There are two types of mindset we can cultivate.
One that embraces problems as learning opportunities, and one that avoids them due to fear of failure. People that avoid problems can often be described as having a fixed mindset. Those who see problems as an interesting or fun challenge have a growth mindset. Those who have a fixed mindset do so because they believe that basic qualities like intelligence or talent are fixed traits and that these traits are responsible for success. With the growth mindset, people believe that new skills can be developed through hard work and practice.
This view creates a love for learning that most great leaders and artists have in common. For them, life becomes an exciting journey with endless possibilities to figure out new things and advance forward. To illustrate the difference in everyday life, let's observe 2 imaginary people.
Robert thinks you’ve either got it or you don’t. Emily knows she can learn anything if she wants it badly enough. At physical exercise Robert avoids challenges. When it’s time to climb the rock wall he's afraid to look stupid and be laughed at. Emily enjoys any challenge. It's exciting and fun. She knows that failure is part of learning and in the end, if she’s tried her best, nobody will be laughing.
Robert avoids feedback. If his boss tells him how to improve an assignment, he's been working on he takes it personally. Emily knows that to improve she needs to listen to constructive criticism. She also understands that it’s not her that is being assessed but the results of her work on that one day.
Robert always takes the easy road. For example, he likes elevators and hates to take the stairs. When he is practicing the piano, he stops the moment he’s getting stuck. Emily usually doesn't even take the elevator. She jumps on the stairs, counts every step in her head, and enjoys feeling the blood rushing through her veins. She practices the guitar every morning for 15 minutes. She doesn’t always enjoy it but she knows that effort is part of the journey to more fun and fulfilling life. Emily likes to see others succeed. It inspires her. She knows that if she motivates her friends to get better. She herself is likely to grow too. If his friends try new things and succeed Robert feels threatened. He's afraid that their success will put pressure on him to do more with his life too.
Neuroscience supports the idea that the brain grows like any other muscle in the body with training. A simple switch in how a person views a situation (as a learning opportunity or an unsolvable problem) can mean all the difference in the world. Not just the outcome of the situation but the outcome of that person's place in life.
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Are you Emily or Robert? was originally published on
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