Carol Dweck, American psychologist and professor, coined the term growth mindset to describe
the belief that intelligence and talents are not fixed but they can be improved over time. On the
other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence and talents are inherent, natural, and can
never evolve. Having a growth mindset is important for success, because it’s marked by an
ability to accept criticism, failure, and challenges. Fixed mindsets breeds passivity because an
individual with a fixed mindset doesn’t believe that his/her effort can help them achieve their
goals.

Four Benefits of a Growth Mindset

1- You believe in yourself

People with a growth mindset assess their strengths and weaknesses, and they make it a
statement to strengthen their weak spots. They have a realistic view on their capabilities and they
make an effort to work on the things that need improvement. Putting in effort to enhance their
skills builds their self-confidence and self-image once they achieve their goals or grow.

2- You become more valuable in the workplace

The desire to learn new things leads to the development of new skills and talents. This can be a
great asset to employers, because every employer wants an employee that can work on
themselves and pick up on new skills they don’t necessarily have yet.

3- You become more focused on yourself

People with a growth mindset are engulfed and consumed by a drive to be better. On the other
hand, people with a fixed mindset tend to live in comparison and hopelessness. They want what
others have and they don’t believe that they can achieve goals themselves. With a growth
mindset, you will be focused on ways you can be a better version of yourself because you believe
that it’s possible and attainable.

4- You become more fulfilled

Having a growth mindset will lead to the development of hobbies. These hobbies can be a source
of fulfillment and can give a sense of purpose to those who engage in it.

Four Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset

1- Be open to criticism

Constructive feedback exists to help us become better versions of ourselves. When we view
criticism as a direct attack on our identity, it makes it harder for us to change for the better. When
we learn that the point of constructive criticism is to build us and not harm us, we become more
open to it.

2- Learn to accept failure

Most people don’t believe that they “make” mistakes, they think that they “are” mistakes. The
people with this mindset believe that failure defines who they are, so they would rather not try at
all. Viewing failure as an opportunity to learn is what leads to growth. Remember that failure is
not personal, and that it’s a stepping stone in your journey.

3- Change the trajectory of your words

Do you constantly say that you can’t do things without even trying? Using the word “yet” can
shift your attitude. Saying “I can’t do this yet” rather than “I can’t do this” is part of moving
from a fixed mindset to a growth one. Rather than saying that you’re not good at something, you
need to remind yourself that you’re still trying and learning.

4- Embrace opportunities and ditch passivity

Do you find yourself telling others that you won’t take part in something because you’re not
“good” at it? So often we miss out on opportunities because we label ourselves as “not good
enough” and our fixed mindset tells us that we don’t have any ability to grow and improve. As a
result of self doubt, not training ourselves to take on new challenges leads to stagnancy and
passivity.

Reflection Questions:

● Do you find it easy to accept criticism?
● How do you feel about failure? Does a fear of failure stop you from going after things
you want?
● How often do you try new things?