Day 7: Mindset
#evolving40 Day 7: #Mindset
One of the most life-changing concepts I’ve ever learned is the power of mindset. In her research, Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, Ph. D. discovered that people with a fixed mindset -- who believe that intelligence and abilities are fixed -- are less likely to thrive than those with a growth mindset -- who believe that natural abilities are just a starting point and can be developed.
My sister Gillian and I discussed mindset on Semi-Together episode #16, Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs (link below). What can seem like facts about ourselves and others are actually unfounded beliefs. It’s common for us to form these beliefs as children and reinforce them throughout our lives through confirmation bias, paying attention only to the experiences that confirm them.
I've gotten in my own way over the years with limiting beliefs like these:
“I’m just not good at math / sports / money management / job interviews / public speaking / photography.”
"I'm tech-challenged."
"I'm just not a happy person."
The truth:
1. I can give myself a little more credit on most of these fronts. This assessment is accurate only if my standard is perfection.
2. These can become self-fulfilling prophecies.
3. I can easily shift the fixed mindset (this will never change) to the growth mindset (I can get better) by adding a “yet” -- that is, “I’m not good at this YET.”
Dweck is very clear about not praising children for fixed qualities like intelligence and talent: “That has failed. Don’t do that anymore.” Research shows that people can grow their IQ and talents significantly through effort and perseverance -- and these are the behaviors to praise.
One of the students Dweck talks about in her excellent book, “Mindset,” learns about the growth mindset and asks with tears in his eyes, “You mean I don’t have to be dumb?”
I think many of us feel dumb and incompetent in certain areas, and it’s incredibly empowering to know that we’re not destined to stay that way.
* How I’ve evolved in mindset: While I acknowledge the kids’ cleverness, I praise them for sticking with hard challenges and figuring out solutions. I tell them, “We can do hard things.” When it comes to skills, I don’t say “I can’t do that” anymore without adding a “yet.”
* How I’m evolving: The Evolving 40 is documenting the evidence that yes, I have evolved in many ways, even if it feels like I haven't. With a growth mindset, I know that I can keep making progress in any area -- even if that skill doesn’t come naturally.
Links:
Semi-Together Ep. 16: Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs
TEDx talk by Carol Dweck: The power of believing you can improve
