WHAT IS THIS "GROWING MIND"?

Due to my profession, I work closely with the concept of agile. This term, translated into Turkish as çeviklik, can be briefly explained as the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions and to produce a task or product with the most suitable person, technology, time, and place.

We can also define it as the ability to respond quickly and easily to changing conditions.

In fact, agility is not just applicable to business life but also to personal life. Should we leave that for another article?

Now, why did I start with agility? I found that this concept shares common aspects with the growth mindset (such as openness to development), yet they are different concepts. In this article, I want to talk a bit about the growth mindset.

In both our professional and personal lives, we are constantly exposed to change. So, do we reject it, or do we try to adapt?

It is important to see change as an opportunity to unlock our potential, improve ourselves, and transform.

Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, who defines mindset concepts, introduced two main ideas: fixed mindset and growth mindset, which she thoroughly explained in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

According to this theory:

Growth mindset suggests that talents and skills can be developed through learning and effort.
Fixed mindset assumes that abilities and talents are unchangeable and cannot develop.

Carol Dweck has conducted over thirty years of observations and experiments on these concepts.

Let's talk about the attitudes of these two different mindsets.

An individual with a growth mindset sees failures as opportunities to learn. They are open to trying new things. These people do not give up in the face of challenges; they believe they can improve through effort. They do not fear making mistakes or give up easily.

On the other hand, individuals with a fixed mindset fear making mistakes, resist change, and therefore avoid taking responsibility. When faced with obstacles, they do not put in effort; instead, they give up and quit.

Unlike a growth mindset, individuals with a fixed mindset do not handle feedback and criticism well. They seek the approval of others.

A growth-oriented mindset is flexible and adaptable, leading to personal development, whereas a fixed mindset is resistant to challenges, unwilling to try, and avoids effort—ultimately creating a vicious cycle. To break free from this cycle, one must move away from a fixed mindset.

So, which mindset do we have? Can we change our mindset? How do we achieve this?

Everything starts with a question, and asking questions is an important step toward change. 😊

Once again, our journey leads us to self-discovery.

If we recognize our strengths and identify areas open to growth, we can develop an innovative and flexible perspective that leads to awareness. As a helpful resource, I recommend mindfulness exercises available on video-sharing and social media platforms.

Personally, I don’t believe that competencies and talents are purely innate. 😊

By learning from difficulties and adopting a growth-oriented mindset, we can surely change.

As long as we are not afraid of making mistakes. Let's take on new responsibilities, put in effort and determination, experience, learn, grow, and develop.

All we need is just a little courage…

With love…