Beliefs and mindsets, both the conscious and unconscious ones, are very powerful. Our beliefs and mindsets color our decisions, fuel our behavior, and affect our success.
One of our foundational beliefs is how we view our potential for change and growth.
Fixed vs. growth mindsets
Some people believe that we are stuck with the hand we were dealt at birth. We were given a fixed amount of qualities such as intelligence, creativity, athletic ability, personality, etc. So either they have the talent it takes to succeed in a certain task, or they don’t. They have a Fixed Mindset.
Other people believe that the hand we were dealt at birth is merely the starting point for development. They believe that with effort they can learn and improve in any area of life, because their true potential is unknown, so there is always room for growth. These people have a Growth Mindset.
How the two mindsets lead us down different paths
It may not sound like a big difference, but it is. Because the belief that change is possible—or change is not possible—colors how you approach all of life. If you believe change is possible then it makes sense to have goals of ongoing improvement and attempting to learn things outside your current skill set. However, if you believe change is not possible then you have no incentive to attempt personal growth, and trying things outside your current skill set is threatening rather than appealing.
“As you begin to understand the fixed and growth mindsets, you will see exactly how one thing leads to another—how a belief that your qualities are carved in stone leads to a host of thoughts and actions, and how a belief that your qualities can be cultivated leads to a host of different thought and actions, taking you down an entirely different road.
Carol Dweck in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
This table, adapted from Carol Dweck’s book, illustrates how a fixed mindset and a growth mindset lead to different outcomes.
| Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset |
| My ability is fixed. My identity and success are based on the fixed qualities I already have. | My ability can be developed. My identity and success are based on becoming better than I am now. |
| I avoid challenges because I don’t want to make mistakes. I ‘d rather stick to what I know I’m good at so I know I won’t fail. | I embrace challenges because they help me grow and learn. Making mistakes doesn’t scare me because I know I can change and get better. |
| I quickly give up when faced with obstacles because failing is not acceptable. I prefer to avoid things I’m not good at rather than keep struggling and failing. | I am more persistent when faced with obstacles. Failing just means I need to work harder or try a different strategy. |
| Either I’m naturally good at something, or I’m not. Effort won’t change that fact. Besides, only losers need to put effort into things because they don’t have what it takes. | Effort is the path to success. Talent can and must be developed. |
| Criticism threatens me. I only welcome feedback when it reinforces and affirms my abilities. | Criticism helps me grow. I am more willing to listen to feedback because I can use it to learn and improve. |
| I feel threatened by the success of others, who might make me look bad because they have more talent. There is a finite amount of success and I must protect my share. | I can find inspiration in the success of others. I can learn from their achievements and there is unlimited potential for everyone to succeed. |
Can you see how a growth mindset fosters the kind of attitude that helps people reach their potential while a fixed mindset hinders it?
As Christians we are taught that every life can be transformed. That change is not only possible but necessary in order to become more mature and Christlike. Adopting a growth mindset will help us achieve the new self we are called to become.
How to develop a growth mindset
Everyone sees the world predominantly from one of these two mindsets, but that doesn’t mean we are stuck in one mindset forever.
For one thing, we tend to see some aspects of life with more of a fixed mindset and other areas with more of a growth mindset. We might believe out aptitude for math is fixed, while we believe our ability to develop patience is able to grow.
Secondly, beliefs are thoughts, and thoughts can be changed. You may have been taught that your abilities are fixed, but you don’t have to continue to believe it. You can decide today that you have the potential to learn, grow, and change.
Your mindset won’t magically change overnight, but you can begin to take daily steps toward shifting your mindset toward a belief in growth. The first step is awareness. Hopefully this post has helped you become aware of areas where you have been thinking change wasn’t possible.
The next step is to begin speaking a new truth into every situations where you face a challenge, obstacle, or opportunity. You can begin to take captive those “I cannot change” thoughts and replace them with “I can change” thoughts.
Final thoughts
Isn’t it freeing to know that you can change, and that the people around you can change, too? Positive change isn’t easy, but it is possible.
Do you believe it?
If you know someone who is struggling in this area, please share this post with them.
This is so interesting and detailed! Thank you for sharing
If you find this interesting, I would recommend reading Carol Dweck’s book. she shows how this works in many different aspects of our lives.
Great post! It is amazing how having a growth mindset can completely change how we approach life. It its also really good to know that we can move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I love to learn about strategies that help us move towards positive change. Glad it inspired you.