A growth mindset means that you don't give up when facing a difficult challenge. It means that you won't accept failure as the end of a problem, but rather as having learned another way that doesn't work. It means you can keep getting better at things and that your skills and abilities, and your intelligence and talents are not set, but they have the ability to grow. Dr. Carol Dweck of Stanford University discussed the power of mindset nearly three decades ago! Her team of researchers studied how students felt when they experienced failures. After analyzing their results, they came up with the phrase growth mindset!
In short, having a growth mindset enables a learner to believe that their skills and abilities can improve through self-determination, persistence in finding solutions, and working and learning with others.
Mr. Edison didn't work alone. He assembled teams of thinkers to work collaboratively! Sooo... if Mr. Edison and his team of innovators gave up after the light bulb didn't work after so many tries, we might still be in the dark!
Encourages Learning!
You become more open to attempt to understand new information.
Embraces imperfections!
You attempt to overcome weaknesses instead of accepting them.
Challenges become opportunities!
You seek a wide-range of strategies to improve and problem-solve on how to succeed.
Critiques various perspectives!
You listen to others' thoughts and ideas.
Gains intrinsic motivation!
You don't feel the need to seek approval for learning.
You recognize and appreciate your progress.
Values the learning process!
You enjoy learning and appreciate your time invested in thinking.
Embraces constructive criticism!
When you are looking at things positively, suggestions based on improvement are taken as motivation for revision, rather than negativity.
Growth mindset, as stated above, is the belief that even though certain people may seemingly have a natural ability to know or do something, anyone can learn and experience success if they believe they could do it - and actually try!
Conversely, a fixed mindset is the belief that you are born with your abilities and your aptitude for your intellect is set. In a fixed mindset, you'll hear things like, “You’re so talented!”, “You gifted!", "You a natural!”, or “You’re doing so well in school, you must be really smart!” When a learner hears these messages, why would they learn to persevere or pursue excellence if it's just a talent they were born with?
See what you can differentiate between the two and formulate an assumption of what type of mindset you have!
There are many mistaken beliefs about growth mindset. Here's a few to look at.
Now... consider this: Margaret Thatcher once said, “You may have to fight a battle more than once in order to win it.” 🤔
Lastly, discuss with others about how her quote is applicable with the misconceptions you read.
Here is Carol Dweck’s TED Talk video about having the power to believe that you can, in fact, improve your own thinking. It is powerful!