FIXED MENTALITY VS GROWTH MENTALITY 2 I would describe a fixed mindset as an obstacle for individuals who would like to do better for themselves. With a fixed mindset you stick to what you know to maintain your confidence, if you fail, you think your efforts were wasted. Individuals with a growth mindset are continually looking for ways to learn new things. A growth mindset would benefit your learning experience. “In a growth mindset, maintain your confidence by always pushing yourself into the unfamiliar, to ensure you are always learning (Derek Sivers).” There are three ways to instill a growth mindset in ourselves and those around us. First, we recognize that the growth mindset is not only beneficial, but it is also supported by science. Second, we learn and teach others how to develop our skills. Learn about deliberate practice and what makes an effective effort. When we understand how to develop our capabilities, we strengthen our belief that we are responsible for them. Third, listen to the voice of your fixed mindset, when you hear it, respond with the voice of the growth mindset. If you hear "I can't do this", add AGAIN (YouTube video). Before starting this lesson, I asked one individual to comment, “do you know how hard it will be to try to work and go to school at the same time?” My response was: I wish I had done this several years ago. Even though I know I may face some challenges in the beginning, I know I will achieve this goal. Now I see that this is a growth mindset. A growth mindset is also helpful in the workplace. You need to recognize good behavior, reward people when they do something right. This will instill a growth mindset and make them want to continue improving. It's also fine if you have to give constructive criticism as long as you do it about an individual's behavior and not about his personality. It is much easier for an individual to change the way he does things. Even though I am moving towards a growth mindset, there are some thoughts that keep me from achieving all that I am capable of doing. I think results should come easily and I feel a little discouraged when I can't achieve satisfactory results in something. I think there is a part of me that is reluctant to risk failure and I worry about how others will judge me, which is a fixed mindset. I know, sometimes; I'm too hard on myself. I have always considered myself a leader and not a follower, which is why I feel I cannot disappoint anyone. After watching the video and seeing how Josh Waitzkin realized that losing his first chess championship made him a better person, I need to let go of this fear. As Josh Waitzkin says “if we win because we are winners, when we lose we must become losers”. I know that mental exercise makes the brain smarter, in the same way that exercise makes an athlete stronger and faster. A growth mindset is something I know I can do