Growth Mindset

he research of Dr. Carol Dweck shows that people's mindset can have a major effect on their success in life.

People with a growth mindset believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The opposite, a fixed mindset can limit learning.

People with a growth mindset see failure as a challenge and criticism as a chance to learn, while those with a fixed mindset see failure as a disaster and criticism as a personal attack.

People with a growth mindset have grit and persist in the face of setbacks, while those with a fixed mindset see the first sign of difficulty as proof that their dream was not meant to be.

People with a growth mindset view other's success as inspirational, while those with a fixed mindset envy others' success.

People with a fixed mindset feel the need to prove themselves, to show that they are amongst  the few with ability, while those with a growth mindset feel that success is just a matter of time and effort.

Do you believe you are stuck with the hand you were dealt with or do you believe you can increase your talent, intelligence and abilities through hard work? Changing your mindset could be the first step in improving your life.

Articles

• Growth mindset for coaches and managers
• 6 Tips to Help Students Develop a Growth Mindset in the Classroom
• Fixed vs. Growth: Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives
• Improve your coaching skills with a growth mindset
  

Videos

• Video explaining fixed mindset vs growth mindset
• The Growth Mindset Video | Carol Dweck | Talks at Google
• The power of believing that you can improve | Carol Dweck

Books

• Mindset by Carol S. Dweck ( Summary Video + Book )
• Grit by Angela Duckworth ( Summary Video + Book )

Related Posts

• Positive Deviance
  
• Double Loop Learning
  
• Deliberate Practice
  
• Goal Setting

Goal Setting

t is that time of year where people make New Year's resolutions. 

They are easy to make, but not so easy to keep.

So how do you form long lasting habits?

There has been quite a bit of research on this topic in recent years. In particular I have found three methodologies to be helpful (MCII,  Hope Theory and Atomic Habits). Optimism, planning and goal breakdown seem to be recurring themes in these methodologies. They do not contradict each other and are complementary. In fact the authors of these methods refer to each other and seem to be aware of each other's work. I will address each method in turn, below.

Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions

A useful technique for changing habits and behavior is mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) also known as WOOP.

The four steps of this technique are

• Wish. Decide which goal you want to achieve.
• Outcome. Imagine what it would feel like to achieve the goal.
• Obstacle. Imagine the obstacles that might prevent you from achieving the goal.
• Plan. Create if-then plans. e.g. If you meet obstacle A then do behavior B.

Videos

• Video explanation of MCII aka WOOP.

Books

• Rethinking Positive Thinking by G.Oettingen ( Summary Video + Book )

Hope Theory

Prof. Snyder breaks his advice into three components.

• Goals - Make your goals specific, measurable and with a deadline.
• Pathways - plan multiple strategies to achieve your goals - if all else fails use double loop learning to adjust your goals. 
• Agency -  Optimism and growth mindset help fuel persistence and grit which in turn enables achievement of your goal.

Videos 

• Hope Theory Session with Dr. Christian Wandeler

Books

• Psychology of Hope  by C.R. Snyder ( Summary Video + Book )
• Handbook of Hope by C.R. Snyder ( Book )

Atomic Habits

James Clear expounds on what he calls ‘The Four Laws of Behavior Change’.  The new habit must be obvious, easy, attractive, and satisfying.

• Obvious - The new habit must be tied to a time, place or situation so it can be triggered consistently. 
• Easy - Break it down into small steps.
• Attractive - Tie completion of the new habit to a reward.
• Satisfying - Keep score. Gamify your experience.

Book

• Atomic Habits by James Clear ( Summary Video + Book )

Related Posts

• Growth Mindset
  
• Positive Deviance
  
• Double Loop Learning
  
• Deliberate Practice