Our discussion today, takes us to mindset. Let’s take a step back and look at my past discuss. We spoke about PROGRESSION and the need to always progress. We highlighted three examples. First, about the stream and the stagnant water. Second, we discussed about a man who searched to have a good job. Third, we discussed the achievement of Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg. In these three examples, we were able to see the need for progression. One thing about that however, is progression stems from having a mindset to progress, or move forward. Then, what is mindset?
Mindset can be described as a particular way of thinking. A person’s attitude or set of opinions about something.
This definition is straight-forward as to what a mindset is. From the two examples of yesterday’s article pointed earlier, there was a difference. The man, stopped after getting that job. Mark on the other hand didn’t stop after founding Facebook. He went on to purchase another platform for social media, Whatsapp. The difference between these two examples is none other than mind-set. Mindset can affect the way we think and act. Precisely how we view things.
So let’s talk about two types of mindsets.
Fixed mindset
Growth mindset
1.Fixed mindset:- A person with a fixed mindset believe in his/her basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent are innate. Thus, the need for improvement is not an option. They feel that their present achievement is enough for them.
Growth mindset:- People with this kind of mindset believe that their abilities can be improved upon. They do not look at basic traits or abilities as the only thing that they can use. They believe in development, progression, moving forward. You see many successful people with this kind of mindset. They always want to grow. Look at Bill gates, co-founder of the largest software business. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook. Sean Parker, co-founder of file-sharing computer service Napster and first president of Facebook. These are successful men. They all had the growth mindset.
Why does growth mindset seem to be the better? With growth mindset, you are pushed to improve on what is currently on ground. You want to improve yourself, what you have, what you can get, etc. having a fixed mindset could deter one from seeing the various opportunities lying ahead. Growth mindset helps in having a positive mindset. When Facebook was made, recall it was for Harvard students to match faces with names of students. The importance of Facebook in today’s social world is an indication of what a growth mindset can have you do.
CAN GROWTH MINDSET BE DEVELOPED
All humans think differently, but they can develop the growth mindset. This stems out from being positive. While people have their theories as to how growth mindset can be developed, I’ll highlight some things that will take you on your way to developing a growth mindset.
Not making excuses. We all face challenges. These challenges sometimes might seem insurmountable sometimes. By not making excuses, we see these challenges as opportunities to improve. Your facing these challenges head on can help you surmount them, and then you’ve leveled up.
Accept imperfections. To surmount your challenges, you need to realize that you’re not perfect. You will make mistakes, fall down so many times. Your reaction to the situation would help you develop your growth mindset.
Always try learning something new. Learning is improving on the knowledge had. Your trying to learn something new will affect the way you think, opening it to different ways of handling matters.
Have a purpose. Without purpose, there’s no need for push. Having a purpose would make you move to learn how to achieve that aim. You tend to look at the bigger picture and not just the one evident to you at the present.
Watch for the progress of your process. Some people would look at the end product as a way to know if there’s progress. That is not entirely good. A person who ventures into business can have losses in the first few months or even years of inception. Looking at the progress however, is not looking at the losses. The business could have built a client list that it didn’t have when it started. That is one of the things one should look at as progress. Soon, the gains would come.
Appreciate hard work. Talent is good to have, but someone who works hard is better than someone with talent that doesn’t work hard at all. Hard work shows wanting to be better, wanting to improve. That is growth mindset.
Keep making new goals. As you’re finishing a project or meeting a goal, set up new goals to meet. This helps propel you to do more. You strive to level up to meet the new goal set. That can help build a growth mindset.
Celebrate growth. Appreciating growth, you want to celebrate growth with others either its your growth or someone else’s.
Productivity. Strive to improve your productivity. Always look for ways to be more productive in anything you venture into. You can also learn about being productive. Tips to be productive and how best to effect those tips.
Think. Learning to think deeply about certain matters will help you see mistakes that can be corrected for improvement in a product. It can also help you see how to avoid mistakes made by others who had ventured into such business before.
Your mindset is your power. Having a fixed mindset, limits your growth. Having a growth mindset, limits your stagnancy. To be successful in what you’re doing, you need to develop a growth mindset.
