The Answers: About What Fixed And Growth Mindsets Are

Mindset refers to a person's fundamental beliefs and attitudes about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them. In general, most people will develop either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset while growing up. Not everything is black and white, of course, so a lot of people will end up somewhere in the middle when it comes to having a fixed or growth mindset. If you’re wondering what the difference, is, exactly, between a fixed and growth mindset, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll be breaking down what it means to have a fixed mindset vs. what it means to have a growth mindset. In a nutshell, people with a growth mindset tend to be more successful in life because they believe they can learn from their mistakes, whereas people who have a fixed mindset refuse to change or grow as a person due to their pessimistic outlook on things. There’s a lot more to it than that, though, so let’s get into it!

What is a Fixed Mindset?

Those who have a fixed mindset tend to see their qualities and abilities as “fixed traits” — meaning said qualities and abilities cannot be changed. A person with a fixed mindset might believe that people are successful because of raw talent, rather than hard work, and that life generally isn’t fair. In other words, they believe that a person is born with a certain amount of skill, which cannot ever be improved upon.

Most people who have a fixed mindset believe that they are just naturally good or bad at something — they don’t consider the fact that someone may be good at something because they’ve worked super hard to get to that point. Someone with a fixed mindset might also give up easily and shy away from challenges. This is likely rooted in an intense fear of failure.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is basically the opposite of a fixed mindset. As stated before, people who have a growth mindset are able to learn from their mistakes and take constructive criticism to heart. They believe that there is always room for personal growth, and look forward to challenges instead of shying away from them.

Unlike those who have a fixed mindset, people who have a growth mindset believe that they can do anything (within reason), as long as they put enough time, dedication, and hard work into it. They also understand that personal growth doesn’t happen immediately, and that talent, generally, isn’t something you’re born with.

"Your mindset is everything. What you think, you become." - Buddha

To sum it up, the fixed mindset believes intelligence and abilities are static traits, while the growth mindset sees them as qualities that anyone can achieve, and can be developed through effort and learning. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges, fearing failure, while people with a growth mindset embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Those with a fixed mindset view criticism as a personal attack, whereas growth mindsets see it as constructive feedback for improvement. At the end of the day, it's about perspective and believing in yourself! Even though some people seem to be born with innate abilities, they too put in the power of effort and perseverance to improve and grow the skills they are destined to have. Change your mind and you can change your life! Sending peace, love and light soul family ✨