What’s Your Mindset?

So, what is a mindset? Your mindset influences how you think, feel, and interact with the world around you. Essentially, your mindset determines whether or not you believe in yourself. In the early 1970s, American psychologist Carol Dweck started researching a theory on motivational tendencies. Her research suggests that 2 implicit theories of interest motivate an individual: fixed theory and growth theory. These theories or mindsets are what drive people toward or away from passions.

Those with a fixed mindset believe that talent and intelligence are something people are born with, not something that can be taught. To them, effort isn’t required to succeed and failure is inevitable. People either already have the ability to chase their dreams, or they don’t. Passions and interests are “fixed,” and you can’t change what you’re good and not good at.

On the other hand, those with a growth mindset believe that anything is possible with the right work ethic. Anyone can learn and succeed at anything, as long as they’re persistent and hard-working. People are constantly evolving and changing, and every success and failure is an opportunity to “grow.”

Dweck encourages people to work toward a growth mindset because everyone has the power to improve. Focus on the “yet” rather than the “now.” Failure is unavoidable, but if you view it as “I have not succeeded yet” instead of “I’m a failure,” you’ll have a more positive and enriching outlook on life.