MYTHOLOGY Vs GROWTH MINDSET

you may have heard of the “growth mindset”. It’s a concept that has become popular in education, sports, and business. Growth mindset concepts have been present in myths and stories across cultures for centuries.

The growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence are n0t fixed traits that we’re born with. Instead, we can grow and develop our skills through dedication and hard work. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve themselves.

Those who have a fixed mindset hold the belief that our talents are predetermined from birth. They avoid challenges because they don’t want to look incapable. They give up when things get difficult.

While the official term “growth mindset” is pretty new, the underlying philosophy has deep roots across many traditional mythologies and folk tales. Let’s explore some examples:

In ancient Greek myths, the mighty Hercules had to endure 12 hard labors as penance for his mistakes. But he persisted and grew stronger with each trial he overcame. This reflects a growth mindset of rising to tough challenges.

The Hindu epic Mahabharata tells of Arjuna, whose growth journey involved intense training and self-reflection under guiding his mentor, Krishna. Only through conscious effort did Arjuna develop his full skills and wisdom.

Heroes and trickster figures in Native American folklore transmit key life lessons through stories. Many tales focus on learning from nature and life experiences to become wiser and more capable. This aligns with a growth mindset of constant learning.

The famous Journey to the West from Chinese mythology recounts the arduous pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang and his disciples. Only through persistence and character development were they able to transcend each obstacle they faced.

An old Japanese folk tale called The Perseverance of the Monkey involves a monkey who tried (and failed) over 500 times to retrieve a sweet fruit from a well. But he kept trying until he finally succeeded, much like the growth mindset of not giving up.

You can think of countless other examples where mythological heroes, gods, spirits, and folk characters undergo transformative journeys of effort and growth to become the fullest versions of themselves.

So while “growth mindset” may seem like a modern buzzword, these ancient stories show it’s an idea as old as human civilization itself. Our ancestors recognized the value of self-improvement, lifelong learning, and perseverance through challenges.

Like mythic heroes, we face metaphorical labors and trials in our daily lives. Having a growth mindset means embracing those difficulties as opportunities to stretch ourselves. Each struggle can make us smarter, stronger, and more resilient.

No matter your age, background, or circumstances, you have the power to grow your skills and capabilities through diligent practice. All it takes is adopting the growth-oriented outlook exemplified by mythology’s most legendary characters. With commitment and consistency, you can write your own heroic story of personal growth and achievement.