137: Growth vs fixed mindset
One of the biggest myths we face as creatives is this idea of innate skill or talent. We feel like we’re either born with it or we’re not. Today I’m debunking this with and sharing all about growth vs fixed mindsets.
Episode transcript:
Good morning, Daily Peppers, and a very happy Thursday to you. You're listening to the Daily Pep, which is the only daily podcast designed to inspire, encourage, and just rebel rouse you to do the things that only you can do. So yesterday's episode was all about this feeling like we need to know all of the answers and how well, basically, that's a load of bollocks. And today I want to build on that. Now, one of the biggest myths that we face as creatives is this idea of innate skill or talent. We feel like we're either born with it or we're not. Or if we're someone who's built their skills up over time, then maybe we have these feelings of being a fraud or somehow inferior. And today I just want to explore that a little bit.
So a couple of years ago, I came across the work of psychologist Carol Dweck. Carol has done loads of work around resilience and working out what is at play when it comes to how we approach setbacks and why some people bounce back and why for others, even the smallest of setbacks can just be devastating. Within her research, she came up with two phrases which she uses to explain this, and they are growth mindset and fixed mindset. And if you're in education or if you're a teacher, there's a chance you're very familiar with this. With the fixed mindset, Kara says, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. And they believe that talent alone creates success without effort. And with this one, it's all about seeing our character, creativity, and skills as just fix things that we can't change.
Either we have it or we don't. On the other end of the scale is growth mindset, where she says people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Brains and talent are just a starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. So we experiment, we thrive on challenges, and we're able to overcome setbacks. And the reason I'm talking about fixed and growth mindsets today is that I really want to undo some of the learning we have about this myth of being innately talented. Now, I'm going to be diving into ways you can build that growth mindset in future episodes, but really, the focus of today's episode is simply to provide an alternative from what so many of us grow up believing. You can build on your skills and your talents.
Success does not rely on innate ability and you can do so many things to change your mindset and how you overcome setbacks and work through things that don't go as planned. So I hope this is a bit of reassurance. I hope it's a bit of a permission slip and I hope it gets you a bit curious about what you can do. And that's it for today's episode. And if you're loving the daily pep and you'd love to get a letter from me in your inbox every week sharing the things I'm learning along my own journey to build a wholehearted life I love, be sure to sign up for my weekly emails at thathummingbirdlife.com I share the most vulnerable bits and things I don't share anywhere else with a fabulous community of courage makers and daily peppers. And rest assured you'll be in great company. So have a wonderful Thursday and I'll see you back here bright and early tomorrow morning. Take care.
Episode transcript automatically produced by Castmagic.io
ABOUT THE DAILY PEP! PODCAST
A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!
The Daily Pep! is the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for couragemakers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women.
If you’re surrounded by people who don’t get who you are or what you do, if you want reminders you’re on the right path (no matter how scary it feels), or you’re sick of being your very own worst enemy, this is the podcast for you.
Every weekday, your host - writer, coach and professional rebel-rouser - Meg Kissack helps you build a creative and wholehearted life, one day at a time. Through short and snappy insights, reminders and stories, The Daily Pep! is here to remind you you’re not alone, and that everything changes when you believe you matter. Each episode is short and snappy, designed to fit in with (or help you start) your habits and routines
MORE REBEL-ROUSING THIS WAY!
