A fixed mindset is the belief that you’re born with a certain set of skills and abilities that can’t change much over time. A growth mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that your skills and abilities are always evolving, which means you have the potential to grow and improve. Growth mindsets are generally thought to be more productive and helpful for your success.
Wondering which of these two mindsets you have? You’re in the right place! Just answer these questions, and we’ll tell you if it seems like you have more of a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Hit the “Start Quiz” button to get started!
Questions Overview
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More Quizzes
- First off, give yourself a pat on the back\u2014developing a growth mindset is hard work, and you\u2019re already part of the way there!<\/li>
- Here are a few quick tips to help get you the rest of the way:
- Make an effort to get out of your comfort zone on a regular basis to prove to yourself that you\u2019re able of mastering new things.<\/li>
- Don\u2019t beat yourself up over setbacks or mistakes; remember, they\u2019re opportunities to grow and improve!<\/li>
- Celebrate your progress, not just the end result. Consistency is key to achieving anything, so it deserves to be celebrated, too.<\/li>
- Surround yourself with people who also have growth mindsets. They can be a model for you, and they\u2019re also a great source of advice on your personal growth journey!<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Develop-a-Growth-Mindset"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Change-Your-Mindset"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Develop a Growth Mindset","id":8412302,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Develop-a-Growth-Mindset","relUrl":"\/Develop-a-Growth-Mindset","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Develop-Emotional-Intelligence-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Develop-Emotional-Intelligence-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Develop a Growth Mindset"},{"title":"How to Shift Your Mindset for Positivity, Productivity & Success","id":14325896,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Change-Your-Mindset","relUrl":"\/Change-Your-Mindset","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Change-Your-Mindset-Step-22-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Change-Your-Mindset-Step-22-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Shift Your Mindset for Positivity, Productivity & Success"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>
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Growth vs. Fixed Mindset: What’s the Difference?
Someone with a fixed mindset believes that they were born with a certain set of skills and abilities that can’t really change over time. This can be pretty limiting because it doesn’t leave much room for growth or improvement. According to this mindset, you’re either born with a specific ability or talent, or you’re not, and there’s not much you can do about it.
- For example, someone with a fixed mindset might say something like, “I know I’m going to fail this math class. I’ve never been good at math. My brain just doesn’t work that way.”
On the other hand, someone with a growth mindset believes that their skills and abilities are always evolving, which means they have the potential to grow and improve. This type of mindset tends to be more productive because it allows people to see mistakes and setbacks as opportunities to grow. It’s also more conducive to success because it leaves people more open-minded about their ability to acquire new skills that they might not have imagined they’d be capable of before.
- For example, someone with a growth mindset might say something like, “I’ve had a hard time with math in the past, but each new class is different. I know I can work hard and practice until I’m comfortable with the material.” [1]
X
Research source
If you’re hoping to cultivate more of a growth mindset , here are some helpful tips:
- View challenges as opportunities to grow. When you’re faced with a setback or obstacle, you might instinctively feel frustrated, angry, or scared. This is totally natural, but it’s not very helpful to your path forward. When you catch yourself feeling this way, slow down and remind yourself that challenges give you the chance to learn new things and show yourself how strong you can be. Plus, making it past one challenge builds your confidence and resilience for future ones!
- Embrace the process, not just the end result. Instead of just celebrating your success at the end of a journey, try to pay equal attention to the effort you’re putting in along the way. Consistency is the key to achieving just about anything, so give yourself a pat on the back when you’re working hard and making progress, not just when you’re reaping the benefits of that work!
- Get out of your comfort zone. People with fixed mindsets tend to avoid taking risks because they don’t believe they can gain new skills they weren’t born with. One way to fight back against this is to actively seek out new experiences and opportunities to learn new things. Each time you successfully do something new, you’re teaching yourself that your potential is unlimited! [2] X Research source
- Surround yourself with people who have growth mindsets. The attitudes of your friends, colleagues, and mentors can be contagious. If you surround yourself with people who believe in their own ability to grow, change, and improve, this can definitely inspire you to adopt the same mindset! People with growth mindsets also tend to be encouraging and supportive toward others, rather than judgmental or competitive, which can help you in your journey. [3] X Research source
Want to learn more?
For more information on growth vs. fixed minsets, check out these resources:
- https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-for-happiness/201904/15-ways-to-build-a-growth-mindset
- https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/teaching-guides/foundations-course-design/learning-activities/growth-mindset-and-enhanced-learning