This phrase brings many things to mind. The ball drop in Times Square, gatherings with family and friends, and the often dreaded New Years' Resolutions! Right now many people are trying to develop new habits: eat better, exercise more, read more, donate more, reduce unhealthy habits, play less Candy Crush, and hopefully LEARN MORE! How successful a person is with new habits is impacted by several things... one of which is the mindset of the person.
Mindset is a concept that has been developed by several researchers including Carol Dweck from Stanford University. According to Dweck, the way you view your own abilities has a tremendous impact on your success. She says there are two mindsets - fixed mindset and growth mindset.
Fixed mindset is the belief that you are what you are. There is no real change possible. Your brains and your abilities were established at birth by genetics and/or fate. You are either smart or somewhat smart or not smart. You can either dribble the ball well or you can't dribble the ball well. You can either draw like Picasso or you can't draw like Picasso.
Growth mindset is the belief that you can develop yourself. This mindset says that you can improve at things with work and that your potential is unlimited. People with growth mindsets think they can get better at things with practice. I can't draw like Picasso yet, but I can get better every time I work at it.
Individuals with fixed mindsets can be very limited by their belief system. Kids that think they are fixed "smart" are often afraid to try new things (I might fail. I might look dumb. I might disappoint somebody. I won't turn it in because it isn't perfect.) Kids that think they are fixed "not smart" are also less likely to try new things. (It doesn't matter. I won't be able to get it. I'm an idiot. Why bother?)
Individuals with growth mindsets are not limited. When faced with new challenges, they don't opt out. They take on risks. They understand the power of practice and perseverance. (I don't know it yet, but I will. I failed this time but I'll get it next time. It's ok to take a chance and answer the teacher's question because if I'm wrong, at least I'll find out the right answer.)
What is your mindset?
When your work is criticized, how do you respond?
When something gets difficult, what do you do?
When others do better than you are you inspired or do you feel threatened?
Are you frozen in a fixed mindset?
Are you open to growth?
My resolution for this year is to encourage you all to be open to GROWTH.
You can find out more about the power of mindset at the link and graphic below.
Happy New Year!
Miss Nass
Mindset
http://mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/index.html
Mindset graphic from Dweck's work:
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