Your Future Isn't Written in the Stars, It's Forged in You
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck's groundbreaking research on mindsets reveals that the beliefs we hold about our own abilities and intelligence are among the most powerful drivers of our success and happiness. Dweck posits that "the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you live your life". These beliefs generally fall into one of two categories: Fixed Mindset: The belief that intelligence, talent, and abilities are static, innate traits. A person with a fixed mindset is consumed with the goal of proving their inherent worth. They tend to shy away from challenges because failure would imply a lack of ability. They see effort as a sign of weakness—if you were truly smart, you wouldn't have to try so hard. Consequently, setbacks are seen as catastrophic events that define their identity, and they often ignore or become defensive in the face of constructive feedback. Growth Mindset: The belief that abilities can be developed through dedication...