Mindset: Start making the shift...

We are currently reading Carol Dweck's "Mindset," as part of PBJHS's professional studies book club. The premise of the book states that there are two types of "mindsets" from which we choose in our daily lives. The first is a "fixed" mindset, and the second is a "growth" mindset. Dweck draws upon the examples of many famous business leaders, athletes, and situations from her own life, and consequently the reader is able to relate to many of the topics and situations she discusses in the book. Though the book doesn't specifically target educators, there are many connections and viable relations that can be drawn between the book and education.

With a "fixed" mindset, your intelligence is static, with a "growth" mindset, your intelligence can be developed...

A fixed mindset avoids challenges, while a growth mindset embraces challenges...

A fixed mindset gets defensive or gives up easily, while a growth mindset persists in the face of adversity...

A fixed mindset sees effort as fruitless or worse, while a growth mindset sees effort as a path toward mastery...

A fixed mindset ignores useful negative feedback, while a growth mindset learns from criticism...

A fixed mindset feels threatened by the success of others, while a growth mindset finds lessons and inspiration from the success of others...

A fixed mindset will plateau early and achieve less than their full potential, while a growth mindset will reach ever-higher levels of success...


It can be quite difficult to change one's mindset, but after reading this book I am convinced it needs to be a top priority not only in our professional lives, but also in our personal lives. Dweck challenges us to start making the shift and focus on the growth in our lives, rather than the much easier fixed static of our lives. It is obviously much easier said than done, but anything worth doing requires perseverance and dedication...

I have accepted Dweck's challenge, will you...?

**Please refer to this image for credit and additional ideas on the fixed vs. growth mindset. Mindset Map