MINDSET A definition MINDSET A definition Mindset can

MINDSET A definition

MINDSET A definition Mindset can be defined as: The established set of attitudes held by someone: Or, with more complexity: “…a mindset is a set of assumptions, methods, or notations held by one or more people or groups of people that is so established that it creates a powerful incentive within these people or groups to continue to adopt or accept prior behaviors, choices, or tools. ”

MINDSET A definition Dr Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset: How you can fulfill you potential explores the concept of people falling into one of two mindset categories – a fixed or growth mindset. She suggests that those with a fixed mindset believe that their qualities and traits – intelligence, personality, and character - are carved in stone and cannot be changed or improved. This creates in people a need to prove themselves to be a certain way over and above everything else. That to look average in these areas of yourself is not acceptable. Those with the growth mindset believe that the qualities and traits you are born with are just the starting point can be improved over time with hard work and effort. That everyone can change and grow with focus and experience. Believing that this change is possible creates a passion for learning overtime that can lead to far greater achievements than simple being told at a young age that you are ‘the smart one’ and that is where it starts and end.

MINDSET A definition Rest assured though it is possible to change. I am testament to this myself. In the last few years I have learnt a lot about myself and that includes more and more about my mindset and about how I have been responsible for so many things I used to blame others for. My pathway through education is a big example of this for me and I don't mind sharing it here with you now. I've often wondered why, when I was such a smart young girl and started my secondary school with straight A's in Year 7, I never went on to excel at school. Even when I was lucky enough to be at a great school why didn't I do so much better? Was it because I changed schools so often? Was it the teenage years? Should my parents have been stricter on me? Was it the product of having divorced parents somehow? Why, even when I left school and after a year finally landed on marketing as my thing, did I still flounder and not really commit? Why did it take me actually working full time for me to move beyond my Diploma and get my Degree, and then when my work was even more demanding to go on and get my MBA? these things earlier in life. When it would have been so much easier for me to do it? ! Why didn't I achieve

MINDSET A definition What changed? I was still the same person, but the biggest and most important shift happened for me. I changed my mind. With age and life experience came the self-belief and the positive mindset I needed to reach my potential (I won't say 'full' potential because I believe I still have a hell of a lot more to offer this life). I moved from an often fixed mindset to a growth mindset. And thank God or the Universe or whatever it may be, that change happened for me! I won't go into the moments in my life that took me down this path but it was in these moments, dramatic and devastating at the time that I chose not to be a victim and to take back belief in me and take control of my choices and invite the good stuff in. And it wasn't easy. It was never easy. But the alternative was just not an option. More disappointment, more average, more blame. It would have got me nowhere. I bet, if you really thought about it, you might be able to find a story of your own now that you have read this where you have clearly demonstrated your own mindset – either fixed or growth – at some stage in your life.