August 29, 2010

Fixed or Growth Mindsets

I was reading a book the other day which discussed two types of mindsets. One fixed and one growth. Research indicates that children that were told that they were genius, or had a special gift or talent in a certain area were less likely to try something new in those areas. In order to maintain “perfection”, they stayed with what they knew. Those that were told that they could accomplish anything with hard work saw new areas of study, life, etc. as a challenge and interesting.

How much of our life is fixed? Michael Jordan was not picked for the basketball team in High School. So he practiced practiced and practiced some more. Even after he made the team, he went over and above standard practice times and would tenaciously repeat a shot he may have struggled with. Seems so have paid off.

Nyla Lengacher