Mindset – By Dr. Carol Dweck
I really like the book and most of all I really appreciate the concept, which is: “talent isn’t what makes people successful it’s their mindset”. Dr. Dweck talks about the qualities of a “Fixed Mindset which she describes as: “Believing that your ability to succeed is limited if you are not naturally the best or the smartest.” Someone with a fixed mindset believes that every failure determines your lack of success in the future.
In contrast to a fixed mindset Dr. Dweck talks about the qualities of a “Growth Mindset” and that you can increase your abilities through learning and experience. Having a mindset that failures are only failures if you don’t learn from them, is a way setting the stage for success.
It is important to surround yourself with people who think about what is possible, rather than looking for reasons not to try something. We are social animals and are strongly influenced by those around us it, is important that we recognize that reality and make it work for us.
Dweck talks about how geniuses like Tolstoy and Darwin were considered average as children and went on to become giant’s in their field.
Being successful in both our personal life is something that is available to all of us, it’s not easy but it can be done if you have a “Growth Mindset.
For more information you can go to: http://mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/index.html
You can go on to Dr. D’s site and test to see if your “Mindsite” is a growth one.
In my next blog I will talk about the elements that I think are important in having a “Growth Mindset”