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Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: Which One Are You Living With? ????

Hey there, friend! ????

Let’s talk about something pretty cool today—mindsets. Yep, that little voice in your head that either says, “You’ve got this!” or “Why even bother?” Turns out, your mindset has a massive impact on how you approach challenges, learn new things, and grow as a person.

In fact, there are two major types of mindsets: the growth mindset and the fixed mindset. They’re like two best friends who see the world in totally different ways. One thrives on progress and learning, while the other gets stuck in the comfort zone. But here’s the good news: you can choose which one to nurture. So, grab a comfy seat (and maybe a snack), and let’s dive into how your mindset shapes your ability to grow and thrive! ????

What’s a Growth Mindset?

Picture this: you’re trying something new—say, learning how to bake a cake. You try, and, oops, the cake ends up looking like it fought with gravity and lost. ?

If you have a growth mindset, you might say to yourself, “Oh well, that was a mess, but I can figure this out. Let me try again!” A growth mindset is all about believing you can improve with effort, learning, and persistence. It's having an inner coach that cheers you on and says, “You're not there yet, but you'll get there!”

That's people who have a growth mindset—viewing challenges as chances to prove themselves and embracing failure as a part of learning. Not fearing to be out of their comfort zone makes them look quite empowering.

What's a Fixed Mindset?

Now let's say you're still that same baker with the bad cake. Only this time, if you have a fixed mindset, you might say to yourself, “Ugh, I'm terrible at this. I guess I'm just not cut out for baking.”

A fixed mindset views abilities and intelligence as set in concrete. If you're good at something, great-you stick to that. If you're not? You avoid it like the plague. People with fixed mindsets look at failure as proof of not being good enough rather than as an opportunity for growth.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: The Key Differences

Here's a cheat sheet for spotting the key differences:

Growth Mindset 🚀

Fixed Mindset 🛑

Sees challenges as opportunities.

Avoids challenges out of fear of failure.

Believes skills can be improved.

Thinks skills are set in stone.

Loves feedback (even tough ones).

Hates feedback—it feels personal.

Keeps trying after failure.

Gives up after failure.

Focuses on the journey and learning.

Focuses only on results.

How Your Mindset Shapes Your Life

Your mindset is like a pair of glasses-it colors how you see the world and how you go through life. Here's how this works:

1.     In relationships:

  • With a growth mindset: You believe people can grow and change. Open to conflict resolution and the art of improving communication.
  • With a fixed mindset: You may think, “People don’t change,” and give up on fixing problems.

2.     At Work or School:

  • With a growth mindset: Challenges excite you, and feedback feels like an opportunity to grow.
  • With a fixed mindset: You avoid tasks you’re not confident in and take criticism personally.

3. In Personal Goals:

  • With a growth mindset: You try new things, take risks, and keep going, even when it’s tough.
  • With a fixed mindset: You stick with what you know and avoid anything that feels hard or uncertain.

Which Mindset Are You Living With?

Now, for the fun part—seeing where you are at. Don’t worry—no one has a perfect growth mindset 24/7. We are all a mix of both, and that is okay!

Take a moment to reflect on the following:

  • Do you shy away from new challenges, or do you dive in headfirst?
  • How do you handle feedback? Do you welcome it or dread it?
  • When you fail at something, do you see it as a lesson or a dead end?

Fixed or growth—that is the question. If you found yourself more on the fixed mindset side, don’t panic. Mindsets aren’t permanent. You can actually train your brain to adopt a growth mindset. It’s a skill—like any other! 

Check out the blog the Science of Positivity: How Optimism Impacts Success

How to Grow a Growth Mindset

Want to change it up and live in a growth mindset? Well, here are easy, do-it-now steps for you to do that:

1.     Embrace the Power of “Yet”

Instead of telling yourself, “I can’t do this,” remind yourself, “I can’t do this yet.” That little word makes all the difference. It reminds you that it takes time and effort to grow.

2.     Reframe Failures as Lessons

Next time you mess up—and you will; it comes with life—ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Every time you fail, it brings you one step closer to success.

3.     Seek Feedback (and Listen to It!)

The feedback will most likely be difficult to hear; otherwise, you won’t think about using it to fuel your own personal growth.

4.     Challenge Yourself

Jump out of the comfort zone now and then. Do something new, even if it feels frightening. Growth occurs as you stretch.

5.     Praise Effort, Not Just Results

When you work hard, give yourself credit—even if the outcome isn’t perfect. Effort is what leads to progress.

A Story About Mindset

Let me share a quick story. One time, a friend of mine said, “I’m terrible at drawing. I could never do art.” But one day, she took a beginner art class, just for fun. And at first, her drawings looked. well, let’s just say they were unique. But she kept practicing, asking for feedback, and trying new techniques.

Fast forward a year, and now she’s creating beautiful, frame-worthy pieces. Her secret? A growth mindset. She didn’t let her “I can’t draw” belief hold her back. Instead, she replaced it with, “I can’t draw. yet.”

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Switching to a growth mindset doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s so worth it. When you embrace growth, life feels fuller. You start to see challenges as adventures, failures as stepping stones, and possibilities as endless.

You're not stuck where you are-you're constantly growing. And that's a pretty amazing thing, don't you think?

Your Growth Journey Starts Now

So, what type of mindset are you living with right now? More importantly, what kind of mindset do you want to create? Remember, the goal isn't to be perfect-just to grow and have compassion on yourself in the meantime.

Take a minute today and evaluate your mindset. Perhaps you could try one of the suggestions from above. Remember, you really do have the power to change, to grow, and to live life abundantly.

Let's Chat

What is something you wish you could move from fixed to growth in your own life? Leave it in the comments below or simply use this time for silent reflection-your journey, your voice.

Growing one step at a time with each mindset shift we can make together. Readmore here

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