The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, psychologist Carol S. Dweck explores how the way we think about our abilities and intelligence shapes our lives. She introduces two primary mindsets: the “fixed mindset” and the “growth mindset.”
Fixed Mindset
People with a fixed mindset believe that their intelligence, talents, and abilities are static traits that cannot be changed. They tend to avoid challenges, give up easily when faced with obstacles, and see effort as a sign of inadequacy. This mindset leads to a desire to look smart rather than to learn, and it often results in a fear of failure, as failing is seen as a reflection of inherent limitations.
Growth Mindset
In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning. They embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and see effort as a path to mastery. This mindset fosters a love for learning and a resilience that is essential for achieving success.
Applications of Mindset
Dweck explains that mindsets profoundly affect all aspects of life, including education, business, sports, and personal relationships. In education, students with a growth mindset are more likely to take on difficult tasks and improve over time, whereas those with a fixed mindset might plateau and underachieve. In business, leaders with a growth mindset create cultures that encourage innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
Changing Your Mindset
One of the key messages of the book is that mindsets are not fixed. People can change their mindset from fixed to growth by becoming aware of their thoughts, challenging limiting beliefs, and adopting new, growth-oriented perspectives. Dweck offers practical advice on how to develop a growth mindset in oneself and others, such as praising effort rather than innate ability, viewing challenges as opportunities, and learning from criticism.
Impact of Mindset on Relationships
The book also delves into how mindsets influence relationships. In fixed mindset relationships, people may see problems as unchangeable and may give up on relationships when difficulties arise. In growth mindset relationships, partners work together to overcome challenges, believing that their relationship can grow stronger through effort and communication.
Conclusion
Mindset emphasizes that adopting a growth mindset can lead to greater achievement, creativity, and resilience. By shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, individuals can unlock their full potential and lead more fulfilling lives. The book encourages readers to continually embrace learning and to view failures as valuable experiences that contribute to personal growth.
Here are 10 examples that illustrate the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset:
1. Approach to Challenges
- Fixed Mindset: Avoids challenges, fearing failure or looking incompetent.
- Growth Mindset: Embraces challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
2. Reaction to Failure
- Fixed Mindset: Sees failure as a reflection of their abilities and gives up easily.
- Growth Mindset: Views failure as a learning experience and a stepping stone to improvement.
3. Response to Feedback
- Fixed Mindset: Ignores or resents feedback, seeing it as criticism of their inherent abilities.
- Growth Mindset: Welcomes feedback as a valuable tool for learning and self-improvement.
4. View on Effort
- Fixed Mindset: Believes effort is pointless if you’re already talented, or it indicates a lack of ability.
- Growth Mindset: Understands that effort is crucial for mastery and sees it as a path to growth.
5. Attitude Towards Others’ Success
- Fixed Mindset: Feels threatened or envious of others’ success, believing it diminishes their own worth.
- Growth Mindset: Finds inspiration in others’ success and uses it as motivation to improve.
6. Belief About Intelligence and Talent
- Fixed Mindset: Believes intelligence and talent are static and unchangeable traits.
- Growth Mindset: Believes intelligence and talent can be developed through dedication and hard work.
7. Learning New Skills
- Fixed Mindset: Hesitates to try new things, fearing they’ll fail and look bad.
- Growth Mindset: Eager to learn new skills, seeing it as an opportunity to expand their abilities.
8. Dealing with Obstacles
- Fixed Mindset: Gives up easily when faced with obstacles, seeing them as confirmation of their limitations.
- Growth Mindset: Persists in the face of obstacles, believing that overcoming them will make them stronger.
9. Perception of Setbacks
- Fixed Mindset: Views setbacks as a sign that they should stop trying or that they’re not capable.
- Growth Mindset: Sees setbacks as temporary and an inevitable part of the learning process.
10. Self-Image
- Fixed Mindset: Defines self-worth based on success or failure, feeling good only when they succeed.
- Growth Mindset: Maintains a positive self-image by focusing on learning and growth, regardless of outcomes.
Raising Kids with a Growth Mindset
Raising a child with a growth mindset can set them up for success and resilience in life. Here are some tips to help foster a growth mindset in your child:
1. Praise Effort, Not Talent
- Tip: Focus on praising the effort your child puts into tasks, rather than labeling them as “smart” or “talented.” For example, say, “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that project,” rather than, “You’re so smart.”
2. Encourage a Love for Learning
- Tip: Cultivate curiosity by encouraging your child to explore new topics, ask questions, and pursue their interests, even if they’re challenging.
3. Teach the Value of Mistakes
- Tip: Normalize making mistakes as part of the learning process. Discuss what can be learned from mistakes, and avoid punishment or harsh criticism when they occur.
4. Model a Growth Mindset
- Tip: Demonstrate your own growth mindset by openly discussing challenges you face and how you’re working to overcome them. Let your child see you learning new things and embracing effort.
5. Use Growth-Oriented Language
- Tip: Use language that promotes growth, such as “You can’t do it yet” instead of “You can’t do it,” or “What can we try next?” instead of “That didn’t work.”
6. Set Learning Goals, Not Just Performance Goals
- Tip: Help your child set goals focused on the process of learning, rather than just the outcome. For example, instead of aiming for an “A” in math, set a goal to master a specific skill or concept.
7. Encourage Problem-Solving
- Tip: When your child faces a problem, resist the urge to solve it for them. Instead, ask guiding questions that help them think through possible solutions on their own.
8. Celebrate Perseverance
- Tip: Recognize and celebrate your child’s persistence in working through difficult tasks, even if the result isn’t perfect. This reinforces the value of hard work and determination.
9. Introduce Them to Growth-Minded Role Models
- Tip: Share stories of people who have overcome challenges through effort and perseverance. This could include historical figures, family members, or even characters from books or movies.
10. Encourage Positive Self-Talk
- Tip: Teach your child to replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. For example, instead of saying, “I’m bad at this,” encourage them to say, “I’m still learning how to do this.”
11. Provide Constructive Feedback
- Tip: Give feedback that focuses on specific aspects of their effort and strategies, rather than on their innate ability. For example, “I noticed you tried a different approach this time. How did that work for you?”
12. Create a Safe Space for Risk-Taking
- Tip: Encourage your child to take on challenges and try new things, even if they might fail. Create an environment where they feel safe to take risks without fear of harsh judgment.
13. Avoid Comparisons
- Tip: Refrain from comparing your child to others. Instead, focus on their individual progress and how they are improving over time.
14. Help Them Reflect on Their Learning
- Tip: Regularly ask your child to reflect on what they’ve learned from their experiences, both successes and failures. This helps reinforce the idea that learning is an ongoing process.
15. Foster a Growth-Oriented Environment
- Tip: Surround your child with activities, books, and conversations that emphasize learning, creativity, and resilience. Encourage them to explore diverse interests and hobbies.
By consistently applying these strategies, you can help your child develop a growth mindset that will serve them well throughout their life.
