What’s in a logo?
“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
– Michael Jordan
Over 30 years ago, Carol Dweck (Professor of Psychology at Stanford University) conducted research analyzing how students cope with failure. During this study, she and her colleagues observed that when faced with failure, some students were able to rebound, overcome and grow from their failures, while others were crushed by even the slightest of setbacks. After analyzing her findings, Dweck noticed that student perception of their abilities influenced their motivation and achievement. This analysis led her to observe thousands of students, where she eventually coined the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset.
Inspiration
I first learned about Dweck’s research during a community service learning course I took during my university studies that focused on fostering a growth mindset and a positive mentor-mentee relationship. After learning about Dweck’s work, I genuinely felt that I had a growth mindset. However, upon reflection, I found that there were numerous instances where I exhibited a fixed mindset mentality. For example, there are numerous times when I have failed to lift a weight in the gym. At the beginning of my lifting career, I would have seen something like a 315lb back squat as something impossible for me to lift. By perceiving the lift as impossible, I would mentally limit myself in performing the task and improving to do so. In contrast, by adopting a growth mindset I now analyze my lift, the conditions leading up to it, and seek feedback from others; essentially put focused, genuine effort into getting that bar up the next time I attempt it. As a result, I now routinely squat that amount. What once seemed impossible has been surpassed.
Deem a task impossible, and there is no journey. There is nothing to be gained as “impossible” is a statement of finality; believe something cannot be done and it never will be. Reframing a task as “difficult” marks the beginning of learning from challenges and growth as an individual. It is growth in focusing on the process and not the destination.
Everybody starts somewhere, but reaching your true potential starts with genuine effort and commitment to being the best you can be. As a coach, being cognizant of fostering a growth mindset is my promise. Will you join me on this journey?
References
Brady, A., & Alleyne, R. (2017). Resilience and growth mindset in sport and physical activity. In Positive Psychology in Sport and Physical Activity (pp. 102-114). Routledge.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Dweck, C. S. (2014). The mindset of a champion. Psychology at Stanford University.
Dwek, C. S. (2015). A GROWTH MINDSET. The Joy and Power of Reading, 10.
Mann, A., & Narula, B. (2017). Positive psychology in sports: An overview. International Journal of Social Science, 6(2), 153-158. DOI:10.5958/2321-5771.2017.00017.5