Mindset:The New Psychology of Success

A powerful message, written in a dumbed down and annoying mannerAccording to Carol Dweck, individuals can be placed on a continuum according to their implicit views of “where ability comes from”. Dweck states that there are two categories (growth mindset versus fixed mindset). We can group individuals based on their behaviour, specifically their reaction to failure, into one or the other of these categories.. Those with a “fixed mindset” believe that abilities are mostly innate and interpret failure as the lack of necessary basic abilities. Those with a “growth mindset” believe that they can get any given ability provided they invest effort or study.Dweck argues that the growth mindset “will allow a person to live a less stressful and more successful life”. In a 2012 interview, Dweck defined both fixed and growth mindsets:“In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don't necessarily think everyone's the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.”A large part of Dweck's research on mindsets has been done in the field of education. The growth mindset is the more desirable of the two for students. In particular, an individual's mindset impacts how they face and cope with challenges. According to Dweck, individuals with a “growth” theory are more likely to continue working hard despite setbacks. Individuals' theories of intelligence can be affected by subtle environmental cues. For example, children given praise such as “good job, you're very smart” are much more likely to develop a fixed mindset. Whereas if given compliments like “good job, you worked very hard” they are likely to develop a growth mindset.While elements of our personality – such as sensitivity to mistakes and setbacks – can make us predisposed towards holding a certain mindset, we are able to develop and reshape our mindset through our interactions. Carol Dweck and her colleagues noted that alterations in mindset could be achieved through “praising the process through which success was achieved”. These show how framing and discussing students' work and effort play a considerable role in the type of mindset students develop and students' conceptions of their own ability.The messages are powerful so why the three star review then? Well, the main problem is that the writing is awful. Dweck assumes that her readers won't be able to grasp a detailed explanation, and then a discussion on how to apply the learning. What we get instead is story after story, anecdote upon anecdote, and imaginary dialogues with non-existent people. Added to this are, what seemed to me to be parts cut and pasted from her workshops or training sessions.I want detail and specifics on how I can apply these ideas in my life! Dweck quotes lumps of [a:Malcolm Gladwell 1439 Malcolm Gladwell https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1224601838p2/1439.jpg]. Stop! Study how he writes, then apply what you have learned to make this a better book. Save your money. Visit my blog to see the Fixed v Growth mindset infographic and also read my Kindle notes.

I read this as part of a company requirement.

I find that the growth mindset stuff comes really naturally to me with work and stuff as it relates to me directly, but it's hard when it's in relationships or with my kiddo! So, I found the latter chapters, specifically around that, to be really great.

Overall, I thought this book was good but that it picked up pace at the end. The last chapter, for instance, had really good applicable insights which I plan to use as a framework more often.

I had to read this book for a staff book study, and I went into kind of feeling that old annoyance I get when someone tells me what I have to read. However, I ended up devouring it in two days. Mindset is a very accessible text about a very intriguing theory. Dweck uses easy to follow, real world examples with which the reader can identify pieces of themselves. The idea centers around two core mindsets - fixed and growth-oriented - and what that means for the people who are set in them. From the book's perspective, America is extremely fixed in its cultural mentality, and that's not a good way to live long-term.

I'm eager to discuss this book with my school's actual psychologist and mental health professionals in my life to see how much of it is solid science and how much is just good writing. As a teacher, though, I can definitely see ways to apply these ideas in my classroom.

I think 3 stars is generous. This is another one of those books that could be explained in a paragraph or even an essay but at most a chapter. To turn it into a book is ridiculous. What is even more frustrating is that the lazy author doesn't even bother to unpack the idea of what a growth mindset is and how to build one. Seriously whatever your name is.

The entire book could be summed up with a quick description of the fixed vs. growth mindset. Carol Dweck's work is cited in practically every book I read and it's incredibly important, but I didn't feel like it needed an entire book.

TLDR; if you know about the growth mindset, develop it. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read this until you get it, then skip to chapter 8.

It's an interesting and inspiring concept, but could have been an article or blog post. It's so repetitive it's unreadable (and kind of reductive: everything “bad” is because of a fixed mindset, everything “good” is because of a growth mindset). I read some other reviews to see if it ever got deeper than anecdotes and praise for her own work and it doesn't look like it does. Giving up.

4.5 stars/5.

This was probably one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. It was incredibly informative and I had a lot to take away from it. Dweck describes the differences between ‘fixed mindsets' and ‘growth mindsets' and how they can make or break literally everything in your life, especially when looked at through the lens of ‘success'. What does success mean to someone? Does it mean getting the grade (via cheating or cramming) or accumulating the knowledge through hard work and pacing oneself to get the grade? Is it looking at the shortest possible way to get somewhere, like fad dieting? Or is it looking at making the habits consistent for long-term success?

This book had me looking at all the areas of my life I jumped to wanting to ‘instant fix' rather than the longterm learning. While reading this book, I was studying for an exam, and although I did not pass, I would not say I failed. This book helped me really see and capitalize on the fact that all the time I spent studying was not wasted because I did not get the grade I wanted. It actually was time well spent because it made me better at my job and made it easier to understand the systems I am working with through a different lens. I expanded my knowledge through this in a way that may have not been so obvious in the beginning.

This book also called me out in terms of the limited ‘fixed' mindset I was displaying in my romantic relationship, as well as friendships/ familiar relationships. I now have some new strategies in my pocket to employ to work with another person towards success.

Also, Dweck highlights the fact that just because you start this does not mean that its done. If you think its in a good spot and you don't need to put more effort in, you are stagnant and that is where the trouble starts again. This was refreshing because there is this misconception that if you have to put any work into anything, whether it is a relationship, job, hobby, etc. then it something is wrong. How can we love the underdog story of those who put in all this hard work for whatever, but then when it is our turn we think that the needing to work hard is in indication of inadequacy?

All in all this book was great, however, there were things that Dweck discusses (particularly with parenting) that I would not agree with. Its all a balance. I have no children myself, but I tapped into how I would have reacted if my parents parented the way she suggested. I would have felt unseen and unheard, which would have backfired. This is the reason why I knocked off .5 stars. It is really because she pushes the envelope too far in certain directions, and many of these can be argued to be disruptive to overall growth. That aside, it was only .5 reduced not 1 because those situations just described are great opportunities for discussion and communication.

I would highly recommend this read to people who feel stuck and a little lost in life, or for those looking to improve themselves in ways that are considered ‘soft skills' (less about concrete credentials and more about how you as an individual perceive people, situations, yourself and success.)

I'm so glad to have found this book when I did!

“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.”

For the last couple of years I've been feeling stuck. I've felt like I've been living the same day over and over. I've felt like an imposter and struggled with relationships. I've always felt let down when criticised. I've felt like I'm not good enough and I always avoided taking risks due to fear of failure...

If you've ever felt these things, it's alright! You're not alone. We can fight it, we can be better.

This book delves into the differences between having a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and tells you how to actively practice and talk to yourself to overcome your fears. Dr.Carol gives us hundreds of examples of successful people overcoming hardships just by changing their thought process.
This book was inspiring. It was necessary for me to read.

This book will make you want to be a better person, try harder and make an effort to learn everyday.

I must say, there is a lot of repetition. I didn't mind that very much though. If that's something you don't like, skim through and find the parts you're interested to read about. Or just read the summary of the book and you'll be good to go.

Highly recommend!