_{Image CC BY 2.0}

I am writing this article as an ideal continuation of my previous post Observations about the Evolution of Sales in the Coronavirus Era, in which I had started to analyze and recognize the main changes taking place in this particular historical moment.
Changes that were already largely underway and that were accelerated by the impact of Covid-19 on the whole world.
Today I ask you ...

How ready are you to change?

What's your behavior towards a relevant novelty in your life?

Maybe you already know it, but now I will give you some tools to define it in a more analytical way and give you the opportunity, if you want, to improve your performance.

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Fixed and Growth Mindset

In decision theory and general systems theory, a mindset is a set of assumptions, methods, or notations held by one or more people or groups of people. A mindset can also be seen as arising out of a person's world view or philosophy of life.

Doctor Carol Dweck, a psychologist whose photo you see right here, talks about mindset and specifies that beliefs that people adopt about themselves, deeply influence the way they manage their lives.

There are two types of mindset:

Fixed and Growth

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FIXED MINDSET ➡️ EVERYONE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE BIRTH OF A CERTAIN TALENT AND THIS IS UNCHANGEABLE OVER TIME

GROWTH MINDSET ➡️ EVERYONE, WITH ADEQUATE COMMITMENT, CAN DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THE BASIC QUALITIES

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Let's go a little more in detail:

People with a FIXED MINDSET:

• are convinced that qualities are defined and immutable
• always try to demonstrate their talent
• avoid challenges
• quickly give up
• consider the effort useless, the commitment is a sign of poor quality
• do not react to failures
• ignore criticism and suggestions
• feel threatened by the success of others
• don't pursue development

People with a GROWTH MINDSET:

• are convinced that qualities develop
• always try to learn
• face the challenges
• do their best
• react to failures
• seek negative feedback
• consider the success of others as a source of inspiration
• pursue great results and great changes

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CHALLENGES

_{Public Domain}

People with a fixed mindset can only feel a certain satisfaction when everything is safe, under their firm control, and avoid challenging situations.

People with a growth mindset not only seek the challenge, but they absolutely need it. And the bigger the challenge, the more they put effort into tackling it.

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COMMITMENT

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People with a fixed mindset arrive unprepared, don't commit to being able to use the alibi of sufficiency and low preparation, so as not to justify failure with poor skills. They try all the alibis for not doing.

They also react to a defeat by trying to indulge in extenuating factors so as not to harm their self-esteem. They confront those who have done worse than them and blame external contingencies for their failures.

People with growth mindset react to failure constructively, trying to learn how to do it better. They analyze best practice, identifying the critical points on which to work to improve their performance.

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FEEDBACK

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People with fixed mindset were found to be more alert and interested when feedback highlighted their abilities and positive performance characteristics.

The recording of their brain waves showed that they paid close attention when told if their answers were right or wrong.

In the same situation, people with growth mindset paid more attention to the information and answers that could expand their knowledge.

From the cognitive side, the priority was found to be learning new concepts and modalities.

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This model can be applied to any area, from work to family, up to that of sport.
It can be useful to modify distorted perceptions, to try to change some sides of the character, to improve the approach in difficult situations or even to become aware of one's own behavior.

Now, to conclude, I would like to play with you.
The sports sector is an area in which innate talent is clearly very important, but also the capabilities of continuous learning and improvement of the skills.

So, this is my question:
Below are four images depicting great sports champions.

_{Cristiano Ronaldo}

_{Diego Armando Maradona}

_{Roger Federer}