One of the best ways of changing how you live is becoming aware of how you think. This is because your thoughts create a feeling which then will be the reason for your action or inaction, which will create the result you have in your life. When you understand what this means you are most likely going to be very focused on what is going on in your head, as well as choosing your mindset deliberately.

How you think is a choice, but it takes some practice to implement that into your life. It is your mindset that sets the tone for how you look upon situations and what decisions you make in the end. This is one major reason why the mindset you have will play a pivotal role in the way you live. 

What is a mindset?

So, what is a mindset? Mindset can be explained as a person’s assumptions or way of thinking as well as their opinions. A mindset can arise out of a person’s worldview or philosophy of life. It can also be held by one or more people or groups of people.

One of the best ways to realize what our mindset is all about, is to understand the difference between and a fixed and growth mindset. Most of us are good at learning. We are trained in knowing how to learn new information and we are usually taught how to question that information. But on the other hand, we are very unaware of how to use and cultivate our mindset.

Choosing your mindset

According to Carol Dweck, Ph.D. there are two types of mindsets we can cultivate. With a fixed mindset, we believe talents are a set of fixed traits we are born with. Whereas a growth mindset believes talent can be developed by hard work, challenges, and good mentoring.

The differences between a growth and fixed mindset

A growth mindset embraces problems as opportunities to learn and the fixed mindset tries to avoid them, for the fear of failure. We usually tend to lean towards one or the other. But we can also have a fixed mindset in one area of our lives and a more of a growth mindset in another.

When we are categorizing people to be either smart or not smart, we are using a fixed mindset. If we value raw talent, we are looking at people from a fixed mindset perspective. 

How growth and fixed mindset impact your life

The brain of a person with a growth mindset lights up in certain parts when they are put to tackle a problem. In the same situation there happens almost nothing in a fixed mindset brain. People with a fixed mindset simply leave the problem and move on. With a growth mindset, it is easier to take on challenges, stick to them and improve.

The difference between the fixed and growth mindset has a lot to do with how we look at learning. If we have a fixed mindset, we tend to avoid trying new things because we fear failing all together or we fear the embarrassment of failing. This is because we feel failing will mean something about us as people instead of having to do with the situation at hand. Failing means we should give up since the task at hand is not a strength of ours. Having a fixed mindset makes us think we are not capable to continue if we fail once.

A growth mindset on the other hand focuses on learning and development to the extent that practicing something not that enjoyable will simply feel like a step forward. Compared to a fixed mindset person who tends to take the easy way out and stop when they are getting stuck.

Having a growth mindset means there is a belief about growing being a possibility. When action is taken consistently improvement and growth will happen.

People with a growth mindset also tend to celebrate other people´s success, whereas a person with a fixed mindset will feel threatened by other people´s success.

You can learn even more about how choosing your mindset will impact your life on workingmymind.com.

Our brain is like a muscle

The idea about how the brain is capable of being trained and growing just as any other muscle, is backed up by neuroscientists. Working the mind is crucial when we want to achieve change. Or as Carol Dweck puts it:

“Every time you push yourself to learn something new and difficult, the neurons in your brain can form new stronger connections. Over time you get smarter.”

If you want to live a better life, make sure you choose your mindset deliberately!

Meet the author

Catharina Kallio is working as a Senior Consultant and Coach in Finland, enjoying her personal growth journey and helping others do the same.

“I have the privilege of working with leaders of companies and teams, training them to lead their people in the best possible way. I am a certified Business Coach (ICF accr.) and a Career Coach which gives a deep insight into behaviour. Making personality assessments, recruiting and headhunting employees on the other hand gives another dimension of understanding how we function. By now, I must have interviewed thousands of people with various backgrounds and experiences. You can learn more about me on LinkedIn at Catharina Kallio and on workingmymind.com

As an Ethnologist understanding people and culture, with the underlying schemes and beliefs is totally fascinating for me. Since getting my Master´s Degree learning has continued, curiosity will follow me wherever I go.”

Are you ready to shift your mind, improve yourself and take a step further in your life? I believe you can grow and change yourself more than you ever imagined. You can build yourself the life you want! Join me and the rest of us on workingmymind.com.