The meaning of MINDSET is a mental attitude or inclination. A story in the first book of the Bible talks about the power of the mind to determine outstanding success in the statement ”…and nothing they propose to do will now be impossible for them…(Genesis 11:6b)”. Jesus goes further to teach that ”as a man thinks in his heart, so is he”; referencing the position of Proverbs 23:9.
That NASA’s criterion for selecting potential Systems Engineers following a psychological trait that appear to be common to successful people namely, Growth Mindset, is therefore not surprising.
Carol Dweck, it was who coined the term Growth Mindset. People with this mindset believe that anyone can nurture their abilities in anything or field whether as it relates to intelligence or skill.
An alternate or inverse mindset is one that holds that intelligence and skill are innate, fixed from birth, making no room for change. This is the Fixed Mindset.
The practical reality of life is that all of us are a mixture of both mindsets. In some areas of our lives we operate a fixed mindset while in others we operate a growth mindset. Some people are adept at using one mindset therefore, than others. Or, it would appear, settling down in one mindset more than the alternate one. This is a great way of looking at life and, therefore, improving the probability of our success.
WHY THIS KEY?
Like shown earlier, research seems to suggest that people with the growth mindset are more successful than people with fixed mindset. For instance, students with fixed mindset were four times more likely to score in the bottom 20% while those with a growth mindset were three times more likely to score in the top 20% of the same test, in one study.
People with a growth mindset prioritize growing over stagnation. They are more resilient and prioritize learning over failure and this allows them to overcome challenging and difficult situations and minimizes the fear to take risks.
Contrariwise, people with a fixed mindset are reluctant to challenge themselves because of their belief that talent and intelligence are fixed. They look at failure as an assault on who they are as a person. They approach failure as an indicator of stupidity. Failure once means failure always, to them. The person with a growth mindset believes that he is always in a state of flux and transformation; so he doesn’t attach his identity with his results.
A more realistic view of life will align with the need to nurture the growth mindset. It helps us to overcome obstacles and negotiate all the bends that occur in the course of living. The neurotransmitter substances in the brain mobilize in the direction of your deliberate effort.
At any point in the course of our lives, we realize this phenomenal truth is when to take the turn of our lives and approach the growth mindset. The import of this realization is what can be the driver needed for the transformation of our lives. The day a man realizes that he is not designed a prisoner, he seeks freedom and mobilizes every resource to achieve it. However, if he lingers in reluctance and doubt, he may die in captivity even in when he has no manacles and the prison doors are wide open. Remember what lessons we have from an elephant being restrained with a rope tied to its leg. It is because the elephant can be taught a fixed mindset from babyhood!
Some employee needs to change his mindset in order to achieve his potential of being a great employer. Yet some employer can only grow to achieve his potential by changing his mindset about his inventory, the size of business he can do, the size of balances that can be in his account. It is understood that cultural stereotypes tend to reinforce certain tendencies but an objective understanding of the subject creates an impetus for change.
Neuroscience shows that our brains are not fixed but malleable. Gray matter in the brain does, in fact, grow as problems are encountered and solved. On the contrary when the brain avoids solving engaging tasks, there is reduction in brain mass rather than an increase. You could say the brain behaves like a muscle – grows bigger with exercises. The growth mindset provides this environment for growth of the brain. This is also what equips the individual to deal with and overcome problems even of disaster proportions.
For the individual that owns up to the change of mindset, it becomes helpful to use tools that will help in the journey. First, is to determine to have a mindset shift. Next, is to set targets. Cut the target into small, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound (smart) bits. Seek the support and guidance of more knowledgeable persons. Constantly re-asses results and reset goals.
For those that support the process, success should be spoken of in process terms rather than in personality terms. That means that a student that passes an exam should not be praised for being smart(innate quality) but for studying(effort) very well. The reinforcement is helpful for nurturing the proper mindset.
WAY FORWARD
A young man went for an interview and was asked by the prospective employer a very simple question. The question was ”what can you do?” That question changed his entire life. Life, like the employer, is interested in what you can do, not the excuses you can give.
At what stage in your life are you at this time and what is it you need to change? You may need a mindset shift. Your success in whatever sphere it is may be irrevocably linked to a change in mindset. Can you do it? Can you do it now?
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