“We are not chained to our capabilities” marks one of my all-time favorite quotes by Eduardo Briceno, a growth mindset keynote speaker and the co-founder and CEO of Mindsetworks. I like this quote so much that it inspired me to write an article on the importance of having the right mindset when it comes to success, and how to instill it in our children. Success is a complex concept that means different things to different people and which changes over time.
Over time, people can learn to apply their inherent skills and abilities in innovative ways that lead to the outcome(s) they desire. When we recognize the kind of mindset we are in when striving towards a goal or milestone, we can maximize those outcomes while feeling better about what we do and why. According to Briceno (2012), there are two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is a mindset where you try to avoid challenges or anything that may jeopardize your [cap]abilities. Should an obstacle throw itself in your path, you give up and move on to something else. Constructive criticism or negative (yet helpful) feedback is ignored for the sake of ego preservation, and the success of others poses a threat to you.
A growth mindset is characterized by a desire to learn and grow and embrace any challenges that arise along the way. Effort and persistence in the face of a setback are important pieces of the puzzle that makes up the path to mastery. Criticism offers new perspectives and resources to build on inherent skill sets, and the success of others acts as an uplifting and inspirational force.
You may recognize some of these traits in your own approach towards goals and ambitions. However, mindsets can change. They are not fixed (yes not even the fixed mindset is fixed). There are valuable resources available to teach us how we can improve our mindset and those of our children. I suggest checking out Briceno’s website Mindsetworks.com (see references for link). The parenting sections have proven useful for me as I try to navigate parenthood with a lively yet highly sensitive 5-year-old boy.
In teaching our children about the tools that are available to them, and helping them achieve a state of flourishing, we might learn something about ourselves that hadn’t revealed itself before. For example, I am always positively surprised at my son’s readiness to problem-solve and engage when the problem is presented in a positive light. Language is also a key factor in setting our kids up for success (whatever that may look like for them). For example, using words that focus on the effort your child has put forth towards mastering a skill will prove more effective than praising them for how smart they are.
A growth mindset revolves around the idea that we are all capable of doing extraordinary things, regardless of our inherent abilities and the skill sets we acquire along the way. Those are the props we use to set a goal in motion — but the secret ingredient, the special sauce, that’s the belief that we can do anything if we put our mind to it!
It is never too late to adopt a fresh mindset.
~ Dr. C.
References
Briceno, E. (2012, October). The power of belief: Mindset and success [Video file]. Retrieved from https://ed.ted.com/on/aVMPCOpr
Mindsetworks (2017). How Parents Can Instill a Growth Mindset at Home. Retrieved from https://www.mindsetworks.com/parents/growth-mindset-parenting
“Two Mindsets” infographic. Nigel Holmes Gallery, by N. Holmes, 2006, http://www.nigelholmes.com/gallery/. Copyright 2006 by Nigel Holmes.