Your mindset is made up of your ideas, beliefs, and attitude. It’s the way you think, how you process the world, and your overall outlook on life. Scientists have primarily categorized mindsets into two types; the growth mindset and the fixed mindset. People with growth mindsets believe their intelligence and talent can be developed over time. They focus on improvement and view effort as a way to advance and grow their learning. People with fixed mindsets believe intelligence and talent is fixed and therefore cannot be changed or improved upon. They tend to focus on judgment and trying to prove they are smart. They avoid situations or problems where they don’t know the answer. Both mindsets have contrasting views of failure as well. Someone with a growth mindset will face challenges head on, embrace failure, and learn from mistakes to ultimately progress. Someone with a fixed mindset however, will avoid challenges to prevent failure or mistakes, and ignore any constructive criticism in order to appear ‘smart’.
Numerous studies have proven that people who have growth mindsets do better academically. They increase their knowledge and accomplishments by confronting difficulty instead of hiding from it or avoiding it. They learn from their mistakes and use them as a stepping stool to their advantage. Students with fixed mindsets believe they are only born with a certain amount of intelligence. If they fail at a task, they will believe they aren’t smart enough to do it. They will hide from challenges and they tend to give up more easily. Usually, other peoples’ success will threaten or intimidate them. This type of mindset can lead to negative thinking and low self esteem. That is why people with fixed mindsets will try to appear more intelligent in front of others.
If you are unable to identify which mindset you have by reading these characteristics, there are plenty of online quizzes you can take as well. If you find room for improvement in your current attitude, there are ways to shift your mindset. Developing a growth mindset is difficult, but it is well worth the time and effort. Not only is it a better way to learn, it is a better way to live. A growth mindset will help ensure that you bounce back from failure and continue putting in extra effort. This can ensure success not only in school, but in careers and jobs as well. The first thing you can do is simply reflect. Start by writing in a journal to have somewhere to put down your thoughts. Acknowledging and embracing failures, cultivating self acceptance, and promoting self awareness in yourself are all good steps. Additionally, you must change your attitude. Fixed mindsets can host negative and pessimistic thoughts which must be abandoned. Replace those types of thoughts with positive and optimistic ones that inspire you, even in the face of failure. Lastly, try to appreciate the journey. Recognize the value of what you’re doing. Admitting flaws and improving yourself is not an easy task. Find those moments of happiness, be grateful for what you have, and cherish this life because you only have one.
All of this is easier said than done, but you won’t know you can do it unless you try. There will be setbacks, but those can either hold you back or make you better. Whichever path you take, is entirely up to you.
Edited by Jamie Zhang
Hiba Godil is a grade 12 student from Ontario, Canada. She has a passion for learning and speaks 4 languages. She wants to pursue a degree in health and nutrition to eventually become a dietitian.
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