You've probably heard of growth mindset. You've probably tried to adopt it. You've probably told yourself you have a growth mindset. And then you've noticed that in some areas, you're still fixed. That in some areas, you're still stuck. That in some areas, you're still believing that your abilities are fixed. And you think: Why am I still fixed in some areas? Why can't I adopt a growth mindset in all areas? What's wrong with me?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: you're not fixed. You're just fixed in some areas. And understanding where you're still fixed — and how to adopt a growth mindset in those areas — is the key to reaching your full potential.
What Growth Mindset Actually Is
Let me be precise, because understanding what growth mindset is is the first step to adopting it in all areas.
Growth mindset is not about being perfect. It's not about never failing. It's about believing that your abilities can be developed. About believing that your abilities can be improved. About believing that your abilities are not fixed.
And here's what most people miss: growth mindset is not all-or-nothing. You can have a growth mindset in some areas and a fixed mindset in others. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is not all-or-nothing — is the key to adopting it in all areas. Not seeing it as all-or-nothing. Seeing it as area-specific.
Pause and Reflect: Think about your mindset. In which areas do you have a growth mindset? In which areas are you still fixed? If you can identify the areas where you're still fixed, that's the first step. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas.
Why You're Still Fixed in Some Areas
Here's why you're still fixed in some areas — and why it matters.
You're still fixed in some areas because those areas are harder. They're harder to change. They're harder to develop. They're harder to improve. And that difficulty — that difficulty — makes you more likely to believe that your abilities are fixed in those areas. Because they're harder.
And here's what most people miss: this difficulty is not a sign that you can't change. It's a sign that change is harder in those areas. And understanding that — understanding that the difficulty is a sign that change is harder — is the key to adopting a growth mindset in those areas. Not seeing the difficulty as a sign that you can't change. Seeing it as a sign that change is harder.
The Personality Types Most Likely to Be Fixed in Some Areas
Your personality shapes which areas you're most likely to be fixed in — and which aspects of growth mindset are hardest to adopt.
If you're high in neuroticism — prone to anxiety and self-doubt — you're more likely to be fixed in areas where you feel insecure. Because you're prone to self-doubt. And that self-doubt — that self-doubt — makes you more likely to be fixed in those areas. Because you're prone to self-doubt.
If you're high in conscientiousness — organized, disciplined — you're more likely to be fixed in areas where you have high standards. Because you have high standards. And those high standards — those high standards — make you more likely to be fixed in those areas. Because you have high standards.
If you're low in openness to experience — you prefer the familiar — you're more likely to be fixed in areas that are unfamiliar. Because you prefer the familiar. And that preference for the familiar — that preference for the familiar — makes you more likely to be fixed in those areas. Because you prefer the familiar.
If you're low in self-efficacy — you don't believe in your ability to succeed — you're more likely to be fixed in areas where you don't believe in your ability to succeed. Because you don't believe in your ability to succeed. And that lack of belief — that lack of belief — makes you more likely to be fixed in those areas. Because you don't believe in your ability to succeed.
The Micro-Insight About Growth Mindset
Here's the thing that changes how people think about growth mindset.
Growth mindset is not all-or-nothing. It's area-specific. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas.
We think of growth mindset as all-or-nothing. As something we either have or don't have. But it's not. It's area-specific. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas. Not seeing it as all-or-nothing. Seeing it as area-specific.
How to Adopt a Growth Mindset in All Areas
Here's the practical part. Because understanding growth mindset without knowing how to adopt it in all areas doesn't change anything.
Identify the areas where you're still fixed. Don't just try to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Identify the areas where you're still fixed. Because identifying the areas where you're still fixed — identifying the areas where you're still fixed — is what actually allows you to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Not just trying to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Identifying the areas where you're still fixed.
Understand why you're fixed in those areas. Don't just try to adopt a growth mindset in those areas. Understand why you're fixed in those areas. Because understanding why you're fixed in those areas — understanding why you're fixed in those areas — is what actually allows you to adopt a growth mindset in those areas. Not just trying to adopt a growth mindset in those areas. Understanding why you're fixed in those areas.
Adopt a growth mindset in those areas. Don't just try to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Adopt a growth mindset in the areas where you're still fixed. Because adopting a growth mindset in the areas where you're still fixed — adopting a growth mindset in the areas where you're still fixed — is what actually allows you to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Not just trying to adopt a growth mindset in all areas. Adopting a growth mindset in the areas where you're still fixed.
The Deeper Truth About Growth Mindset
Here's what I want you to understand.
Growth mindset is not all-or-nothing. It's area-specific. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas.
Growth mindset is not random. It's area-specific. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas. Not seeing it as all-or-nothing. Seeing it as area-specific. And that understanding — that understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is what actually allows you to adopt a growth mindset in all areas.
You Can Adopt a Growth Mindset in All Areas
Here's what I want you to hear.
You can adopt a growth mindset in all areas. You can identify the areas where you're still fixed, understand why you're fixed in those areas, adopt a growth mindset in those areas. And that adopting — that adopting of a growth mindset in all areas — is what actually allows you to reach your full potential.
Growth mindset is not all-or-nothing. It's area-specific. And understanding that — understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is the key to adopting it in all areas. Not seeing it as all-or-nothing. Seeing it as area-specific. And that understanding — that understanding that growth mindset is area-specific — is what actually allows you to adopt a growth mindset in all areas.
If you've been struggling to adopt a growth mindset in all areas — if you want to understand the specific personality traits that make you more likely to be fixed in some areas — the MyTraitsLab Personality Test can show you the full picture. Not to tell you you can't adopt a growth mindset. But to help you see the specific wiring that makes you more likely to be fixed in some areas — and help you adopt a growth mindset in all areas in a way that actually works for you.
