Hello there and welcome to my 80 th blog.
The start of my octogenarian blogs.
I have just completed a course on the Science of Happiness, and it has been absolutely brilliant and a fabulous fontanelle of learning! One of the lectures included some interesting information on the concept of mindsets. I have always had a vague idea about what mindset means, but now in hindsight I actually knew very little about this rather broad topic. Hence my decision to dedicate this blog to this very interesting subject.
The Oxford English dictionary defines mindset as “the established set of attitudes held by someone.”
These attitudes or beliefs about our own abilities and potential help determine the actions we take, or do not take, in life. They shape how we make sense of the world and ourselves. Mindset influences how we think, feel, and behave in any given situation.
There are apparently eight mindsets, but today I will explore only two of them, the fixed mindset, and the growth mindset. So, without further ado, let us proceed.
Reading through a number of articles on these fascinating mindsets, I established the subtle differences between the two.
If you have a fixed mindset you:
- Avoid challenges.
- Give in when you come up against hardship.
- Believe that intelligence and skills are something that you are born with and cannot be changed or develop.
- Are threatened by the success of others, and compare yourself to others with frequency
- Think that you know everything already.
- Ignore or dismiss criticism.
If you have a growth mindset, you:
- Embrace challenges.
- Persevere in spite of failure.
- Believe that people can increase their intelligence or skills
- Are inspired and motivated by the success of others but do not compare yourself to them.
- Want to learn.
- Accept and embrace criticism.
How does your mindset develop?
A great number of studies and experiments have been done, particularly with children, in order to establish how a person’s mindset develops.
If children are praised for their talents and labelled smart, they tend to have a fixed mindset. This is called personal praise “You got an A for maths; you are so good at maths.”
This sends a message to the child that they either have the ability or they do not, and that there is nothing they can do to change it.
If children are praised for the effort, they have put into to accomplish a task, they will probably have a growth mindset. This is called process praise. “I am super impressed by how hard you studied and worked for your maths test. This huge effort resulted in your getting an A. Well done”
So, you see, we are not born with a mindset. It is not part of our genetics. We do not inherit it. Neither do our parents, or anyone else give us our mindset. We actually catch our mindset from the sum total of our lived experiences.
Based on the above information, in my humble opinion, a growth mindset would be the one that I would like to strive for.
As you grow into adulthood…
If you have grown up with a growth mindset, you tend to want to learn and work hard and discover new things. This often translates into academic achievement. As an adult you will persevere in the face of challenges and will see these are an opportunity to learn and grow. You believe that success comes from constant personal development.
If you have developed a fixed mindset, you may not want to consistently learn, work diligently or study new things. Your academic achievement may fluctuate. As an adult you may give up when the going gets rough. You may constantly seek validation to prove your worth to yourselves and others.
However, there is another amazing side to all this. This is neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity and your mindset.
Did you know that our brain is actually plastic? How flipping amazing is this!!!
So, with proper focus and loads of practice, our brain can change through our lives. It can grow new cells, change, reorganize and restructure itself and through this we can strengthen our neurologic pathways. This is called neuroplasticity. Like a physical muscle, the brain gets stronger the more you use it.
Therefore, by trying, practising, and persevering we can change our mindset from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
Oh, my Giddy Aunt… perhaps I may, after all these years, be able to learn how to Dance!!!!!
Woo! Hoo!
Quickly tell me, how can I do this?
Ways to change your mindset from a fixed to a growth one.
- Focus on the journey.
See the value in the road on which you are travelling. Relish the achievements, obstacles, and fun times on the way. It is so not just about the destination. I can do this. Also praise yourself as you overcome the difficulties that will be quite frequent on the journey.
- Include the word “yet”
If you are struggling with a task, remind yourself that you have not mastered it yet. This will hopefully signal to your brain that despite obstacles, you can overcome so much. This has proved hugely beneficial for me. I want things done and dusted yesterday. Including this “yet” just helps me to pause and breathe (my word of the year is proving to be superb!)
- Pay attention to your words and actions.
How often does this come up in my blogs? Replace negative words and thoughts with positive ones. How often do I still manage to fail rather miserably, but its okay, it will all happen, and I will get there as and when I am meant to.
- Remind yourself that your brain can change.
Remember the neuroplasticity described above. I am beyond excited about this aspect of helping to change my fixed mindset.
5. Stop seeking others approval.
We do not need validation from others. Silence that inner demon and do whatever you are doing just for you. A travail in progress.
- Celebrate the success of others.
Congratulate others and get curious about what made them successful. Do not envy them. I am trying and am pleased with my progress.
- Take on challenges
Embrace those challenges and take them on. They will make you stronger. I am definitely doing this.
- Surround yourself with like-minded people
A repetitive theme in my blogs, and one that is proving itself to be more and more important.
- Remember your goals
This will help when there are obstacles in the way. Write them down, keep looking at them and tweak them if necessary. This I do.
- Let go
Rid yourself of the negativity and press on. Silence your inner critic. Easier said than done.
- Avoid labels.
Do not tag yourself as clever, slow, quick, bright, silly. Labelling will not serve you. Guilty as charged.
- Learn
Find books on growth mindset and find someone who has also been developing this to enable you to understand it even more. I am doing this.
- Stop seeking approval from others.
Replace that mean voice in your head with the kind one. Surround yourself with positive people. Trust your own instinct, not that of others and be mindful with social media. I can work on this.
14. Realize that you need to commit
A growth mindset needs to be coupled with a commitment to personal growth in order for it to succeed. I feel that i am quite consistent in this area.
- Limitations do exist.
We cannot all do absolutely everything. However, we are able to achieve, in spite of, and not because of, our genetic make-up. Aim as high as you can, and just go for it. I can do this.
- Know your why.
Why do you want to develop a growth mindset? Ensure you are doing this for you.
- Change your thoughts on failure.
It’s part of the learning process. Mistakes hugely enhances the learning process… and mistakes I’ve made a few, but then again too few to mention…oops deviating just a little.
18. Be kind to you and to others
My ongoing mission, and kindness really, really does matter.
My experience
Having researched and read, I have decided that I have both a growth and a fixed mindset. My growth mindset is activated when I am learning new things relating to physio, wellness, health, and nutrition, which is really cool. However, my fixed mindset is quickly activated if someone is trying to teach me dance steps or if I try to follow a new exercise programme. However, as I said above, I may be changing this, and I may be the very Dancing Queen you would love to have at your next Abbalicious Party!!!
Researching a little more, recently a combination of both mindsets co-existing has been recognised. What a relief! There are times that we do indeed believe we can conquer the world and we see failure as a necessary part of getting better. However, at other times, we feel that we are deficient, and we do not have enough to realize our ultimate potential.
Ultimately, we will never be 100% growth. Instead, it’s a continuum and our goal should be to develop a more persistent growth mindset.
Please just always remember that I am just a girl trying to make sense of life and trying to make the most of it, with a little learning and quite a lot of my own thoughts.
With thanks to so many… the Growth Mindset Institute, Raven Ishak, Carolyn Steber, James Anderson, Maggie Wooll, Ashley Cullins, Kendra Cherry and the indomitable Dr Laurie Santos.