Fixed Mindset VS Growth Mindset

In the image above ... the Fixed Mindset says, " I know everything". .. anything they don't know ... they don't care. The Growth Mindset on the other hand says:  "I don't know enough"... so anything  they don't know... they will try their best to discover it."

A FIXED MINDSET means that the person believes that intelligence and talent exist, belong...  & pre-determined by factors present in an individual at birth. If you are an Eistein ... you believe that intelligence will be carried over and will sail you through ... for the rest of your life. In the same vein ... if you are not that intelligent ... that is only how far you will go. If you are not good at writing ... no matter what you do ... you will still be the same half-baked cock-eyed dreamer wanting a place in the sun ... in journalism.

People with fixed mindsets don't see life, circumstances, or themselves as fluid and capable of change. For example, they believe that intellectual and mental capacities ... expertise, and competence are qualities you either have or don't have. 

In contrast, another group of people at the other end of the spectrum (GROWTH MINDSET) means they believe intelligence and talent can be developed with ceaseless repetition, patience ... determination, and constant practice.

I tend to believe I belong in this group. As a student before... in my internship, as I was gradually exposed to the nitty-gritty demands of my profession ... I almost gave up ... because I could not stomach inserting a nasogastric tube in the patient's nares ... I felt I was like a wicked buffoon terrorizing my patient with a lot of heartless pokes. I realized with constant practice ... a little confidence ... and a desire to help the patient ... there was a time in my career when patients were looking for me ... I made a name for myself.... a title that they chose me  to be doing this invasive procedure on them.

Going back to someone with a growth mindset ,,, this group views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort and time. On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset views those same traits as inherent, incapable of change ... and permanent. 

A fixed mindset is termed inexorable - these people are stubborn and hard-headed ... and will not succumb to change their minds no matter what. They are highly resistant to change ... and hate being convinced to change direction. 

A fixed mindset is a self-perpetuating restraint that handcuffs a person from achieving their full potential. A fixed mindset prevents individuals from developing skills, knowledge, and abilities to the extent they can. Believing that abilities and intelligence are fixed traits, leads to the resistance of challenges and their fear of failure.

This mindset can derail and limit personal growth and shackle his ability to realize what he can achieve to its full extent. They easily give up and retreat without giving a good fight, abhor stumbling blocks and impediments, and avoid threats and ultimatums. They also bury their heads in the sand rather than listen to criticisms ... and whatever small successes one has achieved ... is very intimidating to them.

Students in a school with a fixed mindset may think his scholastic hurdles are proof of their inherent incapability.  They often back off ... and the lack of incentive and motivation disintegrate ... resulting in dismal academic output. They also shy away from challenges, fearing failure may reflect their intelligence.

Why am I discussing and sharing this with you?

Our mindset, or mental attitude and disposition, significantly impacts how our lives are shaped and how successful and fulfilled we feel.

If there are things we need to perfect ... need to study more ... then let us give ourselves the chance to grow and conquer. Give ourselves a tap on the shoulder for having the drive to continue and search ... and experiment.

The term "mindset" describes the underlying attitudes, ideas, and presumptions we have about the world, other people, and ourselves. Having a fixed mindset and the desire to stop in the middle of the game will cripple us ... and tie us down ... and we are left wondering the "what ifs".