What is the mindset?
Mindset is a set of attitudes or beliefs that affects how you think, feel, and behave. The research and evidence produced by Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University provide undeniable proof that the key is not about ability but people’s beliefs about their ability.
A mindset refers to whether you believe qualities such as intelligence and talent are fixed or changeable traits. She has shown that these beliefs affect people’s behaviours, performance, and whether they achieve their best.
What is Motivational Intelligence?
Motivational Intelligence has existed since the inception of humankind. However, it is so outside of the populace’s collective view and vernacular that it might as well be hidden in cloak-and-dagger intrigue and secrecy. Nevertheless, like the force of gravity, its intangible yet majestic Power – once defined – can be found at the epicentre of all humanity’s accomplishments, failures, and everything in between.
The Mindset & (MQ)
Professor Dweck identifies two mindsets:
- The Fixed Mindset: People with a fixed mindset believe that their most important personal characteristics, like intelligence and personality, are primarily fixed and unchangeable. This mindset leads to a never-ending need to prove themselves, protect their ego, and continuously validate their sense of self.
- The Growth Mindset: People with a growth mindset believe their basic qualities and abilities can be cultivated through effort and persistence. This mindset leads to a passion for learning, personal development, confidence, and a resilient sense of self in the face of adversity and criticism.
Thankfully, our mindset is not itself a fixed characteristic. And choosing to cultivate a growth mindset is possible for anyone. The benefits of doing so are wide-ranging, from increased confidence and self-esteem to resilience, creativity, and perseverance.
Mindset Formation
Most people are trained in the two types of mindsets early in life, often through how they are raised or their experiences in school. Certain characteristics can be assigned to either a fixed or growth mindset.
Fixed Mindsets Formation
Children who are taught that they should look smart instead of loving learning tend to develop a fixed mindset.
They become more concerned with being judged and fear that they might not live up to expectations.
Growth Mindsets Formation
Kids taught to explore, embrace new experiences, and enjoy challenges are more likely to develop a growth mindset.
Rather than seeing mistakes as setbacks, they are willing to try new things and make errors, all in the name of learning and achieving their potential.
A growth mindset is about living up to one’s possible potential. This potential, however, is never knowable.
Who knows how far a person can go if they set their mind to it? People with a growth mindset believe that the effort that goes into learning and deepening their understanding and talents is well worth all the toil and trouble.
Can You Change Your Mindset?
While people with a fixed mindset might disagree, Dweck suggests that people can change their mindsets. Parents can also take steps to ensure that their children develop growth mindsets, often through praising efforts rather than focusing solely on results.
For example, instead of telling a child or yourself, for that matter, that he or she is “so smart,” a parent might commend the child for their hard work on a project and describe what they like the most about the child’s efforts (“I really like how you chose the colours for that picture!”).
By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, adults can help kids and themselves understand that their efforts, hard work, and dedication can lead to change, learning, and growth both now and in the future.
Throughout history, countless stories have been of people who overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to success.
What is it that caused these people to persist where others gave up?
Why were they able to stay focused and motivated despite all the setbacks? Why did they so steadfastly believe that it was possible when everyone around them told them it wasn’t going to work out?
What caused these people to beat the odds? Was it luck or circumstances?
Perhaps, it was something much more fundamental. Something internal that caused them to “think” differently. Perhaps, it was the mindset that they possessed that mattered most. It was their ability to motivate themselves and keep moving forward; it was their motivational intelligence or growth mindset.