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11d (edited) • Intellectual/Personal Growth💡
Learning is Hard. Staying Stuck is Harder. (Growth vs. Fixed Mindset)
I'm going to be just a little sassy for a quick second...I'm mainly speaking to myself here, but if this hits home for any of you, maybe that's okay too.
"Stop shrinking to fit yesterday's version of you".
One of the things that I really struggle with hearing is the phrase "This is just who I am".. Is it who we are or is it the habits that we've built over time that 'feel' ingrained? We often tie identity to the things to which we've habituated but does the need to then become our identity? Maybe, maybe not.
(Also, a side note---I think that this month, more than any other months in the past, I've been challenged to really embrace challenges--this has been through conversations, through readings, through random IG reels (I guess that's not so random), through too many mediums to really ignore as mere coincidences. It's a call to action. If we don't embrace challenges willingly, challenges will find us and then the question will be: Are we in a place where we've built the warrior within to be able to handle it? )
A nod to and Jesus who I can't tag (and to each one of you that have shared the challenges that you're taking on and your perseverance!!).
One of the strongest findings in psychology is that our beliefs about ability influence how we behave, how we handle tough situations and also how we deal with setbacks. Carol Dweck (a short video below) has done research on the difference between how people handle situations. A fixed mindset sees abilities as static. A growth mindset sees abilities as skills that can change with effort, strategy, and support.
The difference sounds simple, but it shifts everything about how we respond to challenge.
People with a fixed mindset often avoid situations where they might struggle. To them, struggle feels like proof that they are not good enough or that they shouldn't try. People with a growth mindset see struggle as information. It tells them what needs more attention, more practice, or a different approach. The belief itself changes our ability to be resilient.
** Indicators of a Fixed Mindset
These patterns show up when someone believes ability is set in stone and intelligence is static:
-“If I cannot do it right away, something is wrong with me.”
-Avoiding challenges to protect ego.
-Feeling threatened by others’ success.
-Giving up quickly when frustrated.
-Viewing effort as a sign of inadequacy.
-Strong fear of mistakes or being judged.
** Indicators of a Growth Mindset
These patterns show up when someone believes abilities can develop/change/grow:
-“This is hard, but I can learn it.”
-Seeing mistakes as part of the process.
-Asking questions and trying new strategies. (curiosity!!)
-Feeling inspired by others’ success.
-Persisting through frustration.
-Viewing effort as a path to mastery.
A growth mindset does not mean ignoring limits or pretending everything is just easy. It means trusting that the mind can adapt with time and that skills are rarely fixed qualities. Cognitive psychology supports this. Repetition strengthens neural pathways. Leaning into the suck makes the parts of the brain that are associated with living longer. Novelty and challenge stimulate new connections. Reward systems in the brain reinforce learning when we approach rather than avoid difficulty.
**Strategies to Strengthen a Growth Mindset
1. Normalize struggle: Remind yourself that discomfort is part of learning. The brain literally rewires in response to challenge.
2. Replace judgment with curiosity: Shift from “I messed this up” to “What is this showing me about what I need next?” Curiosity is perhaps one of my favorite attributes to lean into! :)
3. Celebrate small progress Growth is made of tiny wins. Noticing them strengthens motivation. We can build momentum. Will power is not something that's just there or isn't--it's usually strengthened over time with consistsent practice!
4. Use the word “yet.”: “I cannot do this YET” is one of the simplest and most powerful mindset shifts.
5. Focus on process, not identity: Try praising effort, strategies, and persistence, not labels like smart or talented. Focus on shifts that have occurred. I kind of like the 1% rule--can I do 1%better than yesterday?
6. Reframe mistakes as data: Every error carries information about how the brain learns--let's be curious. Let's do an AAR (after action report) identifying what went well and also where there's room for improvement.
A growth mindset is about flexibility--believing that we can adapt and change with experience. When we adopt that belief, challenges become less threatening and more meaningful. We begin to see ourselves as works in progress rather than finished products.
Question to ponder: Have there been times in life when you've felt stuck and shifting your mindset helped you move through? Any limiting beliefs that hold you back from moving forward?
(below are a couple of videos--one is a TedTalk and short; the other is a podcast and much longer.
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Learning is Hard. Staying Stuck is Harder. (Growth vs. Fixed Mindset)
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