Contents
Growth mindset describes a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. People who have a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities aren’t set in stone. They think that with work, their skills can improve over time.
Those who hold a growth mindset believe that they can get better at something by dedication of time, effort and energy. Working on one’s flaws, and the process—not the outcome—are the most important components. With time and practice, people with a growth mindset believe they can achieve what they want.
Example 1: Running late and missing the bus or car pool
A growth mindset response will be to decide to go to bed earlier tonight, set an alarm and lay out your clothes and breakfast dishes in the evening itself, so that tomorrow can be better and different.
Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset |
---|---|
That’s just who I am. I can’t change it. | I’m a constantly evolving work in progress. |
If you have to work hard, you don’t have the ability. | The more you challenge yourself, the smarter you become. |
If I don’t try, then I won’t fail. | I only fail when I stop trying. |
Growth mindset is the idea that, with effort, it’s possible to increase intelligence levels, talents, and abilities. … These students are often tempted to give up when things get hard—they may run from challenges, see mistakes as failures, or approach success differently to their classmates with a growth mindset.
Our program, as an example, costs schools between $5 and $10 per student. The reality is that a very negligible investment on the part of a school could be the catalyst for the transformation so many schools need.
Having a growth mindset (the belief that you are in control of your own ability, and can learn and improve) is the key to success. Yes, hard work, effort, and persistence are all important, but not as important as having that underlying belief that you are in control of your own destiny.
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment,” Dweck wrote.
Changing Roles. Another one of the best growth mindset examples is allowing yourself to take on different roles. While it may be similar to doing a new task above, keep in mind that someone is swapping with you.
Among his inspirational quotations, Thomas Edison claimed that “opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work”. His growth mindset and unstoppable curiosity led him to invent and experiment to the point that he held 1,093 US patents.
A mindset is a series of self-perceptions or beliefs people hold about themselves. These determine behaviour, outlook and mental attitude. For example, believing you are either ‘intelligent’ or ‘unintelligent’. Two mindsets have been identified by Carol Dweck, (Professor of Psychology at Stanford University).
Children who understand that the brain can get smarter—who have a growth mindset—do better in school because they have an empowering perspective on learning. They focus on improvement and see effort as a way to build their abilities. They see failure as a natural part of the learning process.
The Power of Growth Mindset
Effective teachers represent perhaps the most important factor in boosting student achievement. When they exhibit a growth mindset, they’re more likely to establish high expectations for students, make instruction engaging and offer extra help when necessary.
Implemented in 37 states, the 7 Mindsets solution is evidence based and has been assessed for impact on student achievement, behavior, and attendance, as well as resilience, grit, and life orientation (attitude).