Fixed Mindset or Growth Mindset — Which do you tend toward? And is it possible to change a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset? Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck outlines these two types of mindsets and the impact on personal development and success in her book, Mindset, The New Psychology of Success.

A brief highlight of the two mindsets are:

Fixed Mindset People:

• Believe they are just the way they are
• Avoid challenges
• Get blocked by obstacles
• Avoid effort and hard work
• Ignore criticism – valid or not
• Feel threatened by the success of others

Growth Mindset People:

• Believe they can learn and improve
• Embrace Challenges
• Persist even with setbacks
• See effort as useful for growth
• Learn from criticism
• Inspired by successes of others

(Read Dr. Dweck’s book for full explanations.)

Do you recognize yourself in either list? Perhaps you have some traits in each list? Do you recognize someone else? Isn’t it interesting how easily we can recognize the traits of others? What if you asked someone about your traits… would they have the same perspective of you that you do? Go ahead – find out what they would say!

What impact on success does a Fixed Mindset have for a Salesperson verses a Growth Mindset? Which mindset enhances entrepreneurial success? What about health care? Or leadership? Or even an entire corporate culture? Sure there are many other aspects that influence success, however what is happening each day is viewed through the filter of opportunity or not.

Several articles about this book have referenced that you can change from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset… with hard work and effort… seems a Catch22 since the Fixed Mindset avoids effort!. Conscious awareness provides limited impact because you have to remember to stop your initial reaction and think differently.  I offer that you can change a mindset in an effective and efficient way when you use a process that directly impacts the level of thinking that initiates the mindset – the subconscious.

If you want to explore this more, visit InnerActive Mindset or contact Robin Graham at 901.757.4434 or Robin@InnerActiveConsulting.com