Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

Prajesh Chhanabhai

Change Maker I CROSSROADS Coach I Experienced Student Success and Engagement I Podcaster I

September 17, 2024

The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open. — Frank Zappa

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to glide through life, overcoming obstacles like they’re playing a game they’ve mastered, while others hit walls they can’t get past? It’s like there’s a hidden key that some have found and others are still looking for. Spoiler alert: It’s not magic, privilege, or luck. It’s mindset.

Mindset is the lens through which you see the world—and let me tell you, it’s everything. Think of it as the operating system of your brain. It’s either updating, expanding, and evolving, or it’s stuck in an outdated version, keeping you running in circles.

I started this newsletter so that I could learn more about Mindset but also to share my learnings every week with you my readers. This week I want to go back to the real basics about Why Mindset Matters. Sometimes we all need a reminder about those things we take for granted.

The Story of two mindsets: Growth vs. Fixed

Imagine two painters staring at a blank canvas. The first, let’s call her Divya, picks up her brush with excitement. She’s not worried about making a perfect masterpiece right away—she’s curious to see what emerges. Every stroke teaches her something new. Maybe the colours don’t blend the way she imagined, or the brush slips. But Sarah doesn’t see these as mistakes. They’re happy accidents, guiding her toward a better picture. For her, it’s the process that matters.

Now meet Tane. He’s got the same blank canvas, but instead of excitement, his chest tightens with anxiety. He’s already decided that he’s not a great artist. He’s certain that any mistake he makes is proof that he was never cut out for this. The brush feels heavier in his hand. Instead of seeing the blank canvas as a playground for creativity, it’s a minefield of potential failure.

What separates Divya from Tane? The way they think about their abilities.

• Divya has a growth mindset: She believes that even if she’s not good at something right now, she can get better through practice, learning, and curiosity. The canvas isn’t a test of her talent—it’s an experiment.

• Tane has a fixed mindset: He believes his abilities are set in stone. He’s either good or he’s not. The canvas is a judgment of his worth, and any mistake confirms his worst fears.

Both are staring at the same blank canvas, but they see it through completely different lenses. And that lens—your mindset—determines how you approach challenges, failures, and opportunities in every aspect of life.

Why Mindset Matters

Let’s get real here. Mindset isn’t just some motivational fluff. It’s not a “nice-to-have” when things are going well. It’s the invisible thread running through everything you do. It’s the software that powers your mental engine, and if it’s faulty, the whole system crashes. It’s also the name of this newsletter for a reason!

Let’s break it down into some real-life scenarios:

1. Your mindset shapes your future Picture your career like climbing a mountain. With a growth mindset, every step, every stumble is just part of the climb. You’re not racing to the top—you’re savouring each foothold, knowing every slip is a lesson. But with a fixed mindset? That mountain feels impossible. One slip, and you’re ready to give up. Mindset is the gear you need to keep moving, even when the climb is tough.

2. It’s your internal GPS for life’s twists and turns Think of mindset as your GPS. When life throws you off course—unexpected challenges, setbacks, failures—your mindset decides whether you see these detours as dead ends or just another road to your destination. With a growth mindset, you re-route, adjust, and keep going. Fixed mindset? You sit on the side of the road, frustrated, waiting for someone else to figure it out for you.

3. It’s the blueprint for building relationships Relationships are like houses you build with people. A growth mindset is the blueprint that says, “This will take time. I’ll make mistakes, but I can improve.” With that outlook, every miscommunication, every argument becomes a chance to strengthen the foundation. A fixed mindset? That’s the person who walks away at the first crack in the wall, convinced that the house was doomed from the start.

4. Innovation is born from a Growth Mindset If life is a canvas, a growth mindset is the paint that brings your ideas to life. Think of how innovators like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk pushed boundaries. It wasn’t talent alone. It was the belief that failures were stepping stones. If you see each setback as a door slamming shut, you’ll never see the one that’s slightly ajar. Growth mindset lets you experiment, learn, and innovate without fear.

5. Your mindset Is a mirror to your resilience Imagine standing in front of a mirror that shows not your reflection but your resilience. A growth mindset helps you see every scar, every bruise from life’s punches, as part of your strength. It’s a badge of honour. You’re still standing, still pushing forward. But with a fixed mindset, that mirror is foggy—you only see the cracks. You feel like one more hit, and you’ll shatter. Resilience is the superpower growth mindset gives you. Without it, you’re fragile. With it, you’re unstoppable.

Signs you’re trapped in a Fixed Mindset

• Do I avoid challenges because I’m afraid I might fail?

If you find yourself dodging opportunities because you’re worried about not succeeding, you might be clinging to the idea that failure is a reflection of your ability. A fixed mindset sees failure as permanent, while a growth mindset sees it as temporary and necessary for progress.

• Do I believe that talent is something you’re born with, and that effort can only get you so far?

If you catch yourself thinking things like, “I’m just not naturally good at this” or “They’re successful because they’re gifted,” it’s a sign you might believe abilities are fixed. This mindset makes it hard to grow beyond your current limits.

• Do I take feedback personally or get defensive when someone critiques me?

A fixed mindset views criticism as a personal attack on your worth or intelligence. Ask yourself, “Do I see feedback as an opportunity to improve, or do I see it as proof that I’m not good enough?”

• Do I feel threatened by the success of others?

If you often compare yourself to others and feel a sting when someone else achieves something great, that’s a fixed mindset at play. Instead of feeling inspired or learning from their success, you might feel like their win is somehow your loss.

• Do I give up easily when things get hard?

If you find yourself saying, “This is too hard, I’ll never figure it out,” you may be in a fixed mindset loop. A growth mindset, on the other hand, pushes through difficulties, knowing that effort and persistence are the keys to getting better.

• Am I afraid to step out of my comfort zone?

If you’re reluctant to try new things or stick to what you know, you might be operating from a fixed mindset that fears the unknown and resists change. Growth happens when you’re willing to push your boundaries, even if it feels uncomfortable.

• Do I believe that my intelligence or abilities are set in stone?

Have you ever thought, “I’m either smart or I’m not”? A fixed mindset tells you that your abilities are finite and unchangeable, which can lead you to avoid situations that challenge your current skill level.

• Do I focus more on proving myself rather than improving myself?

Do you find yourself constantly seeking validation from others, focusing on proving you’re good enough rather than focusing on growth? A fixed mindset is all about proving worth, while a growth mindset thrives on learning and improvement.

• Do I think mistakes define who I am?

If you think, “I failed, so I must be a failure,” you’re linking your identity to your mistakes. A growth mindset sees mistakes as part of the learning process, not as a label of who you are.

How to cultivate a Growth Mindset

You wouldn’t try to run the latest apps on an old, outdated phone, right? So why let your brain run on old software? Here’s how to start rewiring your brain for growth:

• See failure as data

Think of your life as a science experiment. Failure isn’t the end—it’s feedback. Like a scientist tweaking their hypothesis, you learn from every misstep. Start asking yourself, “What did this failure teach me? What can I change next time?” Failures aren’t dead ends—they’re just part of the map.

• Turn “I Can’t” into “I’m Learning”

When you hear yourself say, “I’m just not good at this,” pause and tack on one word: yet. “I’m not good at public speaking… yet.” “I can’t manage my time well… yet.” That tiny shift opens up a whole world of possibility.

• Celebrate micro wins

Growth is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the tiny steps you take along the way. Finished a challenging task? Boom, win. Asked for feedback, even though it scared you? Win. These small victories are like fuel for your growth mindset engine.

• Challenge your inner critic

We all have that inner voice whispering doubts. The trick is to challenge it. When you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never be good at this,” flip it: “Why not? What evidence do I actually have that supports that?” Often, your inner critic is running on assumptions, not facts.

• Surround yourself with growth-minded people

You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with, right? So, make sure you’re hanging out with people who challenge you, inspire you, and push you to grow. Growth mindset is contagious, and when you’re around others who live it, you start adopting it naturally.

If there’s one thing to take away from this weeks article, it’s this:

Your mindset is the master key to every locked door in your life.

Whether you’re stuck in a career plateau, struggling with personal relationships, or trying to figure out your next big move, mindset is what will unlock the path forward.

Start small. Next time life throws a challenge your way, ask yourself: “What’s this teaching me? How can I grow from this?” You might be surprised at how fast things start to change when you let go of the fixed mindset holding you back.

Your Next Move

Take a moment. Think about an area in your life where you feel stuck. Could a mindset shift help? If so, take the plunge and try a new approach.

And hey, let me know how it goes. Drop a comment below and share your growth mindset story. You never know—you might inspire someone else to make their own shift.

Till next week keep growing!

Prajesh

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