Growth vs Fixed mindset is a concept that I have heard a little about for several years. It has been reference in Professional Development sessions and mentioned as a "buzzword" by administration several times that I can remember. I felt like I understood some of it. I knew that Fixed Mindset means that you believe people are naturally smart or talented and only have a certain amount of talent or intelligence and that will not change. Growth Mindset means that you feel that people can grow their talent or intelligence by perseverance and hard work.
When I watched the Carol Dweck video and she talked about the power of yet, a new realization occurred to me and ideas fell into place. It's more than just the simple explanation that I thought I understood. It brought together that explanation and another thought process that I subscribe to, as well... that failure isn't final. I read the book Failing Up by Leslie Odom Jr last year and it changed my whole way of looking at things. It didn't specifically reference growth mindset, but the same idea that failure can help you grow. You just have to look at it a different way. See every experience as a growing tool and not only are you more likely to grow, but you are more likely to enjoy the growth.
When I listened to Caroline Dweck's speech in the video, I immediately shared it via email with my coworkers because it is so powerful! Failure isn't final. No isn't the end. "Not yet" isn't never. You have to keep working and striving to do better and hope that you will succeed in whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish. Some may call it foolish optimism or naivety, but those imply a negative connotation which I do not believe to be an accurate assessment.
As a theatre teacher, I give students direction for performance all day. I find myself enjoying working with the students who "take the note and move on" more than those who don't. In other words, the students who do not whine and make excuses, the students who listen and make a conscious effort to change or correct what I have pointed out to them during notes - those are the students who are easier to work with and who make directing plays more enjoyable. I also try to instill in my students that if they continue their theatrical career, they are going to hear, "no" far more than they will hear, "yes". It is important to reflect on each audition and look at what can be learned from it. Sometimes, there is room for growth in an audition and sometimes the director is literally looking for a different type of actor and there isn't anything you can do about it.
The same can be said about a job interview. This past summer, I was looking for a new teaching position and was called by a principal to tell me that I did not get the job. Her words were, "We decided to go with another applicant." She sounded a bit off guard when I thanked her and asked her how I could improve my interview skills, resume, and/or application. She gave me constructive feedback and told me that she appreciated my inquiry and would let me know if she heard of any other positions in the area. It was through her that I found my current position.
Odom, L. J. (2018). Failing Up How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning. Feiwel & Friends.
[Stanford Alumni]. (2014, Oct. 9). Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ&feature=youtu.be
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