Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: Why What You Believe About Your Abilities Matters
What do you tell yourself when something gets hard?
If your instinct is to back off and think, “I’m just not good at this,” you’re not alone. But that voice — the one calling it quits before you’ve really begun — may be shaping your potential more than you think.
This is where the concept of mindset comes into play. Psychologist Carol Dweck popularized the terms growth mindset and fixed mindset to describe two very different ways we view our abilities and intelligence. And research shows that your mindset isn’t just a personality trait — it’s a choice, and it can change.
What’s the Difference?
Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Believes abilities are static and unchangeable Believes abilities can be developed with effort Avoids challenges to protect ego Embraces challenges as opportunities to learn Gives up easily Persists in the face of setbacks Views effort as pointless or a sign of low ability Sees effort as the path to mastery Takes criticism personally Learns from feedback Threatened by others’ success Inspired by others’ success.
People with a fixed mindset tend to see failure as a verdict — a reflection of their innate ability. Growth-minded people, on the other hand, see failure as feedback. The difference might sound small, but it changes everything.
Why It Matters
The mindset you adopt influences how you respond to difficulty, how you approach learning, and even how you perform over time. For example, studies in classrooms show that students praised for effort — not just intelligence — are more likely to take on harder tasks and improve their performance. The same principle holds true in relationships, careers, health, and creativity.
When you believe that growth is possible, you're more likely to take action that leads to actual improvement.
You’re Not Stuck With One Mindset
Here’s the good news: Mindsets aren’t fixed. You can practice shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset with small changes in how you talk to yourself.
Instead of saying:
“I’m not good at this,” try: “I’m not good at this yet.”
“This is too hard,” try: “This is hard because I’m learning something new.”
“I failed,” try: “I learned what doesn’t work — now I can try something else.”
Like any habit, this takes consistency. At first, it might feel unnatural. That’s okay. Catching a fixed mindset thought and rephrasing it is a win. Over time, this rewires how you respond to challenge and change.
One Step at a Time
You don’t need to overhaul your entire way of thinking overnight. Just notice when that old voice shows up — the one that wants to shut things down early — and give it a counterpoint. Growth doesn’t mean constant confidence; it means moving forward even when confidence is shaky.
You’re capable of more than you think. The right mindset won’t do the work for you, but it will make the work worth doing.
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