Mindset: Fixed or Growth?

Carol Dweck is the expert on mindset and how it effects our success in life. Her theory of the two mindsets and the difference they make in outcomes is incredibly powerful. I highly recommend her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success


There are two main mindsets we can navigate life with: growth and fixed. Having a growth mindset is essential for success.


In her book, Dweck asks the question: What are the consequences of thinking that your intelligence or personality is something you can develop, as opposed to something that is a fixed, deep-seated trait?


Your view of yourself can determine everything. If you believe that your qualities are unchangeable — the fixed mindset — you will want to prove yourself correct over and over rather than learning from your mistakes.


The Power of … Yet In her TedTalk – The power of believing you can improve, Dweck describes two ways ot think about a problem that’s slightly too hard for you to solve. People approach these problems with the two mindsets… “Are you not smart enough to solve it …. or have you just not solved it yet.”
She gives the example of students that when they didn’t pass a class -they received a grade of Not Yet. I loved this example, if you get a failing grade, you think, I’m nothing, I’m nowhere. But if you get the grade “Not Yet” you understand that you’re on a learning curve. It gives you a path into the future.


As entrepreneurs, we are constantly solving problems and dealing with setbacks. If you have a growth mindset, you will look at those with the focus on what can you learn from each setback and how you can use that knowledge to move forward.

TAKE ACTION: Go watch the Ted Talk and then start reframing your challenges and set backs as a learning opportunities. You just haven’t solved them YET!


Need someone to help you figure out how this all relates to your business? Schedule a call with me today.