face beaming with delight, and handed the test paper to the principal. “Bill is a brilliant boy,” she noted. Mr. James felt a surge of pride. Bill was admitted and soon began his classes.
Six months later, Bill brought home a test result. His performance in mathematics was less than stellar. Worried, Mr. James visited the school the next day with the test result in hand, expressing concern about Bill’s future. With the wisdom of experience, the principal could have reassured Mr. James, reminding him that it was too early to worry. Bill continued his studies at the same school, earning a B grade at the O level and an A at the A level. Bill is now excelling in economics at the best university in the country.
With a fixed mindset, it is necessary to attain perfection immediately. A single test or evaluation has the potential to shape your identity indefinitely.
At age five, Lily and her family entered the United States. Shortly after, her mother accompanied her to her new school, where she underwent an assessment. Before she knew it, she enrolled in kindergarten, albeit not in the prestigious class.
The authority eventually moved Lily to the elite group, where she remained until she completed high school, accumulating numerous academic awards. Despite this, she always felt out of place.
The initial assessment categorized her as having a fixed capability, asserting she did not belong among the best and disregarding that she had recently turned five and relocated to a new country. There were no openings among the top performers, or perhaps the school thought a more relaxed environment would help her adjust. There are numerous ways to interpret the events. Unfortunately, she picked the incorrect one. There is no method to “turn into” a top performer. If she had been a top performer, she would have excelled in the assessment and recognized immediately.
Is Lily an outlier, or do we tend to overlook how prevalent this kind of thinking is?
Some professionals provided fifth-grade students with a sealed cardboard box, informing them that it held an assessment measuring a crucial school skill. They disclosed no further information. Afterward, they posed questions to the students. Initially, they confirmed the students’ understanding by inquiring, “To what extent do you believe this assessment evaluates an important school skill?” All of them unquestionably agreed.
Can you trust that this evaluation accurately assesses your intelligence? Do you think it can predict your future level of intelligence?
Students who embraced a growth mindset acknowledged that the test assessed a significant skill but did not consider it a determinant of their intelligence. They were utterly unconvinced that it could forecast their future intelligence. One of them boldly declared to the researchers, “Absolutely not! No test can do that.”
Students with a fixed mindset thought that the test didn’t just assess their ability but evaluated their future intelligence, which they believed would define them for the rest of their lives. This belief caused them to view every success as extremely important.
This mentality brings us back to “potential” and whether tests or professionals can assess our potential, abilities, and prospects. The fixed mindset affirms this. It believes that one can quantify fixed ability and predict the future. All you need to do is administer the test or consult an expert—no need for a crystal ball.
The idea of recognizing one’s potential is widespread, leading Joseph P. Kennedy to predict to Morton Downey Jr. that he would fail confidently. What had Downey, who later gained fame as a television personality and author, done? He had worn brown shoes and red socks to the Stork Club.
Kennedy informed Morton that he had never encountered someone who achieved success while wearing brown shoes and red socks. He advised Morton that while he stood out, it was not in a way that people would admire.
Many of the most accomplished people of our time—experts deemed to have no future. Jackson Pollock, Marcel Proust, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Lucille Ball, and Charles Darwin were all considered to have little potential in their chosen fields. And in some cases, they did not stand out early on.
But isn’t potential the capacity to develop skills with effort over time? And that is precisely the point. How can we know where effort and time will take someone? Who knows—perhaps the experts were right about Jackson, Marcel, Elvis, Ray, Lucille, and Charles—regarding their skills at the time. Maybe they were not yet the people they would become.
A group of experts once visited an exhibition in London that showcased early paintings by Paul Cézanne. On their way to the exhibit, they pondered about Cézanne’s identity before he emerged as the renowned artist we recognize today. Their interest heightened as Cézanne held a special place in their hearts as an artist who significantly influenced modern art. Upon exploring the exhibit, they came across several paintings of subpar quality. These paintings depicted overly dramatic scenes, some of which were violent, with figures that seemed to be amateurish painted. While some works hinted at Cézanne’s later style, many did not—this led them to question whether the early Cézanne lacked talent or if it simply took time for Cézanne to evolve into the artist he eventually became.
Certainly! Here’s the text you asked me to remember, reworded:
Individuals with a growth mindset comprehend that realizing one’s potential requires time to develop. In a particular research, professionals received an angry message from an educator who had participated in one of their questionnaires. The questionnaire illustrated a hypothetical student, Juliet, who scored 65 percent on a mathematics examination. It then inquired how teachers would react.
Teachers with a fixed mindset eagerly answered. They felt that Juliet’s score gave them a clear sense of who she was and what she was capable of. Their recommendations were plentiful. Mr. Richard, by contrast, was furious. Here is what he wrote:
To Whom It May Concern:
After participating in the educator’s section of your recent survey, I kindly ask you not to include my responses in the study. I believe it lacks scientific validity.
The survey is based on a flawed premise, requiring teachers to make assumptions about a student solely based on a numerical score. It is not possible to accurately assess performance based on a singular evaluation. It is impossible to determine the slope of a line from a single point as there is no line to reference. A single point in time provides no insight into trends, progress, diligence, or mathematical proficiency.
Sincerely,
Richard
The surveyors were delighted with Mr. Richard’s critique and agreed wholeheartedly. One assessment holds little value for understanding someone’s ability, let alone their potential for success.
It was troubling how many teachers thought otherwise, which was precisely the point of the surveyors’ study.
The idea that one evaluation can define you forever creates a sense of urgency for those with a fixed mindset. That is why I feel the need to succeed perfectly and immediately. Who can afford the luxury of growth when everything is on the line right now?
Is there another way to judge potential? NASA thought so. When seeking astronauts, they rejected applicants with spotless success records. Instead, they selected those who had experienced significant failures and bounced back. Jack Welch, the celebrated CEO of General Electric, chose executives based on their “runway” and capacity for growth. And remember Marina Semyonova, the famed ballet teacher who selected students energized by criticism. They all rejected the idea of fixed ability and chose mindset instead.
More Inspirational Figures
Albert Einstein, the genius physicist whose name is now synonymous with intelligence, was once considered slow and unremarkable by his teachers. He didn’t speak until he was four and struggled with traditional schooling. His early teachers even labeled him “mentally slow” because he refused to conform to their rigid expectations. Yet, Einstein’s unconventional thinking led to groundbreaking discoveries in physics, fundamentally changing our understanding of the universe.
Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media moguls in the world, faced a childhood filled with hardship. She was born into poverty and suffered abuse, and people told her that she wouldn’t amount to much. Her early television career was fraught with setbacks, including being demoted from a news anchor position. However, Winfrey’s determination and belief in her potential led her to revolutionize the talk show format and become a powerful force in the entertainment industry.
Walt Disney, the creative mastermind behind one of the most successful entertainment empires, was fired from a newspaper job because his editor believed he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Undeterred, Disney continued pursuing his passion for animation despite facing numerous financial and business failures. Today, his name is synonymous with creativity and innovation.
J.K. Rowling, the beloved author of the Harry Potter series, was a struggling single mother living on welfare when she began writing her books. Her manuscript was rejected by 12 publishers before finally being accepted. Despite these initial setbacks, Rowling’s story of resilience and imagination captured the hearts of millions, turning her into one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players in history, was cut from his high school varsity team because the coach believed he wasn’t good enough. Jordan used this rejection as motivation, dedicating himself to improving his skills. His relentless work ethic and growth mindset led him to six NBA championships and an enduring legacy in the sport.
Vincent van Gogh, whose paintings sell for millions, was not appreciated during his lifetime. He sold only one painting alive, and people often dismissed him as a madman. Yet, van Gogh’s dedication to his craft, despite being unrecognized and misunderstood, eventually positioned him as one of history’s most influential artists.
These examples illustrate that a single test or evaluation cannot determine a person’s future. Reaching one’s true potential takes time, effort, and perseverance. Many of the world’s most successful individuals—people of their time initially underestimated—but their growth mindset and resilience enabled them to defy expectations and achieve greatness.
Bringing in Philosophy or Literature
Throughout history, philosophers and literary figures have pondered the nature of human potential and growth. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously stated, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and he’s not the same man.” This quote encapsulates the essence of growth—that we are constantly changing, learning, and evolving with each experience. Similarly, Ralph Waldo Emerson, the transcendentalist thinker, emphasized the importance of self-reliance and individual growth. In his essay “Self-Reliance,” Emerson wrote, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” These quotes reflect—that our choices, efforts, and determination shape our potential.
Literature also offers profound insights into the journey of growth. In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, the character of Alyosha represents the potential for transformation through love, faith, and perseverance. His journey illustrates that nature doesn’t predetermine human potential by circumstances—but we cultivate it through inner strength and moral conviction. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s works, we often see characters grappling with their destinies, learning that their futures are shaped not by fate alone but by their actions and decisions.
These philosophical and literary perspectives remind us that the human journey is continual growth. We cannot define someone by a single moment or evaluation but by our ability to learn, adapt, and transcend our limitations. Just as the river flows and changes, so too do we—becoming more than what we were and always with the potential to become something more significant.
Global Perspectives: Valuing Effort Over Innate Ability
Across the world, cultures vary in how they perceive and value effort versus innate ability, with significant implications for societal growth. In many East Asian cultures, particularly in countries like Japan, China, and South Korea, there is a strong cultural emphasis on effort, perseverance, and continuous self-improvement—this is deeply rooted in the Confucian philosophy that underpins much of these societies’ social and educational fabric. Confucian teachings advocate that success results from hard work and moral virtue rather than innate talent. This belief fosters a growth mindset within these cultures, encouraging individuals to persist through challenges, believing they can develop their abilities through dedication and effort.
In contrast, Western cultures, especially in the United States, have historically emphasized individual talent and innate ability. The idea of the “gifted” child or the “natural” athlete is prevalent, often leading to a fixed mindset where people may feel that their inherent abilities predetermine their success. However, even within Western societies, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of effort and perseverance. The increasing popularity of the growth mindset philosophy in educational systems reflects shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset, which teaches students that they can develop abilities through hard work and persistence.
The difference in cultural attitudes toward effort and ability significantly shapes societal growth. In societies that value effort, there is often a greater emphasis on collective progress, resilience, and lifelong learning. These cultures prioritize education and skill development, leading to high academic and professional achievement levels. In contrast, cultures that place a higher value on innate ability may experience a greater focus on individual achievement and competition, which can foster innovation but may also lead to more significant disparities in opportunity and success.
By recognizing and integrating the strengths of both perspectives—valuing effort while also acknowledging individual talents—societies can foster environments where all individuals have the opportunity to grow, contribute, and succeed.
The Future of Education
If educational systems worldwide fully embraced growth mindset principles, we could see a transformative shift in how students are taught and evaluated. Traditional grading systems, which often emphasize performance on standardized tests, might be replaced or supplemented with more holistic approaches that focus on individual progress and effort over time. Schools could adopt personalized learning plans, where students set goals based on their interests and are assessed on their improvement rather than their ability to meet a fixed standard—this could foster an environment where students are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Teachers would play a crucial role as facilitators of learning rather than mere transmitters of knowledge. Professional development for educators would focus on training them to recognize and nurture each student’s potential, emphasizing the importance of resilience, curiosity, and a love for learning. Classrooms might become more collaborative, with students working together on projects requiring creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—skills essential for success in the real world.
As a result, the future of education could produce more knowledgeable students and more adaptable, innovative, and self-motivated individuals. These students would be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world, where the ability to learn and grow is often more valuable than what one already knows.
Impact of AI and Technology
A growth mindset will be crucial for individuals and societies to thrive in the rapidly changing technological landscape. Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities while rendering some skills obsolete. Individuals must embrace continuous learning and be willing to develop new skills throughout their careers.
A growth mindset encourages this adaptability, enabling people to view technological disruptions not as threats but as chances to evolve and expand their capabilities. For instance, as AI takes over routine tasks, workers with a growth mindset will focus on acquiring skills where human ingenuity and creativity are still paramount, such as leadership, complex problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
Moreover, integrating AI into education could further support the growth mindset by providing personalized learning experiences that adapt to each student’s progress. AI-driven platforms could offer real-time feedback, helping students identify areas for improvement and guiding them through challenges—this would reinforce the idea that learning is an ongoing process and that setbacks are not failures but essential steps on the path to mastery.
A growth mindset will be essential in shaping policies and practices that encourage innovation and inclusivity in the broader societal context. As technology evolves, those who embrace a growth mindset will create solutions that benefit everyone, ensuring that the future is one of shared progress and opportunity.
A Call to Action: Embrace Growth, Defy Limits
As you reflect on the stories shared here, consider the power of a single test or evaluation. It can only label, limit, and confine if we allow it. But the truth is, your potential is boundless, shaped by your effort, resilience, and the belief that you can grow.
Do not let a single moment define your journey. Challenge the mindset that insists on perfection now and embrace the idea that every step, every stumble, is a part of your growth. Whether you are a student, a parent, an educator, or simply someone navigating life’s twists and turns, remember that your future is unfixed. It is a canvas waiting for you to paint, one brushstroke at a time.
So, take a step forward with confidence. Seek challenges that push you, surround yourself with those who inspire you, and above all, keep learning. Let your life be a testament to the power of growth—where every experience, no matter how small, contributes to the masterpiece you are creating.
Together, let us break free from the confines of fixed mindsets and build a future where the potential is limitless, defined not by tests or evaluations but by the courage to grow, evolve, and become our most authentic selves.
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