Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Sam Saenz
3 min readJun 23, 2022

One will keep you stuck and one will help you be more successful!

Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash

New psychological research from the National University of Singapore and Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D on success concluded that success haIt'sss to do with intelligence and everything to do with your mindset.

While the National Univeristy of Singapore's research focused on a "strategic mindset," Carol's research specifically focuses on a fixed vs. growth mindset.

One of these mindsets is congruent with the tools and principles of nuero-linguistic programming—which one do you think it is?

Fixed mindset:

Photo by Aubrey Odom-Mabey on Unsplash

Having a fixed mindset, means you buy into the notion that you are a certain way and can't change. It's a stagnant way of thinking that keeps your mindset, behaviors, and life stuck in place. Your skills, talents, and intellect are set and unchangeable. You:

  • Avoid taking on new challenges.
  • Quit or give up on projects too soon.
  • Are self-critical & dismissive of feedback.
  • Can be critical or judgmental of others.
  • Argue FOR labels and self-limitations.
  • Repel against ideas that conflict with your frame of reference.

What a Fixed Mindset Sounds Like:

  • I can't do it.
  • I'm not good enough.
  • It's too hard.
  • I don't know how.
  • I give up.
  • I'm not smart enough.
  • It’s good enough.
  • I'll stick to what I know.
  • I'm either good at it or I'm not.

Growth Mindset:

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

A growth mindset is about seeking to understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. You belI'me skills, talentsI'lld intellect can be developed through…

Sam Saenz

UX Content Designer (https://samsaenz.com), Travel & Food Writer (https://eatwelladventureoften.com), and NLP (mindset) practitioner in Miami, Florida.