Growth Mindset

 

“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.” ( Dweck, 2015)

Before starting this task I had never heard of professor Caroline Dweck and If someone had asked me to describe or define the Growth Mindset I would've been stuck for answers. From watching her videos and learning about her and her work surrounding the Growth Mindset I found her to be extremely enlightening and educational. 

Reflecting on my own mindset in regards to my college work I do believe this time last year I was definitely stuck in the world of the fixed mindset, unable to try learn new things without fear of failure, and almost refused to do so. But plunging into a highly creative course which many of us hadn't had experience in before, my mindset gradually changed and developed in first year, and I was forced and forced myself to undergo new challenges in learning new things, failing countless times to get something just right but reaped the rewards when finally doing so. I realised I had held myself back for a long time in terms of learning new things. 

Comparing my learning techniques in secondary school to my second year in college, I realised being stuck in the fixed mindset for so long held me back and I lacked confidence in my own work. But now I do believe I am developing into a new mindset, the growth mindset and I have a lot more confidence in my own work and the process of working toward a goal. Knowing failing at times or many times benefits you rather than negatively affecting you. That's something I like to regularly remind myself, and something many of the lecturers have instilled in us, not by fear but by growth. 

Photo of a growing plant in a persons hand.
Credit : Unsplash

I would love to learn more about the growth mindset throughout the year and develop my own skills through it and using those skills within my other modules. It's something I am really interesting in learning more and I hope to do so over the next year.