April 12, 2022
A growth mindset is a belief that you can improve with effort, while a fixed mindset is the belief that who you are and what you can do are set in stone.
In this article, we're going to explore how your mindset affects your ability to succeed at work, and how having a growth mindset will help you develop into an even better business owner!
Just as you can sharpen your intellect, you can reshape your mindset. Neuroscience reveals that our brains remain adaptable well into adulthood, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Like a well-loved lump of Play-Doh, your brain can form new connections, strengthen existing ones, and even speed up how quickly information travels. This means that if you’re stuck in a fixed mindset, you’re not stuck forever, change is possible.
Dr. Carol Dweck’s research shows that shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s backed by science. Studies have demonstrated that traits like intelligence aren’t set in stone, they’re malleable, and effort can make a real difference.
By embracing both the science and the practice of a growth mindset, you’re not just hoping for success, you’re building the foundation for it, one neural pathway at a time.
You might wonder, “Is it possible to actually change the way you think?” The answer is a resounding yes, and the science of neuroplasticity explains why.
Neuroplasticity refers to your brain’s remarkable ability to reshape itself throughout your life. While we once believed the brain’s wiring was set in childhood, research now shows that adults can form new neural connections and even rewire old thought patterns. It’s a little like updating the software on your phone: with focused effort, your brain can “download” new ways of thinking and behaving.
What does this have to do with shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? Everything. Scientific studies, including the groundbreaking work of Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, have revealed that practicing new habits of thought—like embracing challenges or seeing effort as valuable, can strengthen these positive pathways in the brain. Over time, what once felt uncomfortable or unfamiliar becomes second nature.
So, if you’ve always believed that your personality or abilities are etched in stone, neuroplasticity gives you scientific permission to think again. You’re not stuck, change is not just possible, it’s backed by your own biology.
Neuroscience has given us fascinating insights into why some people believe they can grow and improve, while others feel stuck with what they've got. In fact, the days when scientists thought our brains were “set in stone” after childhood are long gone. It turns out our brains are more like clay than concrete, they keep reshaping in response to effort, learning, and new experiences.
Studies using brain imaging have revealed that people with a growth mindset actually activate certain brain regions more when they receive feedback about how to improve. For example:
When you’re focused on growth, your brain literally fires up more when you’re told how to do better, instead of just hearing how you’ve performed. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset show more brain activity simply receiving results—almost as if the outcome matters more than the process itself. This sheds light on why people with a growth mindset are often more motivated to tackle setbacks and learn from mistakes.
Even better, neuroscience has demolished the myth that adults can't change. The brain is capable of rewiring itself, building new connections and strengthening old ones, through a principle called neuroplasticity. This means that adopting a growth mindset isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a process your brain is fully equipped for, no matter your age.
These discoveries, championed by researchers like Dr. Carol Dweck and validated in neuroscience labs from Stanford to MIT, reinforce the idea that anyone, even the most diehard fixed-mindsetter, can transform how they think about intelligence, challenge, and improvement.
The second part of this theory states that people have a sense of their own ability. They either feel as though they are not sufficient or they don't have what it takes to succeed. If you believe that your skills and talents are fixed, you may be reluctant to take on new challenges or learn anything new because you believe that if you fail at something, it means that there is something wrong with your ability as a person.
On the other hand, if someone has a growth mindset, the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and practice, they will see failure as an opportunity for growth rather than proof of incompetence.
In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities are just the way they are and cannot be changed. They also believe that talent alone creates success, and that not everyone has equal access to it.
In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment
You might avoid situations where you could fail or look foolish. Since failure is not an option for people with a fixed mindset, they often don't pursue opportunities that might make them feel inadequate or unsuccessful (like taking classes in college).
People with a growth mindset on the other hand are more likely to try new things because they understand that learning takes time and effort. They see setbacks as opportunities to grow and get better at something rather than failures that define who they are as people
A fixed mindset is one that believes intelligence is something you are born with and cannot change. In a growth mindset, you believe that intelligence can be developed through practice and hard work.
This means that if someone has a fixed mindset they might say things like: "I'm not good at maths." Or "I'm just not a creative person." On the other hand, if someone has a growth mindset they might say: "I need to practice more" or "Let me try again!"
You might wonder if intelligence is truly set in stone or if it's possible to build it over time. For a long time, people assumed that the brain stopped developing after childhood, like a computer that just runs the same old operating system year after year. But modern research tells a much more hopeful story.
Neuroscience now shows us that our brains are incredibly adaptable, even well into adulthood. The technical term for this is "neuroplasticity", think of the brain like a lump of clay rather than a block of marble. Through experiences, practice, and learning new things, you create new connections between brain cells, strengthen old ones, and can even boost the brain’s processing speed.
Studies from institutions including Stanford University and findings from researchers like Dr. Carol Dweck suggest that we're not stuck with a single level of intelligence. By challenging yourself, embracing new skills, and putting in deliberate effort, you’re not just learning facts, you’re actually helping your brain rewire itself for greater ability.
This means that people with a fixed mindset aren't destined to stay that way forever. With the right approach (and a little patience!), anyone can develop a more growth-oriented outlook and foster real, measurable change in their abilities.
It’s not just philosophy or self-help talk, a growth mindset actually shows up in the brain. Neuroscientists have used imaging techniques to watch what happens in our heads when we’re learning, making mistakes, and responding to feedback.
What they’ve found is intriguing:
People with a growth mindset tend to show more brain activity when they’re given advice on how to improve, suggesting that their focus is on learning and progress. On the flip side, those with a fixed mindset show increased brain activation when receiving judgment about how they performed (like hearing a test score).
In other words, our brains really do respond differently depending on whether we see challenges as threats or as opportunities to grow.
That being said, the science is still evolving. While there’s growing evidence linking mindset and brain activity, researchers like those at Stanford and beyond agree we’re only beginning to scratch the surface in understanding the exact mechanisms involved.
According to Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University, the key difference between these two mindsets lies in how people deal with failure.
People with a fixed mindset think they are born with certain traits (like intelligence) and cannot change them. They see mistakes as evidence that they're not good enough or smart enough, and then give up when they fail. In contrast, those with growth mindsets believe their abilities can be developed through effort and practice. When faced with setbacks, growth-minded people view them as learning experiences that lead to greater success down the road, so they keep trying until they succeed! This makes sense if you think about it: If your job relies on innovation and creativity (as most do), wouldn't it be valuable if everyone had a growth mindset?
But a growth mindset helps them learn from their failures and doesn't prevent them from taking on new challenges. A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities are innate and unchangeable. In this case, if you're good at what you do, then that's it. You'll never be able to improve further or take on new challenges because your current level of skill is all there is to offer.
On the other hand, a growth mindset sees each person as having unlimited potential for growth and improvement through hard work and effort. A person with a growth mindset believes that even if he or she isn't currently skilled at something (or even doesn't enjoy doing it), there's always room for improvement if he/she works hard enough at it. This gives rise to an attitude of not giving up easily, and if someone does fail in an attempt at learning something new or improving his/her skillset then those failures can be seen as simply part of the learning process rather than evidence of being "bad" at whatever was attempted!
Understanding the difference between a fixed and growth mindset can be applied in various aspects of life, including sports. For instance, if you're struggling with your golf game and wondering, 'Why Do I Suck At Golf?' it might be beneficial to explore this question from a mindset perspective. Reflecting on this question can provide insights into how a growth mindset can positively impact your approach to learning and mastering golf, turning challenges into opportunities for improvement to your game. In fact, many golfers are now using technology, such as AI in golf, to gain a deeper knowledge about their performance.
In conclusion, a growth mindset is the best way to go for business owners. It will help you learn from your mistakes and take on new challenges. If you want to be successful, then it's important that you keep this mindset throughout your life as an entrepreneur.
Curious about the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and how they impact your life? Our FAQ section dives into the key distinctions and offers insights into developing a growth mindset for personal and professional success. Find answers to common questions and learn how to cultivate a mindset that fosters growth and achievement.
As a small business owner, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you're perfect and that you can handle everything yourself. While there is nothing wrong with being confident in your abilities (and even having some pride), this can lead to problems if taken too far.
To avoid this issue, you should explore advanced business resources, meet with them, and discuss how to handle a small business as an owner. It will demonstrate the importance of collaboration and you’ll realise that no one can efficiently handle tasks solely.
As an entrepreneur, one of the most important things you can do is understand that nobody is perfect. You'll make mistakes along the way, that's just part of life! But instead of feeling bad about those mistakes or trying to hide them from others, see them as opportunities for growth and learning, just like how leveraging startup resources can help you navigate challenges more effectively.
By asking for help when needed and delegating tasks when appropriate, you'll find yourself less stressed out while still accomplishing everything on your plate at work, which will allow more time for fun activities outside the office too!
A growth mindset can help you be more open to learning new skills, making mistakes and taking on new challenges. It also helps you to try new things without feeling like they're a waste of time or energy. A fixed mindset will lead you to avoid these things because they may make you feel like a failure if they don't work out the way that you want them to.
Having a good mindset as a business owner means that when something goes wrong in your business there isn't this sense of panic or fear but rather excitement at finding out what went wrong so we can learn from it and improve our future successes!
If you're a small business owner, it's important to learn from your mistakes. Don't be afraid of making them, in fact, the more mistakes you make and learn from, the better off your company will be. It's also important not to blame others for your own mistakes; just because someone else did something wrong doesn't mean that it was their fault entirely! Instead of focusing on what other people did wrong (which may or may not have been their fault), try looking at how YOU could have done things differently in order to avoid making similar mistakes again in the future.
When reflecting on how your business can improve its practices based on past experiences with failure and success alike, remember: don't take too long! It's easy when we're feeling down about ourselves or our businesses' performance level out there in the world that we forget why exactly it matters so much what happens outside these four walls; if anything goes wrong outside those walls then it doesn't matter either way because no one cares anyway right? Wrong again! In the context of financial planning, adopting a growth mindset can be particularly beneficial during periods of financial turbulence, helping individuals navigate unexpected expenses with resilience and adaptability.
You should always strive towards improving yourself personally while also striving towards improving as an entrepreneur/business owner/whatever term suits best here :)
I would recommend reading Mindset by Carol Dweck, Grit by Angela Duckworth and The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. These books will help you understand the difference between a fixed mindset vs growth mindset.
The War of Art is another great read that will help you deal with your inner resistance when it comes to taking action towards your goals.
A fixed mindset suggests your abilities are set, while a growth mindset believes your abilities can improve with effort and learning.
People with a fixed mindset often avoid challenges because they fear failure, which they see as a reflection of their inherent inability.
A growth mindset helps business owners be more open to learning, embrace mistakes, take on new challenges, and see setbacks as opportunities for improvement.
Business owners with a growth mindset learn from their mistakes, avoid blaming others, and focus on how they can improve their actions in the future.
Yes, with dedication and practice, individuals can shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset by changing their perspective on effort, challenges, and feedback.
Yes, books like "Mindset" by Carol Dweck, "Grit" by Angela Duckworth, and "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg can provide valuable insights into developing a growth mindset.
