Do you think that you can improve through hard work and dedication? Do you believe that you can get better at something with practice?  

Then you have a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that skills and knowledge can be developed and improved through learning, feedback, and persistence (in personal, academic, and professional contexts). Those with a growth mindset are self-aware; they understand their abilities and believe these skills can be enhanced. They are curious and eager to understand challenges; they adapt their behavior in response and drive forward.

With a fixed mindset, one believes that talents and abilities are set or inherited from birth, and incapable of being nurtured and developed (“You have it or you don’t”). This fixed mindset understandably leads to difficulties processing setbacks in academic or professional settings, and an unwillingness to approach any challenges one perceives as “out of their comfort zone.”

It’s important to note that “achieving” a growth mindset is not a single action or experience; the advancement towards a growth mindset is a life-long pursuit, as everyone possesses a mixture of a growth and fixed mindset. We must also note that a growth mindset is not just optimism or flexibility, but an earnest pursuit of self-awareness, openness towards feedback, and a willingness to adapt and adjust behavior. A growth mindset is also not a guarantee of success; in fact, as a perspective, it serves to support professionals as they navigate setbacks, helping them to maintain focus on skill refinement as they navigate challenges. 

This module will provide you with the tools to begin identifying your strengths and opportunities for growth.