This book tells about two different approaches to think about your own mindset. The first one is fixed mindset and the second one is growth mindset. Dweck thinks, that growth mindset is way more important than talents or things, that you are already good at. Implementing the new way of thinking is also good idea at work, because it accepts to do mistakes. Without the courage to make mistakes and try new things without back thoughts, we will not be able to survive in this rapidly changing world. 

Fixed mindset 

There is no only one right type of mindset, that is why Dweck tries to describe both ways of thinking. The first way is called “Fixed Mindset”.  There is a lot of people, that have exactly this type of mindset. 

Tons of excuses, fear of failure, avoiding responsibility 

People with this particular mindset believe, that all their talents and skills are totally fixed from birth. All their potential, intelligence and abilities are unchangeable. The author provides for the readers a list of characteristics for people with fixed mindset. For example, people with fixed mindset: 

• Think only about success, but not about the journey to the success 
• Care more about feeling special and different from others 

• Do not see a failure as a part of the success 
• Are already finished and polished diamond, rather than works-in-progress stone 

In addition, if person is constantly trying to hide his deficiencies and does not admit he has them, he is probably a fixed mindset owner. They tend to say, “If you fail once, you should never try it again” or “Once failed, is a bad idea to try again”. Because of their limited mindset they evolve behaviors to protect their deficiencies and hide a fear of judgement. By avoiding opportunities or challenges, by appearing special from others or by refusing to try it makes possible. 

Fixed mindset people can be most of the time positive, at least, they can try to fake positivity. But the biggest difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset is happening after a failure. People with fixed mind do not take any responsibility of failure and they tend to have a lot of excuses for why they did not succeed. Taking the responsibility of your own failure is almost impossible for this type of people, because they are constantly trying to cover all the weaknesses. 

Growth mindset 

This type of people believe that their potential is limitless, and it cannot be predicted by any test, because they are improving themselves constantly. They think, that abilities can improve over time, that is why they have a lot of patience and persistence. The author provides for the readers a list of characteristics for people with growth mindset. For example, people with this type of mindset: 

• Are in love with challenges 
• Are constantly self-improving 
• Are passionate even in hard time 

• Enjoy the progress and also struggle towards a goal 
• Are not afraid of failing, as long as they can learn something new 
• Value the effort, because even successful people still have to work hard 

People with growth mindset tend to say, “If you fail once, no matter. Try again!” or “Never give up.”.  

Mindset comparison 

Examples of growth mindset 

There is a lot of top achievers, like Michael Jordan or Tomas Edison, were told that they are average. Fortunately, they overcame this adversity by learning from criticism and embracing challenges. These people knew that it takes time to improve, so Michael was constantly practicing on the basketball court and Tomas was repeatedly trying to evolve a light bulb.  

If you recall the early works of best artists in the world, you will see that the very first albums were not so great. It took time to master the skills, before they became famous. 

Changing a fixed mindset is possible 

It is not the end of the world, if someone has fixed mindset and wants to switch it to growth mindset.  

There is a study called epigenetics, witch studies gens. 90% of genes can change completely depending on lifestyle and also environment. Your believes and thoughts could change the structure of areas of your brain like muscle. 

To develop a solid growth mindset, firstly, you have to realize that every situation in your life is either a happiness or a useful lesson. You are here to learn how to achieve a goal. No need to blame, try to focus on what you can keep in control. After each failure, try to think what you can do better next time. Think of the failure as a part of your journey, without a failure it is impossible to achieve something big. Try to obtain the idea, that failure is a permanent condition. 

 Conclusion 

“What you believe affects what you achieve.” -Bill Gates 

There is obviously a reason, why Bill Gates is recommending this book. It would be a good idea to listen to one of the most successful people in the world. We all have horrible and harmful beliefs and behaviors, that make us passive in achieving new things. Now we have the knowledge and we can recognize these hidden opportunities, take all the responsibility of life and change! Just like how many of the world´s most successful people did. Author wants to highlight there is no black-or-white labeling, at the moment you probably have some kind of mixed mindset and you are the only person, that can change it in preferable direction.  

Dweck, Carol S. Mindset – Menestymisen psykologia – Kuinka voimme toteuttaa piileviä kykyjämme? Viisas Elämä 2016 978-952-260-590-0