Is a Fixed Mindset Holding You Back?

Updated July 30, 2021

We are creatures of habit. We carefully construct rules and routines around us to feel safe and secure. But as we create a sense of order, we inadvertently put roadblocks in our way without even realising it.

In business, we are frequently told that stepping outside our comfort zone, the one we worked so hard to build, is good. We are told that we should adopt a growth mindset over a fixed mindset.

It sounds great on paper but can be scary to put into practice. This is especially true when the concept is not fully understood or truly embraced, by ourselves or those around us.

Beware the ‘false’ growth mindset

Let’s start by quickly casting aside any misconceptions you may already have about what a growth mindset is. Since the phrase was coined by psychologist Dr Carol Dweck in her ground-breaking book Mindset, the concept has been widely embraced.

With its widespread popularity, the core message has become muddied. Dwerk explains this phenomenon as a ‘false’ growth mindset.

“False growth mindset is saying you have growth mindset when you don't really have it or you don’t really understand [what it is].”
Carol Dweck

For example, a growth mindset is not about praising effort for the sake of it. Instead, effort needs to be linked to the learning journey.

It is also not a concept that can just be paid lip service. It is not enough to simply say you have a growth mindset without taking just a little bit of time to understand what it really means.

Dweck goes on to explain that no one has a growth mindset in all areas of our lives, all the time. We are a mix of the two and maybe better in some areas than others. 

Fixed mindset vs growth mindset

With that warning in mind (pardon the pun), a growth mindset is the belief that the ability to learn is limitless whereas a fixed mindset is a belief that our learning potential is capped. Which one do you like the sound of better? 

With a fixed mindset, you may try something once. Fail. And not bother trying again. Compare this to a growth mindset where you accept that you may not be successful the first time you try something. Or even the second, third or fourth. But if you keep at it, you will steadily improve.

Practise is progress.

Are you a victim of your success?

This may sound counterintuitive, but let’s stop to think about it for a moment. Has your career stalled? Do you feel as if you have reached a roadblock?

When you first started, you probably asked questions. Lots of them. At some point on your career path, as your competence grew, you became the person other people turned to when they needed advice.

You worked hard to get where you are. You know all the answers. But now what? This is where adopting a growth mindset can help you feel fulfilled both in and out of work.

Here are five simple strategies you can consider implementing to move away from a rigidly fixed mindset to cultivate a growth mindset.

1. Identify your triggers: Keep a log of your typical workweek to spot areas where you fall into a predictable pattern. Perhaps you struggle when confronted by criticism or are you scared of trying new things for fear of failing?
   

2. Anticipate your triggers in advance: Now you know what your triggers are, when they next crop up, try a new tack. Start by experimenting with low-risk opportunities. As you gain confidence, step up your game.

3. Reflect on your progress: When you have tried something new, look back on what went well and consider what could be improved upon in future. Having a growth mindset isn’t a one-trick pony. It is a continual process. Reward yourself for the effort and outcome. And look to the future for what you can work on next.
   

4. Champion a growth mindset: Others may be taken aback by your new approach. They may attempt to pull you back into old habits. Resist by being prepared for such a situation. For example, when others ask you how best to fix an issue, ask if they have any ideas first. After a while, they will grow used to being asked for their input and come to you with solutions for your feedback instead of just problems for you to solve.

5. Practise active listening: Our brains are always working overtime, so it is hard to be in the moment. We must quiet our inner monologue (the one that is thinking about what to say next or wondering what to have for dinner) so when our friends and colleagues talk to us, we truly hear what they are trying to tell us. They will feel valued having your full attention which will lead to deeper, more meaningful and productive relationships. Who knows what new doors this will open?

A rewarding aspect of being a career coach is that ‘a-ha moment’ when a student realises, they can grow and reach new heights that they may have been afraid to dream of before. That many of the constraints are of their own making, and even when they are not, that there can often be ways around what seems like impossible barriers… the key is to have an open mindset and the willingness to make a choice and pivot.

I would love to hear how embracing a growth mindset has benefitted you – just reach out on Linkedin.

If you would like more guidance on taking the next step on your career path, you can sign up for my free email course – there are no strings attached but you’ll have to be ready to knock down some of those pesky roadblocks!

References

Dr Carol S. Dweck, Mindset – Updated Edition: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential, (London: Little, Brown Book Group, 2017).

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