Carol Dweck (author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success) points out three common misconceptions about a growth mindset:
a) Mistaking a growth mindset as a ‘positive outlook’ that you always have: A growth mindset is more complicated than just saying ‘I am open minded or optimistic’. According to Dweck, everyone possesses, both, a fixed and growth mindset. This combination keeps evolving with experience. An individual could have a fixed mindset in one area of their life and a growth mindset in another. Maybe you believe that you have got no rhythm in your body. So, you avoid any activity or party that involves dancing. You believe people are born with a natural grace and flexibility that you do not have. On the contrary you feel confident about your language skills, so you look for opportunities that involve writing e.g., writing a project, creative writing or
writing blogs. You believe that it is a skill that can be developed with practice. Therefore, you view people’s feedback constructively and learn from it. This inspires you to continue improving your language.
b) A growth mindset is just about praising and rewarding effort: While effort is important, one must not lose sight of the outcome. Effort that does not yield results is a waste of time, energy and resources. It should not be rewarded. On the other hand, learning, growth and progress must be acknowledged and praised. This includes rewarding processes that contribute to this progress e.g., reaching out for help when one is stuck, generating alternative strategies to solve a problem, and learning from setbacks to move ahead. For example,
telling a student, “Great effort! You tried your best!” to make them feel good momentarily even though they did not succeed does not facilitate growth. Appreciating their work but also encouraging them to look for new strategies does. For example, telling a student, “You’re working hard! Now let’s look at what you’ve tried, and what you can try next.”
c) Just espouse a growth mindset, and good things will happen: Practicing a growth mindset is helpful but not enough for success. It needs to be backed by effort in the right direction. In other words, positive thinking is not enough. It must be complemented with effective action in a meaningful direction (Dweck, 2016).
The capacity of the brain (and mind) to grow is now supported by neurobiological evidence. Years of research in neuroscience has led to the finding that our brain is like a muscle. The more we use a muscle the stronger
it becomes. Similarly, the more we use our brain, the more neuronal connections are formed. This leads to our brain literally ‘growing’. Correspondingly, this results in the growth of our mind – new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
