I was first introduced to the concept of a growth mindset while teaching. Popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, the idea of a growth mindset fundamentally revolves around how individuals perceive their abilities and intelligence. It’s a relatively simple concept at the surface level: “Intelligence is NOT static. It is malleable and can be developed through effort.” Efforts and interventions to help students cultivate changes in mindset have roared through education and are slowly integrating into other areas, like workplaces. While there is more recent debate on the effectiveness of growth mindset interventions (check out these two 2023 papers from the APA “Do growth mindset interventions impact students’ academic achievement?” and “A systematic review and meta-analysis of growth mindset interventions.”) there are important takeaways regarding mindset and resilience for everyone when looking at fixed vs. growth mindsets.
A Tale of Two Mindsets
So, what are the differences between “Fixed” and “Growth” mindsets?
Growth Mindset
- Intelligence is Malleable: You can develop your intelligence, talent, and abilities over time through dedication and effort.
- Love Learning: The belief that you can improve your intelligence, talent, and abilities fosters a love of learning and curiosity.
- Persist Through Setbacks: Failure and challenges are not evidence of a lack of ability. It’s a chance for further growth and an expression of resilience.
- Embrace Challenges: Challenges are opportunities for learning and improvement.
- Open to Criticism: Constructive criticism is a useful tool for improvement.
- Others’ Success is an Inspiration: Others’ successes provide meaningful lessons and inspiration.
Fixed Mindset
- Intelligence is Static: Intelligence, talent, and abilities are fixed traits. You either have them or you don’t, and you can’t change them.
- Effort is Meaningless: Since talents and abilities are fixed traits, effort is only necessary for those who lack sufficient talent.
- Giving Up Easily: Challenges and failures are expressions of a lack of ability, and it is better to give up at that point.
- Avoid Challenge: Since failure means a lack of ability, it is better to avoid challenging tasks.
- Ignore Constructive Criticism: Constructive criticism is a personal attack, not an opportunity to improve.
- Others’ Success is a Threat: If others are successful, this highlights your own limitations or failures.
Laid out this way, the differences are stark. I mean, really, it’s like asking whether you’d like an ice cream sundae or a punch to the face.
Get to the Point
Now, at this point, you may be wondering, “Hanna, this is a design blog. Why are we talking about psychological mindsets and education initiatives?”
Because mindset matters.
And I’m laying this out here, not just as a reminder to myself but also as (hopefully) a little inspiration as we come into the new year.
Working in an artistic field requires us to bare our soul to the world on a regular basis. It can be excruciating. It puts us in a place of vulnerability, leaving this little piece of ourselves out and open to criticism.
A fixed mindset is about fear. It encourages us to limit ourselves based on the imaginary judgments of others.
Let’s embrace being fearless. Trying new things, practicing, and growing. Persisting in the face of challenges because success is impossible without a string of failures. Let’s pledge to be daring artists who revel in the process and who see every blank canvas as a universe of possibilities.