Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?

I have recently been reading the book “Mindset” By Dr Carol Dweck. The book is phenomenal and I would highly recommend it. The book is really focused on the principles that we all have either a fixed or a growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe that their intelligence is fixed and cannot be changed. They often blame others and circumstances for their lack of progression or failures. They focus on winning at all costs and place value on external praise and recognition.

By contrast, those with a growth mindset recognise that their intelligence can be improved by continued learning. That mistakes and failures are opportunities for learning. They focus on the journey not just the end point. Progression is seen as a win as opposed to simply external recognition.

The book had me considering whether I had either a fixed or growth mindset. I concluded, that whilst I primarily have a growth mindset, I do have elements of a fixed mindset. I recognised that sometimes I hold back from pursuing specific things if I think I may fail. I don’t do this all the time, but enough that I can see how it has prevented me from truly fulfilling my potential. I like to win and to be the best at all that I do. I have really started to deeply reflect on why this is the case and how I can change it. I still want to win, but maybe I can focus a little bit more on the journey.

When considering the elements of the growth mindset that I possess that has helped me to be successful, the primary area is my belief that I can achieve anything. My belief in myself to be able to learn that which I do not know. I don’t really consider that I can’t do something. If I have a deficit, I make the decision to overcome it by asking for help, by expanding my knowledge and reading. Additionally, I love learning. One of my favourite things to do is to read and to study. I have three degrees because of this. My thirst for learning has instilled a specific level of confidence in my capabilities.

Whilst the book has led me to self-reflect, it has also made me consider which of my clients have a growth mindset versus those with a fixed mindset. Whilst running a Vision:20 session recently, an attendee asked me what was the difference between my clients that thrived and those that failed. The answer is Mindset. My most successful clients are those with a growth mindset and my least successful clients are those with a fixed mindset.

The clients with a fixed mindset don’t believe they have what it takes to succeed. They constantly doubt their abilities but don’t do what needs to be done to improve their abilities. Yes, they hire me to assist, but they do not implement the recommendations. They make excuses and blame other people for their lack of progression. They know what they need to do but they are crippled by fear. So instead of doing the hard thing which may not be successful so they can learn, they pick the easy things which they can guarantee they are able to do. These things do not move them or their business forward. These people say that the successful people are lucky. They resent those people, when really they should resent themselves for lack of commitment.

Like me, the successful clients believe in their capabilities and have confidence that they will achieve success. They pivot when they hit obstacles and don’t let setbacks stop them. They learn the lessons and implement them to move forward. However, when I really reflected, the most significant factor that I recognised amongst the successful clients, is their sense of purpose and their why. Their mindset is that they have to achieve, they have to keep learning and they cannot give up because they have a purpose to fulfil. Whether that purpose has been ordained by God, the birth of their children or their internal desire to create a specific lifestyle, they cannot quit. Those with the growth mindset, know that thinking alone, won’t get them to their goals. They take action continually even when they don’t feel like it.

So I ask you. Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Your answer may be the reason your businesses is stagnating, or thriving. Your recognition of the answer will determine if you and your business flourish in the future or doesn’t. The decision is yours.