When we hear the term “mindset,” it often gets tossed around like a buzzword in self-help books, TED Talks, or during those long meetings where everyone seems to have a “growth mindset” all of a sudden. But let’s pause for a moment—what does it truly mean to have a mindset? How does it impact our day-to-day lives, careers, and even our happiness?
In my experience as a coach, I’ve seen mindset play a pivotal role in shaping outcomes, both big and small. But before we dive deep into the intricacies, let’s break down what mindset really is, how it forms, and why it’s so crucial to our success and well-being.
What Exactly is a Mindset?
At its core, a mindset is the set of beliefs and attitudes that we hold about ourselves and the world around us. It’s the lens through which we view our experiences and the narrative we tell ourselves about what’s possible—or not. Think of it as your brain’s operating system, running in the background, influencing every decision, reaction, and thought you have.
Some of you might be thinking, “Okay, so it’s just how I think?” Yes, but also no. A mindset is more than just thoughts; it’s deeply embedded in our subconscious, shaped by our upbringing, culture, education, and personal experiences. It’s the sum total of how we’ve interpreted life so far and how we anticipate what’s to come.
The Two Primary Types of Mindsets
Psychologist Carol Dweck, a pioneer in mindset research, categorises mindsets into two main types: “fixed” and “growth”.
- Fixed Mindset: This is the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are static. You’ve got what you’ve got, and that’s it. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges, give up easily, and feel threatened by the success of others. It’s as if they’re living life with a ceiling that they believe can’t be broken.
- Growth Mindset: On the flip side, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Challenges are seen as opportunities to grow, and setbacks are simply part of the journey. People with a growth mindset thrive on feedback, are resilient in the face of failure, and are inspired by the success of others.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: we aren’t born with just one mindset. We can have a growth mindset in some areas of our lives and a fixed mindset in others. For example, you might believe you can improve your cooking skills with practice (growth mindset), but think you’ll never be good at public speaking (fixed mindset). Our mindsets can shift depending on the context, our past experiences, and even our mood on a given day.
Why Does Mindset Matter?
You might wonder, why should we care about whether our mindset is fixed or growth-oriented? The simple answer is that your mindset can determine your trajectory in life.
In my years working with high-performing individuals and teams, I’ve noticed a pattern: those who embrace a growth mindset are more likely to achieve sustained success and fulfilment. They approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear, and they’re more resilient when things don’t go according to plan.
But it’s not just about achieving success. A growth mindset also plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. When we believe that we can learn, grow, and improve, we’re more likely to experience joy, engagement, and confidence—those feelings that make life not just bearable, but exhilarating.
The Role of Mindset in the Workplace
Let’s talk about mindset in the context of work, particularly for multicultural executive women in male-dominated industries—a group I’m deeply passionate about supporting.
The corporate world, especially in male-dominated sectors, often imposes a fixed mindset culture. You might have heard things like “This is just how we do things here,” or “You need to fit into the mold if you want to succeed.” These are classic fixed mindset statements, and they can be incredibly stifling.
In such environments, embracing a growth mindset isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Women who adopt a growth mindset are better equipped to navigate the complexities of their roles, whether that’s dealing with bias, breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling, or leading teams effectively. They see obstacles as surmountable and are more likely to advocate for themselves and others.
I remember a client, let’s call her Maria, who worked in the tech industry. Maria was brilliant—everyone knew it—but she constantly held herself back because she believed that she wasn’t “leadership material.” This belief wasn’t based on her actual abilities but on the fixed mindset narrative she’d internalised from years of being in a male-dominated field. Through our coaching sessions, we worked on shifting that mindset. We focused on her strengths, the skills she could develop, and how she could use setbacks as learning opportunities (which also included delving into the world of neuroplasticity). Slowly but surely, Maria started to see herself not just as capable, but as a leader in her own right. Today, she’s leading a team of 50 and still growing.
Mindset and Personal Growth
Mindset doesn’t just affect our professional lives; it’s also deeply intertwined with our personal growth. Have you ever tried to make a change—say, start a new fitness routine or learn a new skill—only to give up when things got tough? That’s often where a fixed mindset comes into play. It whispers in your ear, “You’re not cut out for this,” or “Why bother? You’re never going to be good at it.”
But here’s the good news: a growth mindset can be cultivated. It’s not a switch you flip overnight, but with intention and practice, you can start to shift your perspective.
Here’s a few tips for how you can do this:
- Awareness: The first step is simply becoming aware of your mindset. Notice the areas of your life where you feel stuck or where you avoid challenges. Ask yourself, “What would I do differently if I believed I could improve?”
- Reframe Challenges: Start viewing challenges as opportunities rather than threats. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I can’t do this yet.” That simple word—“yet”—opens up a world of possibilities.
- Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: In a fixed mindset, we tend to focus on outcomes. But in a growth mindset, it’s the effort that matters. Celebrate the small wins, the hard work you put in, even if the results aren’t immediately visible.
- Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Failure isn’t the end of the road; it’s a detour. When things don’t go as planned, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Every setback is a setup for a comeback.
- Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Mindsets are contagious. Surround yourself with people who encourage growth, who challenge you to be your best, and who see potential rather than limitations.
The Neuroscience Behind Mindset
If you’re a science geek like me, you’ll appreciate that mindset isn’t just a fluffy concept—it’s backed by neuroscience. Studies have shown that our brains are incredibly plastic, meaning they can change and adapt based on our experiences and the thoughts we repeatedly have.
When we engage in growth mindset thinking, we’re literally rewiring our brains. Neuroplasticity allows us to create new neural pathways, reinforcing positive habits, learning, and resilience. This means that over time, the more you practice a growth mindset, the easier it becomes. It’s like strengthening a muscle—the more you work it, the stronger it gets.
The Mindset Shift That Changed My Life
Let me share a personal story. Years ago, before I became a coach, I was in a corporate role where I felt utterly stuck. On the surface, I had it all—a high-ranking position, a great salary, and a team that respected me. But inside, I was wrestling with a fixed mindset. I believed that I’d reached my peak, that there wasn’t much more I could do or achieve.
It wasn’t until I started exploring the concept of mindset that things began to change. I realised that the ceiling I felt was there was actually self-imposed. I had more to offer, more to learn, and more to achieve, but I needed to shift my perspective.
This realisation led me to take on new challenges—like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which was both a physical and mental test of my growth mindset. It also inspired me to transition into coaching, where I now help others break free from their self-imposed limitations. That mindset shift wasn’t easy, but it was the most liberating experience of my life.
Your Mindset Matters
So, what exactly is a mindset? It’s the invisible force that shapes your reality. It’s the difference between staying stuck and breaking free, between giving up and pressing on. A growth mindset doesn’t just lead to success—it leads to fulfilment, joy, and a life lived fully.
As you go about your day, take a moment to reflect on your mindset. Where is it fixed? Where can you grow? Remember, your mindset isn’t set in stone; it’s as flexible as you allow it to be. And as you embrace the possibility of growth, you’ll find that the world around you starts to expand as well.
Let’s be honest—life will always throw challenges our way. But with the right mindset, those challenges become stepping stones to the next level of our journey. So, what’s your next step? How will you choose to view the challenges ahead? Because in the end, it’s not just about what happens to us—it’s about how we choose to respond.
And that is the power of mindset.
If this has been useful for you I’d love you to share it with your friends or anyone else you think may find it useful.
Remember, you can unleash your unique version of success!
Your Coach
Stephanie
Ready to Ignite Your SPARK?
As a Certified High Performance Coach, I’m here to support you on this transformative journey. Whether it’s in your career, health, or relationships, my coaching programs are designed to help you achieve heightened and sustained levels of performance and potential. Are you ready to embrace these inner shifts then let’s embark on this journey together!
Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
Join our IYS Community – to connect with like-minded individuals focused on increasing their ENGAGEMENT, CONFIDENCE & JOY in work (and life)
Access your FREE Online Training – and learn how you can immediately hit higher levels of performance and potential in all you do!
Take the High Performance Questionnaire – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence…
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with and take the next action towards living the life of your dreams!
Recent Comments