We’re sure you’ve heard the quote “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” by Henry Ford. Well, it’s true. Research shows over and over again that “the view you adopt for yourself will profoundly affect the way you lead your life.” (Mindset, Dweck, pg 6)
We’ve learned here at STC Direct Philly that here are two types of “mindset” a person can adopt: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. When you possess a fixed mindset, you’re stuck with the idea that you’ve been given a particular set of skills and that’s all you’ll ever have. When you have a growth mindset, you believe you have the ability to become better and grow your skills.
BUT you’re not exactly stuck with all or nothing regarding either mindset. You can have a fixed mindset regarding certain subjects and a growth mindset for others. For example, you may think you’re only as skilled as you’ll ever be regarding something as difficult as computer coding or financial marketing, but you believe you can learn and become a better leader and more physically fit.
What are some of the topics that you believe you can become better at and what are some of the ones you believe you’re destined for mediocrity?
What pushes us to believe we’re stuck at one skill level? Is it true? It’s not 100% either. You may not have the innate ability to be a basketball superstar but, with practice, you can become a skilled ballplayer. A growth mindset is based on the belief that you’re able to grow and cultivate skills through effort. It’s not a grandiose idea that you can become anything and everything such as the next Einstein or Beethoven, but it’s the idea that we have no idea our limits and that means we can constantly grow. Each person has a unique genetic endowment and more capacity for lifelong learning and brain development than we ever thought.
We’re sure that you recognize that you have the ability to grow and develop and become better people, but it still scares you to try new things in front of people. Have you ever felt so embarrassed by failure that it kept you from trying anything remotely new in front of others? Have you felt that your failures are a direct measure of your competence and worth?
Whenever you start feeling a little low on yourself, try to recognize whether you’re just venting frustration or attacking your value. You’ll be able to curb your fixed mentality and start working on your growth mindset.
Action Items
To improve your growth mindset we challenge you to ask yourself these questions whenever you’re unsuccessful:
-What can I do differently next time?
-How can I improve?
-What steps do I need to take to ensure success?
Whether you believe you can or you can’t, your mindset is going to help you or keep you from getting there. Spend the remaining 4 months of the year reminding yourself that you’re capable of anything…that you apply yourself to. Our team here at STC Direct Philly believes in you.
STC Direct Philly 