Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
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In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck describes fixed and growth mindsets and how each can have a profound impact on how we strive to reach our goals from childhood through adulthood. Dweck shares a significant amount of fascinating research that supports the idea that intelligence and talent are not fixed traits, but can be grown with perseverance and practice. Helpful tips for how to adopt and maintain a growth mindset as well as foster it in others are given. Dweck clearly illustrates the impact of each mindset with inspiring, true success and failure stories of some of the greatest sports, education, and business icons of our times.
Here’s what you’ll learn about in this summary:
- Why mindset matters
- The profound differences between growth and fixed mindsets (and how they drive behavior)
- The power of the growth mindset
- How to cultivate a “growth mindset” to become more successful in life—both personally and professionally
- And much, much more…
Tweetable Summary
Your capabilities are not fixed. You can advance in every area of your life if you’re willing to work hard and grow.
Crucial Quote
“Although people may differ in every which way – in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests, or temperaments – everyone can change and grow through application and experience.”
BIG IDEAS
- YOU CAN ALWAYS GROW.
- FIXED MINDSET VS GROWTH MINDSET.
- FIXED MIND-SETTERS VIEW EFFORT AS NEGATIVE.
- EARLY ACHIEVEMENT (OR LACK THEREOF) IS A POOR INDICATOR OF WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR A PERSON.
- THE GROWTH MINDSET BUILDS CHARACTER—A KEY COMPONENT TO SUCCESS.
- THE GROWTH MINDSET IS ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESS LEADERS TO HAVE SUCCESS.
- THE GROWTH MINDSET IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT FOR ANY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.
- MINDSETS DEVELOP FROM CHILDHOOD, OFTEN AS A RESULT OF THE MESSAGES WE RECEIVE FROM OUR PARENTS.
- THE GREATEST TEACHERS AND COACHES PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH HIGH STANDARDS AND A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO ACHIEVE THEM.
- THE GROWTH MINDSET IS BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN CHANGE.
1. YOU CAN ALWAYS GROW.
“At the same time, scientists are learning that people have more capacity for lifelong learning and brain development than they ever thought.”
The nature versus nurture debate has been going on for a very long time, but recent studies suggest that hereditary and environmental factors work together throughout our lives to make us who we are.
Although people do start out with certain natural strengths, the amount of training, practice, and effort they dedicate to improving their intelligence or skill level can have a major impact on their ability to become experts.
There are two mindsets or ways that people think about themselves and their abilities.
- The fixed mindset is the belief that the intelligence and qualities a person is born with remain the same throughout his or her life. People with the fixed mindset view failure as intolerable and spend much of their time trying to prove to themselves and others how smart and/or talented they are. They do not believe in the power of effort.
- The growth mindset is the belief that with hard work and experience, growth and development occur. This mindset creates a desire to learn. Those with the growth mindset see failure as an opportunity to learn, and they value risk-taking.
The power in recognizing the mindsets lies in the fact that our beliefs lead to our thoughts and actions. Those that believe they are born with the only strengths and talents they will ever have will avoid efforts to grow those strengths and talents.
Those with a growth mindset will make completely different choices. Luckily, if you have a fixed mindset, you can take important steps to change it.
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