How A Fixed Mindset Is Holding You Back
- May 1, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: May 3, 2023
Written by: Megan Miller, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Carol Dweck first coined the term “fixed mindset” back in 2006 through her book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” as part of her decades-long study of implicit theories of intelligence. This form of psychology dives into whether or not intelligence and abilities of students can change. With all the new focus on mindset and motivational focus in the self-help circles, it’s becoming clearer now more than ever the pains of a fixed mindset – and the benefits of its sister, the growth mindset.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.” ― Henry Ford
What is a fixed mindset, and why is it ‘bad’?
As Carol Dweck states in her research, “Believing that your qualities are carved in stone — the fixed mindset — creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over.” In a sense, nothing is ever good enough. If you’re constantly trying to chase your own tail to prove yourself as “good enough”, that’s a lot of energy to spend on something, regardless of the outcome… but those with a fixed mindset are only focused on an outcome. If it’s not a success, what’s the point?
Now, mindset isn’t tied to morality: having a fixed mindset doesn’t mean that you’re a ‘bad’ person, the same as having a growth mindset doesn’t mean you’re a ‘good’ person. Rather, I like to say that having a fixed mindset is unhelpful.
Because our brains are wired to seek out pleasure and avoid pain, no one really likes to do something we have no talent or interest in… but those with a fixed mindset wouldn’t even try. And attempting,
experimenting, or trying new things brings a certain vitality to life. It’s one thing to plod through the same routine, day after day because you enjoy it – it’s another to feel chained to it.
What’s so great about a growth mindset?
Growth mindset comes up a lot in education and coaching because it really encompasses the belief that growth and change are possible. Adopting this mindset isn’t as simple as adopting a pet: it’s not something you can fill out a form and purchase. Because you’re literally rewriting the neural pathways and thoughts that your head likes to be full of, this mindset shift will take time, energy, and constant policing – at least, at first. And it’s completely vale la pena, or worth it. Why?
Because you can begin again, and again, and again… because learning is a process. Having a set of thoughts, beliefs, and your own mental cheerleaders supporting you in whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve makes any language, task, sport, hobby, or fields of study makes learning enjoyable, and it also means that the sky is the limit on what you can and want to add to your life.
Growth mindset means that you can begin again. You can take a break. You can fail, and it means nothing about who you are or your worth as a person. ‘Failing forward’, or ‘failing often and early’ simply means that learning is taking place – but as a society, we don’t always celebrate our failures.
Whether you choose to celebrate your own failures or not, growth mindset only requires that you acknowledge them. Take language, for example: I could fill up an entire book of embarrassing stories. The beautiful thing of language, though, is that it helps cultivate relationships. And contrary to those CAPTCHA codes, we all know that we’re human… many times, that’s worth a second chance.
Other than the inherent “newness” that growth mindset is known for, to me, the beautiful thing is the opportunity. Nothing in this world – arts, crafts, hobbies, language, travel – is immediately out of the question because ‘my brain just doesn’t work like that’. Instead, to those with a growth mindset, it simply means that new things are handled with more care.
Why should I care?
If the words “I’m just not a (fill in the blank) person” have ever left your mouth, I urge you to think again of how your mindset is holding you back.
What are you missing out on?
Mindsets are tricky, because they apply separately to different parts of your life. You could be holding yourself back and not even realize it – at home, work, school, or hobbies.
Life is meant to be enjoyed, and that means having fun. And if “I’m just not a language person” has been pinging around in your head, send me a message. Most of the time, learning itself isn’t unenjoyable – it’s the way that you were taught (which is why things like rap music, journaling, or debates are so much fun!)
Buddha was right: “What you think, you become.”
Más que nada, espero que se vuelvas una persona aventurera y que aproveches esta vida. More than anything, I hope you become an adventurous person and make the most of this life.
Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for additional motivation and education tips. Reach out to let me know you’ve read my article; I’d love to hear from you!
Megan Miller, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Megan Miller is a leader in Spanish <> English teaching and bespoke habit-based language learning. Ever since discovering the worlds beyond words as a child, Megan has dedicated her efforts to mastering Spanish, English, and how to create lasting habits to improve and maintain language skills. She is the CEO of Aprovechar Language Solutions whose mission is to empower those in need of a bilingual voice.
