Imagine a student who feels like a failure after receiving a bad grade on a challenging math test. They might believe they are not good at math and give up trying to improve—this is a classic example of a fixed mindset. In contrast, a student with a growth mindset sees this setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. They focus on developing their math skills and persisting through challenges.
Have you ever wondered why some people thrive on challenges while others shy away? This difference often stems from their underlying mindset. The plot revolves around the idea that success or appearing intelligent and talented is insufficient in a fixed mindset. You are expected to be nearly flawless and must achieve flawlessness immediately.
The Fixed Mindset Perspective
Experts asked people ranging from grade schoolers to young adults, “When do you feel smart?” The differences were striking. People with a fixed mindset said:
- “It’s when I don’t make any mistakes.”
- “When I finish something fast, it’s perfect.”
- “When something is easy for me, but others can’t do it.”
For them, it’s about being perfect right now. But people with a growth mindset said:
- “When it’s tough, I try hard and can do something I couldn’t do before.”
- “When I work on something for a long time, I start to figure it out.”
For them, it’s not about immediate perfection. It’s about learning something over time: confronting a challenge and progressing.
The Growth Mindset Approach
Individuals with a growth mindset perceive intelligence and abilities as qualities that can develop through dedication and hard work. For them, learning is a journey, not a destination. They thrive on challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for improvement. They understand that effort and persistence are vital to mastering new skills and knowledge.
The Power of “Yet”
A growth mindset embodies the power of “yet.” It’s about understanding that we can develop abilities and intelligence over time. This mindset fosters resilience and a love for learning, encouraging individuals to embrace challenges and persist in facing setbacks. Instead of feeling defeated by failure, they see it as a stepping stone to growth.
Consider the example of Columbia University’s elite graduate students. While some felt like impostors when faced with the accomplishments of their professors and peers, those with a growth mindset viewed these challenges differently. They recognized they were there to learn, not to prove they were already experts. They understood that hard work and perseverance could fill the gap between their abilities and future potential.
Real-Life Success Stories
Look at Janet Cooke’s and Stephen Glass’s stories. These are stories of young reporters who fell from grace due to fabrications. While their actions were undoubtedly wrong, a deeper issue lies in the fixed mindset that drove them to such extremes. They felt an overwhelming need to appear perfect and successful immediately rather than embrace the learning process.
In contrast, individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to take risks, embrace challenges, and persist despite difficulties. They understand that success is not about being flawless initially but continuously improving and learning from experiences.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
It is essential to shift focus from proving intelligence to developing it—this involves embracing challenges, persisting in the face of setbacks, and seeing effort as the path to mastery. It also means learning from criticism and finding lessons and inspiration in the success of others.
Real-World Consequences
People with a fixed mindset expect their abilities to manifest before learning occurs. After all, if you have the ability, you have it; if you don’t, you don’t. This mindset often leads to feelings of inadequacy when faced with new challenges. Columbia University admits only six new graduate students per year out of all the applicants worldwide. The admitted students have exceptional test scores, nearly perfect grades, and outstanding recommendations from prominent scholars. Additionally, they have received offers from the top graduate schools.
Yet, some didn’t take long to feel like complete impostors. Yesterday, they were hotshots; today, they feel like failures. They look at the faculty with their long list of publications and think, “Oh my God, I can’t do that.” They look at the advanced students submitting articles for publication and writing grant proposals and think, “Oh my God, I can’t do that.” They know how to take tests and get As, but they don’t know how to do this yet. They forget the “yet.”
The Path to Becoming
Isn’t that what school is for? They’re there to learn, not because they already know everything. Stories of Janet Cooke and Stephen Glass, two young reporters who rose to prominence based on fabricated articles, starkly illustrated this mindset. Janet Cooke won a Pulitzer Prize for her Washington Post articles about an eight-year-old drug addict. However, the boy did not exist, and later, Pulitzer stripped her prize. Similarly, The New Republic celebrated Stephen Glass as a talented writer. Still, later, the authorities found that Stephen Glass fabricated his stories and sources.
Did Janet Cooke and Stephen Glass feel they needed to be perfect immediately? Did they worry that admitting ignorance would make them seem less credible to their colleagues? Did they believe they should already be like the big-time reporters before working hard to learn how? Stephen Glass wrote, “Experts were precocious stars, and that was what mattered.” The public sees them as cheats, and indeed they were. However, experts see them as talented, desperate young people who succumbed to the pressures of the fixed mindset.
A saying from the 1960s was: “Becoming is better than being.” The fixed mindset does not allow people the luxury of becoming. They must already be.
The Fluidity of Mindsets
While it’s helpful to categorize people as having predominantly fixed or growth mindsets, it’s essential to recognize that these mindsets can fluctuate depending on the situation. For example, someone might exhibit a growth mindset when facing a challenging task but revert to a fixed mindset when dealing with criticism.
A fixed mindset in the workplace might lead to fear of failure and avoidance of challenges—while a growth mindset would encourage employees to seek new opportunities and learn from mistakes. A fixed mindset might lead to competitiveness and jealousy, while a growth mindset can foster collaboration and empathy. A person with a growth mindset adopts increased resilience, optimism, and motivation.
Practical Advice
- Assess your mindsets in different areas of life.
- View challenges as opportunities for growth.
- Set specific, achievable goals to foster a sense of progress.
- Develop strategies for overcoming setbacks and cultivating a “never give up” attitude.
Conclusion
The contrast between a fixed and growth mindset reveals much about our approach to challenges, learning, and personal development. While the fixed mindset traps individuals in a cycle of proving their worth, the growth mindset frees them to embrace the journey of becoming. Those with a growth mindset understand that intelligence and abilities are not static traits but evolving qualities that flourish through effort, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Adopting a growth mindset can transform setbacks into stepping stones and unlock our potential.
Call to Action
Let us embrace the power of “yet” and commit to cultivating a growth mindset in every aspect of our lives. Challenge yourself to see obstacles as opportunities, persist in the face of difficulties, and value the process of learning over the need for immediate perfection. Share your growth mindset journey with others and encourage them to join you in this transformative pursuit. Together, we can create a culture where we can celebrate continuous learning and development and where everyone has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
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