Mindsets

While in Walla Walla, I was required to read a book for my training and it was really interesting to me. It was called Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck. Basically it showed how people have different way of thinking about life. Fixed mindset people believe that potential is limited. They see failure and struggles as a reflection of their character. If you make a bad choice, you are a bad person. They don't take critizism very well because they get defensive. They think that talent is something you are born with or without. If a child is told Hey you are so smart, you got an A and you didn't even have to study for that test. They wont want to work at learning because that would be admitting that they are in fact not smart. The emphasis is on the outcome, not the process.

The other way was what she called growth mindset. They see failures and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. They see it as a chance to figure something out. These people don't feel threatened by others that do well, and they are honest with themselves that when they don't win or aren't number one, they can say well that person prepared more than me. They are then able to look at it objectively and make a plan to prepare better or increase skills. This book gave lots of examples of people in many professions and looked at their success or lack of it due to their mindset or outlook on life and their relationship to other people.

I think that in different aspects of our lives we may be one or the other. The thing about it is that you can change from one to the other. It was a very interesting book that really relates to everything, raising kids, teaching, relationships with spouses, business. I would recommend it to anyone.