Are you someone who is motivated to make new goals and try new ways of improving yourself? Do you like to grow and succeed even when you know it may be hard? If so, you are someone with a Growth mindset. On the other hand, are you someone who shy’s away from challenges and has little motivation to work towards reaching goals that may require a lot of work? If so, you may be someone with a Fixed or Stagnant mindset.
Still not sure which category you fall into? Here are more characteristics that may help:
Fixed mindset:
- Avoids challenges.
- Gives up easily on goals.
- Does not take feedback well – sees it as an attack.
- Does not put in a lot of effort.
- Tends to be ok with where they are in life. No desire to reach another level.
- Does not support people in their effort to achieve their goals.
People with fixed mindsets do not believe they can change their motivation to be directed towards growing and achieving goals. They believe they were born pessimistic, negative, and with less drive than others that work hard for their accomplishments.
Growth Mindset:
- Likes challenges.
- Does not give up easily on goals.
- Enjoys feedback so that they can grow.
- Supports people in their effort to achieve their goals.
The growth minded people can have a fear of failing or fear of judgement but continue to move forward towards their goals anyway. Fixed mindset people may not get to the point where they have any fear of failing because they do not have thoughts of striving towards hard things.
I believe there is a third mindset to add to these scenarios. I call it the Stagnant Mindset. To be “stagnant” (according to dictionary.com) means to be characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement. However, many times being stagnant does not last. Stagnation has the desire to keep moving forward but is temporarily at a place of stand still.
Stagnant Mindset:
- Sets goals but allows the fear of failure to stop them from moving forward.
- Feels Imposter syndrome (everyone else will do it better than me. Who am I to do this?)
- Creative and enjoys dreaming about success.
- May have anxiety when thinking about acting on their goals.
- Envious of others success’s because they have the desire for that too.
- Gets stopped in the pursuit of their dreams because they do not know “how” to make it happen.
- Takes a couple steps forward towards their goals but retreats after a short period of time.
- Engages in motivational events, videos, books, or podcasts looking to strengthen their mindset to achieve their dreams but take little action.
I believe that the fixed minded people are set in their ways but that the Stagnant minded people have the most potential for growth.
Tips for Stagnant Mindset
- Invest in a Life Coach to help you recognize and destroy the roadblocks that are getting in your way. Life Coaches are made for the Stagnant mindset.
- Grow your circle of friends to include growth minded people.
- Find a mentor that has achieved what it is you would like to succeed in. Learn the steps they used to get to where they are.
- Reduce overwhelm by taking small steps towards your goals and have patience with the results.
Tips to helping Growth mindset people to stop judging Fixed minded people.
Just because someone has a fixed mindset does not mean they are not happy. The Growth minded people may not understand that because much of their happiness is with growing and achieving. They simply do not understand why others would not want to do the same. Recognize that what makes you happy is not what makes everyone happy. It is important that you are accepting. Fixed mindset people probably do not understand why you work so hard when you could be chillin’ and relaxing like they are. It is simply two viewpoints of how to live life without either one of them being the right or wrong way for all.
Carole Dweck is a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University who does work in mindset. She has many You Tube video’s and books if you’d like to learn more about the Fixed and Growth mindset.
As always, if you are looking for a life coach, I am always here.
Your Life Coach – Traci