Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
I want to share an idea I came across while doing some assigned readings from my peer mentor position at BYU. Many of you may be wondering what a "peer mentor" does, so I'll explain a little bit. A peer mentor works with incoming freshman to help them learn how to make connections (with professors as well as peers), develop effective time management skills, and succeed in life as well as college. We are there to be a friend and a guide; a more experienced student who can pass on wisdom and learning.As part of our training, both new and returning mentors are required to study selected essays, speeches and other readings and then write a self-reflection essay. For our current training module, I read an excerpt from a book, Mindset, written by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. In chapter 2, "Inside the Mindsets", Dweck proposes the idea that there are two possible mindsets in relation to perceived ability: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
In short, a fixed mindset believes that ability is set; a test you take today can legitimately predict how smart you are and can be in the future. However, a growth minded individual once wrote to Dr. Dweck that, "Performance cannot be based on one assessment. You cannot determine the slope of a line given only one point, as there is no line to begin with. A single point in time does not show trends improvement, lack of effort, or mathematical ability." (Micheal D. Riodan, Ch 2, Mindset)
A fixed mindset views any mistake, rejection, or correction as evidence of failure. They give that "failure" power over them, letting it diminish their self-worth. A person stuck in a fixed mindset will often avoid challenging their abilities and trying new things out of fear that they will "be a failure;" it is safer to stick to what they know they can succeed. A fixed mindset leads people to give up as soon as things get difficult because in that mindset, if they don't try, they can't fail.
However, a growth mindset views failure much differently. While the thought of "I could have done..." is comforting to the fixed mindset, it is haunting to the growth mindset. This mindset defines true failure as not reaching his or her full potential. In the growth mindset, "failure" can still hurt, but it does not define who you are. Mistakes become opportunities to learn and improve. The growth mindset allows people to enjoy the process no matter the outcome.
"Success is about being your best self, not being better than others; failure is an opportunity, not a condemnation; effort is the key..."
I was talking the other day with my trainer, Anthony DiRocco at Vi Holistic Health, about how much people in general set limitations on their own abilities. I mentioned that I was working on improving my painting skills. My biggest setback has always been my desire for perfection. Anthony in return quoted Bob Ross, a famous painter who had a television show, The Joy of Painting, in the 1990s. Ross said, "There are no mistakes. There are only happy accidents." It is all in how we utilize the unexpected turns in life that make us who we are.
Do you live for praise and validation, or for growth and a love of learning? What do you think will get you where you want to be? Mindsets can change. People can change. Every moment is a new possibility and every person, at some point, has to face the question: "what have I done with my life?"
