There are two types of mind
set – growth and fixed. With any problem we can embrace it and take
the opportunity to learn from it or we can avoid it, often out of
fear of failure. Taking the path of avoidance could be described as a
fixed mindset while taking the first approach of viewing an obstacle
or problem a an interesting challenge and opportunity to learn could
be described be a growth mindset.
It is not uncommon for
people to have a mixture of both mindsets, switching between the two.
A person has a fixed mindset
because they believe that certain qualities such as talents, skills
and traits are fixed and that these qualities are responsible for
success. On the other hand people that possess a growth mindset
believe that new skills can be developed and achieved through
practice.
This ideas create a passion
for learning that is a typical trait exhibited by leaders, artists,
creators and successful people. With a growth mindset life becomes an
endless journey of new learning and achieving.
Developing a Growth
Mindset
Dr Carol Dwek of Stanford
University who created the term 'growth mindset' recommends that we
should all celebrate trying, for example parents and teachers should
applaud a child regardless of the grade for the effort that they
exert in studying for it.
Encouraging children to
learn any new skill that they are interested in is recommended in
order to encourage them to learn the skill of learning.
To observe the difference
between the two mindsets in everyday life lets imagine two people,
person A ans person B, one believes that you either have it or you
don't, the other believes that with enough desire it is possible to
learn anything. When it come to activity, person A uses
avoidance tactics, not wanting to fail or to look stupid trying.
Person B is not worried about failure enthusiastically embraces the
challenge viewing it as fun and exiting regardless of the outcome.
A key point to understand
here is that failing is a part of learning.
Are you the kind of person
that avoids feedback and often takes it personally? In order to
improve we must listen to constructive criticism and an important
point here is that it is to understand that it isn't you that is
being assessed but the results of your activity.
Do you always take the easy
road, or stop when things start to get difficult? To develop a
growth mindset it is essential to practice regularly whatever skill
it is that we want to develop knowing that effort is part of the journey
to a more fun life.
How do you feel about the
success of others? Do you encourage them to do even better, and does
it inspire you to work harder knowing that as they become more
successful, you are likely to grow as well? Or do you feel threatened
and feel pressured to achieve more results in your own life as a
results?
Developing a growth mindset
will enable you to move forward and solve problems as well as
approaching new task, challenges, problems, and obstacles with joy
and enthusiasm. This theory of a growth mindset is supported by
Neuro science. It has shown the the brain grows with activity just as
any other muscle in the body does.
So begin to develop a growth
mindset. A simple change in perspective on how a person view a
situation can make the world of difference to the outcome and to your
own achievements, possibility and development.
Author: Corey Butler
No comments:
Post a Comment