Difficult is not impossible. (from the Growth Mindset memes blog)
Obtaining the Growth Mindset
Carol Dweck has played a large role in being outspoken in the area of what is called a Growth Mindset. Until recently, I had never heard of Ms.Dweck or even taken the time to sit and think about what this mindset entails. Dweck characterizes this mindset as understanding that ones abilities can further developed. By taking on this approach and mindset, one will be in a constant state of knowing that they can improve. This mindset encompasses a wide range of different people in that it reassures someone who may have not reached a certain goal that they will get to it next time, keep on trying. It also goes to function for those who are extremely goal oriented and think that as soon as they achieve this one thing they've made, by helping them to realize they are in a constant state of growth.
I find it very interesting and fitting that in order to cultivate this kind of mindset it is important to teach children to think this way. It is important to help children and people in general to reach a place of this mindset by praising the process, effort, strategy and perseverance even in the face of failure. I think it is important to understand that we need to do this in a constructive way in order to help motivate people to grow and not just be complacent and okay with things not being correct.
Getting to a place of residing in a mindset of growth is attained through many different variables that are fluid from person to person. I believe that there are two main events that led to giving me a growth mindset including being a very competitive person and playing sports my whole life as well as the way my parents raised me. Being a very competitive person, I often do not even need someone to compete against as I am always wanting to be beat my past self and that constantly makes me want to grow and adapt. My parents also never pressured me to have straight A's or do anything growing up, they always made sure to support me and build me up no matter what, showing me that even if I fail I can get back up and do it better the second time.

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