Mindset is a very important part of developing ourselves and achieving our goals. There are two main types of mindsets: Fixed Mindsets and Growth Mindsets. A fixed mindset keeps us from reaching our full potential, while a growth mindset gives us the tools to do so.
Someone with a fixed mindset thinks that their skills, talents, and intelligence are fixed and can’t change much. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid difficulties, be lazy, and feel threatened by the success of others. They see mistakes as proof of how bad they are, not as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Imagine that there is an executive named Kamal who has always been praised for being good at decision making. Kamal is afraid to take harder decision because he thinks that if he fails, it will show that he is not good at decision making. This fear makes him inactive and his other colleagues often see him as a dead horse in the workplace.
How to overcome Fixed Mindset:
Accept Challenges: Instead of trying to avoid problems, actively look for them. Problems are chances to learn and grow. Approach them with the idea that you can get better if you work hard and keep going.
Think of Effort as the Way to best: believe that the way to become your best version is possible only through effort. Putting in effort doesn’t mean you’re not good enough; it shows that you’re determined and want to get better.
Learn from Mistakes: Instead of being afraid of loss, look at it as a step toward success. Look at your mistakes, learn from them, and use what you’ve learned in your future projects.
Replace Negative Self-Talk: Challenge and get rid of negative thoughts that keep you stuck in a certain way of thinking. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at this,” say, “I’m not good at this yet, but with practice, I can get better.”
Celebrate Effort and Progress: Instead of focusing on the results, pay attention to the work you do and the progress you make. Celebrate your trip, no matter what happens right away.
Ask for Feedback: Be willing to hear helpful criticism from others. Feedback shows you what you’re doing well and what you could do better, which helps you grow.
Stay connected with positive people: Study people who have had success by having a growth attitude and being open to new ideas. Their journeys can make you want to follow in their footsteps.
Focus on Work not the result: People with a fixed mindset tend to focus on the results of their actions, like getting a promotion or salary increment. People with a growth mindset focus on how they can learn and get better. Even if they don’t always get what they want, they are more interested in learning new things and getting better at what they do.
Find a mentor who has a growth attitude: Try to find someone who can help you build a growth mindset. They can give you support and motivation and help generate questions and challenge your preset learning and believe.
Getting rid of a fixed mindset is a life-changing journey that takes self-awareness, effort, and learning all the time. We can break free from the limits we put on ourselves by shifting our focus to growth and accepting challenges. Remember that developing yourself is something you do for the rest of your life, and that having a growth attitude is the key to reaching your full potential.
So, the next time you face a challenge, know that you have the power to overcome it and become a better version of yourself if you have a growth mindset. Accept change, and you’ll see how well you do.
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Author: K M Hasan Ripon, Director, Global Entrepreneurship Network