Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset: Which is better?
Last Updated on June 20, 2022
Mindset is what makes us different from one another. If you closely observe some talented and successful beings, you will notice that they reached those heights not just because of their hard work but also their mindset.
There are two types of mindset in this world: Fixed mindset and Growth mindset.
But do you know which one of these mindsets is better? No?
Don’t worry; in this article, I will tell the core differences between the two mindsets, fixed vs growth. We will also learn which one is better and why having a proper mindset can grow in life.
Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset
To understand the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, it is important to know what fixed and growth mindset actually are.
What is Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is where you decide you can learn and become anything you want to. A person with a growth mindset perceives problems as an opportunity to learn and interesting challenges. With a growth mindset, people believe that new skills can be developed through learning and perceives life as a possibility.
The idea of a growth mindset is guided by Stanford professor and best selling author Carol Dweck.
People with a growth mindset tend to accept new challenges without bothering about success and failure. They always believe that every challenge in life gives you a lesson.
What is a Fixed Mindset?
A fixed mindset is where you believe you are good or not good at something and no amount of hard work can build your talent because talented people are born and not made. With a fixed mindset, people believe that they have a particular skill and talent, which are fixed, and you cannot build more skills in your life.
With a fixed mindset, people feel not to waste time making efforts to build, learn new things and live life with a certain amount of talent which they already possess. They often tend to avoid challenges with the fear of failure.
Difference Between Fixed and Growth Mindset
| Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset |
|---|---|
| Avoids Problems and challenges often out of fear to fail | Embraces problems as opportunities to learn |
| Believes the essential qualities like intelligence or talents are fixed traits | Believe that new abilities can be developed through practice |
| Feels that receiving feedback is negative | Believes that receiving feedback is positive |
| It prevents you from acquiring new skills or abilities that would bring a feeling of fulfilment and happiness to your life | It develops the belief that your talents can be developed through hard work, learning, and feedback |
| If you make mistakes, you view them as a hurdle to learning | If you make mistakes along the way, you view them as an aid to learning |
| You stick to what you know | You love to try new things |
| Feels threatened by the success of others | Gets inspired by the success of others |
| Ignores feedbacks | Embraces feedbacks |
| Does not bother about improving | Questions about how I can improve |
Disadvantages of Having A Fixed Mindset
There are a lot of disadvantages to having a fixed mindset. A person with a fixed mindset:
- Lacks self-awareness
- Remains stagnant in life and never grows.
- Afraid to take risks with the fear of failure.
- Judges too quickly.
- Focus on validations from other people.
- Lacks will power.
- Avoids challenges in fear of losing their comfort zone.
- Easily give up.
- Feels threatened with others success.
Which is Better Between Growth Mindset And Fixed Mindset?
A growth mindset is undoubtedly better than having a fixed mindset, which generally hinders growth and increases dissatisfaction.
With a growth mindset, you will not give up easily on things; as Albert Einstein says, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
It only takes courage to grow in life and become a better version of yourself, and to achieve its growth mindset is all you need to have.
Conclusion
The fixed mindset is all about having a fixed way of looking and living life, which ruins its essence. Having a growth mindset can change your personality as well as the way you perceive life.
“You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By becoming a little better each and every day, over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”
John Wooden
