Don’t think of attributes like talent and athleticism as unchangeable.
Per Carol Dweck’s fantastic book Mindset, there are two types of mindsets:
- Fixed mindsets, where you believe attributes like your intelligence and talent are permanent and unchangeable
- Growth mindsets, where you believe your intelligence and talent are malleable and can increase with effort.
Having a growth mindset is critical for success in all walks of life.
A person with a fixed mindset might think:
- “I’m bad at guard”
- “I’m not athletic”
- “He beat me because he’s bigger than me.”
A person with a growth mindset might think:
- “I need to work on my guard”
- “How can I get in shape?”
- “What are the best strategies against a larger opponent?”
The way you think about yourself is crucial to growth and overcoming your limitations. The wrong mindset can leave you treading water for years.
Further Study:
