Too many people are unaware of how a fixed mindset keeps them gridlocked from making real progress. When we are gridlocked by a limiting belief, we just keep experiencing frustration or a fear of failure that prevents us from overcoming hurdles in life.
A single word can be the lever we pull to shift to change the mindset track: the pivotal word is “YET”.
“I am not good at math. Yet.” This single word creates an opening in a fixed mindset. We can use that opening to break apart a limiting belief and begin to forge a growth mindset.
A fixed mindset is a core belief that our basic qualities, like intelligence or talents, are fixed traits that cannot be changed. It is an extremely limiting belief that our basic abilities are set in stone and that no amount of effort will change that fact. As a direct result, we find ourselves gridlocked.
We don’t even bother putting in any effort, we avoid challenges, give up all too easily and would never want to disgrace ourselves by trying and failing in front of others.
It is not uncommon to be envious of others who seem fearless – and don’t mind making a fool of themselves. Have you ever found yourself envious of a friend who is willing to try just about anything? What about that friend who tackles a big project and never gives up, even when you would have thrown in the towel after the first failure? Do you see that sense of pride and deep satisfaction emanating from your friend when that complex challenge has turned out much better than expected?
How is it that some people seem to do the hard things in life without so much angst?
The answer is “growth mindset”. A growth mindset is a belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed and expanded through learning, commitment and perseverance.
A fixed mindset has us believing that no amount of effort or knowledge will change anything. So why even bother? It is this fixed mindset that is the tap root of all our limiting beliefs.
A growth mindset on the other hand has us believing hard work pays off. We trust that the time, energy and dedication we invest will reap worthwhile results. A growth mindset is one that grounds us in personal agency, resiliency and grit.
There are two components of a fixed mindset that tether us to that flimsy false belief that we can’t do something: frustration and fear of failure.
Frustration is one of those feelings that we got all wrong. While frustration does feel uncomfortable, it is not a sign that we are doomed to fail. In fact, it is the exact opposite: It is nothing more than our brains get fired up to create new and improved neural networks. When we reframe this initial discomfort as “activation”, it shifts everything in a positive direction.
We humans are built for a continual “re-wiring” of our dynamic brain regions. Because we didn’t understand this, we fail to make “the connection”.
Fear of failure is another example of where we focused our attention on a negative, instead of the positives that come from the old adage – “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” When we are toddlers, how many attempts and weeks does it take to learn to walk?” Do we ever get the impression from our parents that we are doomed to failure? Of course not. Not only will we be able to walk without a helping hand, we will run, jump, skip and dance.
Reframing failures as the organic, natural process of self-discovery is the pivotal psychological flex that ushers “fear of failure” right out the door. Everybody starts from scratch at some point in their life. There is no master of any craft or skill that did not use their supposed failures as stepping stones for success. It is all part of customized learning.
As you will discover in this short video with renowned psychologist, Carol Dweck, cultivating a growth. mindset sets you free from going through life with restrictive limiting beliefs. With a growth mindset, you will proactively keep rejuvenating and re-wiring your brain in dynamic positive ways throughout your entire life.
Carol Dweck is the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.