Mindset

1. Mindsets shape our approach to challenges and learning

"Believing that your qualities are carved in stone—the fixed mindset—creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over."

Two primary mindsets. People generally adopt one of two mindsets: fixed or growth. Those with a fixed mindset believe their qualities are innate and unchangeable, while those with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

Impact on behavior. These mindsets profoundly affect how individuals approach challenges, setbacks, and learning opportunities:

• Fixed mindset: Avoid challenges, give up easily, see effort as fruitless
• Growth mindset: Embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as the path to mastery

Real-world consequences. Mindsets influence success in various domains:

• Education: Students' mindsets affect their academic performance and willingness to take on challenging courses
• Career: Employees' mindsets impact their professional development and ability to adapt to change
• Personal growth: Individuals' mindsets determine their capacity for self-improvement and learning new skills

2. The fixed mindset limits potential, while the growth mindset fosters development

"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

Fixed mindset limitations. People with a fixed mindset often:

• Avoid challenges to protect their self-image
• Give up easily when faced with obstacles
• See effort as a sign of inadequacy
• Ignore useful negative feedback
• Feel threatened by others' success

Growth mindset advantages. In contrast, those with a growth mindset tend to:

• Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn
• Persist in the face of setbacks
• View effort as necessary for mastery
• Learn from criticism and feedback
• Find inspiration in others' success

Cultivating a growth mindset. To foster a growth mindset:

• Recognize that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work
• Reframe challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement
• Celebrate effort and progress, not just outcomes
• Seek out feedback and use it constructively
• Embrace the process of learning, not just the end result

3. Praise effort and process, not innate talent or intelligence

"Praising children's intelligence harms their motivation and it harms their performance."

The paradox of praise. While well-intentioned, praising children for their intelligence or talent can backfire:

• It reinforces a fixed mindset, making children believe their abilities are innate and unchangeable
• It creates pressure to maintain the "smart" label, leading to avoidance of challenges
• It diminishes motivation and resilience in the face of setbacks

Effective praise strategies. Instead, focus on praising:

• Effort: "I'm proud of how hard you worked on this"
• Strategy: "Your approach to solving this problem was creative"
• Progress: "I can see how much you've improved since last time"
• Persistence: "I admire how you didn't give up when it got difficult"

Long-term impact. Process-oriented praise fosters:

• Intrinsic motivation to learn and improve
• Resilience in the face of challenges
• A growth mindset that values effort and perseverance
• Increased willingness to take on difficult tasks

4. Failure is an opportunity for growth, not a judgment of worth

"In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail—or if you're not the best—it's all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they're doing regardless of the outcome."

Redefining failure. In the growth mindset, failure is not an endpoint but a stepping stone:

• It provides valuable feedback on areas for improvement
• It offers opportunities to develop new strategies and skills
• It builds resilience and character

Learning from setbacks. To make the most of failures:

• Analyze what went wrong without self-judgment
• Identify specific areas for improvement
• Develop a plan to address weaknesses
• Seek feedback and support from others

Cultivating resilience. Embracing failure as part of the learning process leads to:

• Increased willingness to take on challenges
• Greater persistence in the face of obstacles
• Improved problem-solving skills
• Enhanced creativity and innovation

5. Successful individuals embrace challenges and persist through setbacks

"They didn't see themselves as special people, born with the right to win. They were people who worked hard, who learned how to keep their focus under pressure, and who stretched beyond their ordinary abilities when they had to."

Characteristics of high achievers. Successful individuals across various fields share common traits:

• They actively seek out challenges to grow their skills
• They view setbacks as temporary and surmountable
• They maintain focus and motivation during difficult times
• They consistently put in effort to improve their abilities

Examples of growth mindset in action:

• Michael Jordan: Relentless practice and willingness to learn from failures
• Thomas Edison: Viewed each failed experiment as a step toward success
• J.K. Rowling: Persisted through multiple rejections before publishing Harry Potter

Cultivating a success-oriented mindset:

• Set challenging but achievable goals
• Develop strategies to overcome obstacles
• Seek feedback and learn from criticism
• Celebrate progress and effort, not just end results
• Surround yourself with supportive, growth-minded individuals

6. Relationships thrive with a growth mindset approach

"In the growth mindset, there may still be that exciting initial combustion, but people in this mindset don't expect magic. They believe that a good, lasting relationship comes from effort and from working through inevitable differences."

Fixed mindset in relationships. People with a fixed mindset often:

• Expect perfect compatibility without effort
• View conflicts as signs of incompatibility
• Struggle to communicate effectively during disagreements
• Give up easily when faced with relationship challenges

Growth mindset in relationships. Those with a growth mindset tend to:

• See relationships as opportunities for mutual growth and development
• View conflicts as chances to understand each other better
• Communicate openly and work through differences
• Invest effort in maintaining and improving the relationship

Fostering healthy relationships:

• Practice active listening and empathy
• Be willing to compromise and find mutually beneficial solutions
• Celebrate each other's growth and achievements
• Support each other through challenges and setbacks
• Continuously work on improving communication and understanding

7. Effective leaders cultivate growth mindsets in themselves and others

"When we taught people the growth mindset, it completely changed the way they reacted to their depressed mood. The worse they felt, the more motivated they became and the more they confronted the problems that faced them."

Leadership and mindset. Effective leaders embody and foster growth mindsets:

• They view challenges as opportunities for organizational growth
• They encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking
• They provide constructive feedback and support for improvement
• They celebrate team efforts and progress, not just results

Creating a growth-oriented culture:

• Encourage learning and development at all levels
• Reward effort, creativity, and perseverance
• Foster an environment where it's safe to take risks and make mistakes
• Provide opportunities for skill development and mentorship

Examples of growth-minded leaders:

• Jack Welch (General Electric): Emphasized continuous learning and improvement
• Satya Nadella (Microsoft): Transformed company culture to embrace growth and innovation
• Anne Mulcahy (Xerox): Led turnaround by fostering a culture of adaptability and perseverance

8. Parents and teachers can foster growth mindsets in children

"Parents think they can hand children permanent confidence—like a gift—by praising their brains and talent. It doesn't work, and in fact has the opposite effect."

Cultivating growth mindsets in education:

• Focus on effort and strategy, not innate ability
• Provide specific, process-oriented feedback
• Encourage students to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes
• Create a classroom environment that values learning over performance

Parenting for a growth mindset:

• Praise effort, strategy, and improvement, not intelligence or talent
• Model a growth mindset by embracing challenges and learning from failures
• Encourage children to take on new challenges and persist through difficulties
• Discuss the brain's ability to grow and change with effort and learning

Long-term benefits:

• Increased resilience and adaptability
• Greater academic and personal achievement
• Enhanced problem-solving skills
• Improved self-esteem and confidence based on effort and growth

9. Change is possible: Mindsets can be developed and maintained

"Mindsets are an important part of your personality, but you can change them."

Understanding mindset plasticity. Mindsets are not fixed traits:

• They can be influenced by experiences, education, and conscious effort
• Changing mindsets requires awareness, commitment, and practice
• Even small shifts in thinking can lead to significant changes in behavior and outcomes

Strategies for developing a growth mindset:

• Recognize and challenge fixed mindset thoughts
• Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth
• Cultivate a passion for learning and self-improvement
• Seek out feedback and use it constructively
• Celebrate effort and progress, not just achievements

Maintaining a growth mindset:

• Regularly reflect on your thought patterns and behaviors
• Surround yourself with growth-minded individuals
• Practice self-compassion when facing setbacks
• Continuously seek out new learning opportunities
• Share your growth mindset journey with others to reinforce your commitment

Last updated: January 22, 2025