Do you have a mindset that fosters happiness and success? If not, how do you cultivate that mindset? Sometimes a shift in thinking is all it takes to change the trajectory of your life or business.
There’s so much talk about mindset these days. Why? Because it matters. It determines how we see ourselves and the world. It also affects how we see ourselves in the world. Mindset also determines how we respond to life situations and challenges. How you see things and respond is determined by a number of factors: childhood messages, current circumstances and, some would say, our personalities. But the truth is, we have control over our thoughts and actions… and our past only dictates our present if we let it.
We have the power to choose. We can choose who we are, how we see things and how we respond in any given situation. We’re really only limited by lack of awareness regarding mindset and limitations we place on ourselves. The ability to purposefully, consciously change our thinking and open ourselves up to doing things differently when what we’re doing isn’t working for us is an empowering concept!
Our minds are powerful things. We can use that power to shape our lives for the better. So, let’s look specifically at fixed vs. growth mindset and the role it plays in how our lives play out.
Fixed vs. Growth
Carol Dweck was a Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, as well as one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. She focused decades of time and energy on her work in motivation and fixed-vs-growth mindset. Dweck believed a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in business, education, sports, and also relationships, whereas a fixed mindset could hold people back from being their best.
That’s interesting, right? But what is the difference between fixed and growth? Dweck describes it this way, “In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success – without effort.” In other words, they hold limiting beliefs about themselves. It’s kind of an “it is what it is” mentality.
With respect to growth mindset, Dweck asserts, “people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.” In other words, successful people believe they can build on what they already possess. They are open to possibilities and willing to put forth the effort to learn, grow, and be better. This allows for opportunities that don’t exist when someone believes it just “is what it is.”
So, what does this mean in terms of business? Cultivating a growth mindset for business involves assessing and evaluating what your skills and strengths are, then determining what you need to do to learn what you don’t know and fill in the gaps. If you are constantly thinking things like, “I can’t because…,” you’re limiting what you can accomplish. If you shift that line of thinking to a more solution-oriented, positive thought process, you open up possibilities for real changes that make a difference. Throw in the willingness to put in the time and energy rather than expecting that it should “just happen” based on your fixed talent, intelligence and skillsets, and the growth mindset could truly change the trajectory of your business.
I’m a strong believer in the importance of having a growth mindset both personally and professionally. And I’ve seen the benefits of cultivating a growth mindset in my life as well as the lives of my clients. So, don’t limit yourself and your potential with a fixed mindset. Fuel your success – whatever you define success to be – by developing a growth mindset.
Want to discover your starting point and cultivate that growth mindset? Contact me! I can help you uncover your strengths and lay out a plan for growth.
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