What Is a Growth Mindset — and Do You Have One?

The term "growth mindset" gets thrown around a lot. But what does it actually mean in practice — and more importantly, how do you know whether you have one or not?

The idea in a nutshell

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and character are not fixed at birth — they can be developed through effort, practice, good strategies, and support from others. The term was coined by Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, following decades of research into how people respond to challenges, failure, and feedback.

Its opposite is a fixed mindset — the belief that your qualities are carved in stone. You either have them or you don't. This belief, even when held subconsciously, shapes everything from how you respond to criticism to which opportunities you choose to pursue.

"In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I'm going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here's a chance to grow."

— Carol Dweck, Stanford University

What it looks like in real life

A growth mindset isn't just positive thinking — it's a fundamentally different relationship with difficulty. Here's how it tends to show up day to day:

• You see a challenging project as an opportunity to learn rather than a risk of being exposed
• When you receive critical feedback, your first instinct is curiosity rather than defensiveness
• You interpret effort as the path to mastery, not as evidence that you're not good enough
• When you fail, you ask "what can I learn from this?" rather than "what does this say about me?"
• You're genuinely inspired by other people's success rather than threatened by it

What a fixed mindset looks like

Fixed mindset thinking is far more common than most people realise — and it doesn't just affect people who lack confidence. High achievers are often deeply fixed in their thinking, particularly around the areas they're known for being good at. Admitting struggle in those areas feels too risky.

Some common signs of a fixed mindset include:

• Avoiding challenges where you're not sure you'll succeed
• Feeling that effort is pointless — if you were truly talented, things would come naturally
• Taking criticism personally, even when it's constructive
• Feeling threatened or envious when others do well
• Giving up quickly when things get difficult

Most people have a mixed mindset

It's important to note that mindset isn't binary. Research suggests that most people hold a mixture of fixed and growth beliefs — often simultaneously, and often without realising it. You might embrace challenges enthusiastically at work but shut down completely when it comes to your fitness or your relationships.

The goal isn't to achieve some perfect state of pure growth thinking. It's to become more aware of when your fixed mindset is running the show — and to have the tools to shift it when it matters.

Can you change your mindset?

Yes — and this is the most important thing Dweck's research established. Mindset is not a fixed trait. It's a learned pattern of thinking, which means it can be unlearned and rewired. The brain's neuroplasticity means that with the right strategies and consistent practice, you can genuinely change how you respond to difficulty, failure, and uncertainty.

That's exactly what the Mindset Matters course is built around — not just explaining the theory, but giving you practical, research-backed tools to shift your thinking patterns in real situations.