My father is a major proponent of the “mind over matter” philosophy. He believes that if you put your mind to it you can overcome most obstacles. Often he was right. As a child, he would periodically give me a cookie or treat when my mom wasn’t home, believing that if I didn’t know it contained severe allergens, I wouldn’t react and he could prove the supposed allergies were mind over matter. Unfortunately his good intentions in those situations generated very negative outcomes.Dad’s “mind over matter” philosophy succeeded when we were tiring on a long hike and he taught me the song from the movie, The Bridge over the River Kwai and explained how it had motivated the troops in a critical scene. We sang and hiked with renewed determination until we reached our destination, exhausted and energized.These incidents occurred years before I was introduced to a fabulous book called Mindset the New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck (thank you Vered). Dr. Dweck noticed two distinct behaviors in her Stanford research, she titled as Fixed and Growth Mindset. The differences are astounding and can be literally life-changing. How we talk to others and ourselves has a powerful impact on how we view the world around us. Parent, grandparents and leaders, please pay attention and read this book.A child or adult, earns good grades or promotions at work. If he is often praised for being successful because he is smart, he may develop Fixed Mindset and become afraid to take risks, fearful that trying something new could lead to failure and then people will no longer think he is smart. The result, he chooses easier classes or assignments, sticks with games he is already good at and doesn’t take risks. He focuses on maintaining his position. He fears risk and the potential loss associated with it.Another person who also earns good grades or promotions is instead praised for her creativity, curiosity, hard work and/or persistence that led to the same level of success often develops the Growth Mindset. These traits lend themselves to taking on new challenges, learning and growth to attain success. When she doesn’t know how to do something she thinks, “Hmm, well, I’ll just be curious and learn”, or “I’ll persist until I figure it out.” Growth Mindset enables you, your loved ones and your employees to become their best selves, to achieve their destiny. Growth Mindset asks, “What is possible?” and “How can I achieve my goal?” Fixed Mindset focuses more on “What might I lose?” and “What are the risks?” Take a few minutes to notice where in your life you may be living with each mindset. Which mindset will enable you be the leader and human being you are fully capable of becoming?Quote“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T. S. Eliot
