Life is about being and becoming, not having, and getting.
-Stephanie Seabrook Hedgepath
I love Carol Dweck’s work on fixed and growth mindset. Think about areas in your own life as a mom where a fixed mindset tends to be more dominant versus when you can usually stay within a growth mindset.
The following are some things I learned from Carol Dweck’s work regarding fixed and growth mindsets.
Fixed mindset traits may include:
- Black and white thinking patterns
- Negative thoughts
- Innate traits you’re born with (you’re either born smart or born dumb)
- Ignoring criticism and feedback from others
- Being externally motivated
- Feeling like a failure when life doesn’t go your way
- Feeling limited
- Avoiding challenges
- Pessimism
- Being performance-based
What would you add to this list?
Growth mindset traits may include:
- Flexible thinking patterns
- Positive thoughts
- Being effort based
- Accepting of criticism and feedback from others as a way to improve yourself
- Being internally motivated
- Learning from your own failures as well as other people’s failures
- Feeling free
- Embracing challenges and persevering
- Optimism
- Being learning based
What would you add to this list?
So, would you say you tend to be more fixed minded or growth-minded in your own life?
Here are some ways to move from a fixed mindset into a growth mindset:
- Notice and observe when and where each mindset shows up in your life
- Seek therapy to work on what’s going on at a deeper level for you
- Focus on self-care and being the best version of yourself from the inside out
- Acknowledge and name your fixed mindset
- Challenge yourself in life
- Find a mentor who has a growth mindset who you can learn from
- Set achievable goals for yourself
- Focus on things in your life that you’re passionate about and deeply care for
- Come from a place of gratitude and feeling thankful for all you have in life
- Create new habits and celebrate your successes, both big and small
What else would you add here?
On this journey to change your mindset in positive ways, be sure to watch out for times when you’re comparing your start here to someone else’s middle or endpoint. Remember, we all have to start somewhere, and you’re taking an important first step in your own personal journey. Know that mindset changes can have a positive impact not only on you, but also your relationship with your partner, your relationship with your kids, and beyond!
