Views on Effort
“Trying harder won’t change anything.”
Fixed Mindset: Thinking that having to put in the work and effort into something is useless. Instead of seeing effort as an essential component of learning and growth.
“This is tough to hear, but it helps me know what to work on.”
Growth mindset: Acknowledges the feeling of disappointment with the feedback, but wants to improve regardless.
“It must be nice to naturally win every game like they do.”
Fixed mindset: Feels threatened or jealous of someone else's success. A growth mindset is when you find inspiration and learn from other's achievements.
A kid watches a friend draw well and says: "She was born an artist! I could never draw like that."
Fixed mindset: Practice makes perfect. Talent is no substitute for practice and effort.
“I missed again. I’ll never be good at this.”
Fixed Mindset: Practice makes perfect. If you feel you'll never be good at something and quit before giving it your all – you probably will never be good at it.
“His success shows what’s possible. I’m on my own path to progress.”
Growth Mindset: Each person has their own personal journey. Minding your own journey, helps focusing on yourself and what you need to improve rather than comparing.
“He makes it look easy because he’s practiced a lot. I can improve with practice too.”
Growth Mindset: Removing the comparison and focused on developing skills personally is a way to evolve.
Teacher gives student some tips on how to improve their painting technique. Student secretly thinks: "That teacher doesn't understand my art"
Fixed mindset: Gets defensive, ignores feedback, and feels personally criticized. Instead as seeing feedback, tips and criticism as ways to improve and learn new techniques.
"I'm just not a math person, that's just how I am".
Fixed mindset: Not being good at something YET, doesn't mean you won't get good at something EVER.
“Smart people don’t need help. If I need help, it means I’m not smart.”
Fixed Mindset: No one is perfect and everyone has their areas of expertise and vulnerability. Focus on yours.
“I thought I was done, but your notes give me a new direction to improve.”
Growth Mindset: Sees that mastery takes effort and being challenged.
“She did well—maybe I can ask her how she approaches studying and learn from it.”
Growth Mindset: Acknowledges that friend's success may offer some insights on how she herself can develop and learn new strategies.