Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: Which One Are You Really Using?

Do you believe people can change and grow—or that we’re all stuck with the traits we’re born with? The answer to that question could reveal more about your life than you think.

In today’s fast-paced world, success doesn’t just depend on talent or intelligence. It hinges on how you think about talent and intelligence. That’s where the concepts of growth mindset and fixed mindset come in—two psychological frameworks that influence everything from your work performance to your relationships and personal development.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset, a term coined by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning, and persistence.

• Skills can improve with practice
• Failure is an opportunity to learn
• Effort is part of mastery
• Feedback is useful and constructive
• Challenges are essential for growth

Common Growth Mindset Behaviors

• Trying new approaches when something doesn’t work
• Asking for feedback and applying it
• Viewing criticism as guidance
• Celebrating others’ success as inspiration
• Saying things like: “I can’t do it yet,” or “Mistakes help me improve.”

What Is a Fixed Mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are innate and unchangeable.

• You’re either good at something or not
• Effort doesn’t matter much—if you have to try, you’re not naturally talented
• Failure is proof that you’re not good enough
• Feedback feels like a personal attack
• Challenges are to be avoided

Common Fixed Mindset Behaviors

• Giving up easily when things get hard
• Avoiding tasks that seem risky or unfamiliar
• Blaming others or circumstances for failure
• Feeling threatened by others’ success
• Saying things like: “I’m just not a math person,” or “That’s not my strength.”

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Growth Mindset	Fixed Mindset
View of Ability	Can be developed	Set in stone
Response to Failure	Opportunity to grow	Personal flaw or defeat
Effort	A path to mastery	A sign of lack of ability
Challenges	Embraced and pursued	Avoided and feared
Feedback	Welcomed as guidance	Taken personally or ignored
Success of Others	Inspiring	Threatening or discouraging

Why It Matters (In Real Life)

At Work

• Growth mindset: You’re more likely to take on new projects, learn new tools, and bounce back from failure.
• Fixed mindset: You might avoid leadership opportunities or feel stuck in your role.

In School or Learning

• Growth mindset: Students achieve more academically over time, even if they struggle at first.
• Fixed mindset: Students may cheat, avoid hard subjects, or give up easily.

In Relationships

• Growth mindset: You believe people (including yourself) can change, which makes conflict easier to navigate.
• Fixed mindset: You may label others quickly and expect people never to change.

How to Identify Your Current Mindset

1. How do I react to failure?
2. Do I avoid tasks I might not be good at?
3. How do I respond to feedback?
4. Do I feel threatened by someone else’s success?
5. Do I believe effort leads to improvement?

Can You Change Your Mindset?

Yes—absolutely. Your mindset is not fixed (pun intended). You can cultivate a growth mindset with practice.

How to Shift from Fixed to Growth Mindset

1. Recognize fixed mindset triggers
   Notice when you’re thinking, “I’m just not good at this” or “I’ll never learn this.”
2. Use the power of “yet”
   Say: “I can’t do this… yet.” It opens the door to learning.
3. Reframe failure as feedback
   Instead of thinking, “I failed,” try “What can I learn from this?”
4. Celebrate progress over perfection
   Focus on how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go.
5. Surround yourself with growth-minded people
   Seek mentors, coworkers, or friends who encourage learning and resilience.
6. Practice self-compassion
   Growth doesn’t mean constant success. Give yourself permission to be a work in progress.

Real-World Example: The Case of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, one of the greatest athletes of all time, was famously cut from his high school basketball team. Rather than seeing it as proof that he wasn’t talented, he used it as motivation to improve.

Jordan’s story reflects the power of a growth mindset: setbacks became fuel for practice, and effort was the key to greatness.

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to have a growth mindset in one area and fixed in another?
A: Yes. You might embrace growth at work but feel stuck when it comes to relationships or fitness. Mindsets can vary by context.

Q: Can kids be taught to have a growth mindset?
A: Definitely. Parents and teachers can reinforce effort, learning, and resilience instead of just praising talent or intelligence.

Q: Are there any downsides to a growth mindset?
A: While it’s mostly positive, overemphasizing growth without boundaries can lead to burnout. Balance is key.

Q: How long does it take to shift to a growth mindset?
A: There’s no fixed timeline. With consistent awareness and practice, changes can start happening within weeks.

Q: What’s a quick phrase to trigger growth mindset thinking?
A: Try: “What can I learn from this?” or “How can I grow from this challenge?”

Conclusion

So—which mindset are you really using?

If you often feel stuck, afraid of failure, or threatened by others’ success, you might be leaning into a fixed mindset. But the good news is that your mindset itself can change.

Cultivating a growth mindset isn’t about being endlessly positive—it’s about believing in your capacity to learn, evolve, and bounce back. It’s not magic. It’s a choice. And that choice can reshape the way you live, work, and grow.

Start today. When you face your next challenge, pause and ask:
“Am I seeing this with a fixed or growth mindset?”
The answer might just unlock