How Mindset Affects Success?

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According to psychologists, behind each success story lies successful mindset. We cannot act from a so-called scary mindset and expect great results. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck found that there are two basic types of a mindset – a growth mindset and fixed mindset. According to her, people who have developed a growth mindset are more open to challenges, because they willingly take risks and do not worry if they fail. Namely, they do not link their identity and abilities with success and failure. If they fail, they would not think they are stupid or incompetent. They know that almost all skills can be acquired with a strong focus and hard work. For that reason, they are more open to experiment, to learn new things and build more new skills. It is not surprising they will gain many competencies that will pave their way to success in the long run. But, Carol Dweck also found one more difference between people with the growth mindset and people they find one. It is their motivation. People with the growth mindset are focused on now and undertake everything that makes them enjoy the present moment. They learn, act and create in the area that suits the most their natural interests and affinities. Their priorities motives are focused on emotional fulfillment and a sense of purpose. On the other hand, people who have the fixed mindset are driven by achievements. They are strongly focused on results and can achieve a certain level of success. But, in the long run, they become exhausted by the lack of emotional fulfillment and all their efforts quickly fade. To understand better how our mindset affects success, the article ” Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives” gives us the quote from the Carol Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

For twenty years, my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value. How does this happen? How can a simple belief have the power to transform your psychology and, as a result, your life?

Believing that your qualities are carved in stone — the fixed mindset — creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over. If you have only a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character — well, then you’d better prove that you have a healthy dose of them. It simply wouldn’t do to look or feel deficient in these most basic characteristics.

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I’ve seen so many people with this one consuming goal of proving themselves — in the classroom, in their careers, and in their relationships. Every situation calls for a confirmation of their intelligence, personality, or character. Every situation is evaluated: Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or a loser? . . .

But, acquiring the growth mindset is not impossible. It can be developed by learning and practicing. If we are persistent enough, we can eventually completely replace the fixed mindset with the growth mindset that can cultivate success.