Fixed Mindset is a problem that we often find in the working society. For example, when some people encounter problems or unfamiliar situations, they give up easily.
But for another person, he might ask to try to fix it first or try to do it first, even though he might not have had any experience in that matter before, but he believes that he will find a way to fix this matter.
That is why beliefs, no matter what they are, have an effect on our decisions and our lives. And every decision will have a clearly different outcome. For example, in the first case, because he may have a fixed mindset that is a problem, he can easily give up and not continue, which means giving up on the problem. Which is different from the second case, which is to try first, do it gradually, and there will be a tendency to be successful.
Therefore, the matter of belief has a very high impact on the possibility of what we believe.
So what should we believe that will have a positive effect on our working lives?
Naturally, as we get older, we tend to have a fixed mindset in many things. This is because we may not have been instilled with the right mindset and attitude since childhood, continuing into our school and working lives. As a result, we tend to see anything unfamiliar, anything difficult, as a problem or obstacle in life.
Although we have a Fixed Mindset that is a problem in many matters, it does not mean that we cannot change to a Growth Mindset. So, let’s first understand the Fixed Mindset that is a problem that is often found in work. What are the issues? Then let’s see how we can change our perspective (if we ourselves have a Fixed Mindset) in this matter.
“We are good at some things or bad at some things.”
Whenever we think that we are good at something, we will not try to learn or develop further in that matter because we may think to ourselves that “I am good at it already, I do not need to learn anything more.” On the contrary, if we say that we are not good at it, it may be because we have failed in the past. The result is that we will avoid doing it. The reason for avoiding it is because we are afraid of failing, being disappointed, or losing face if a mistake occurs. And we will not try to learn or practice in this matter because we think that even if we learn, it will be useless because we are not good at it, it is useless, it is a waste of time. This is the result of the power of the Fixed Mindset that we have towards ourselves.
Think with a growth mindset. In this case, whatever we are not good at, we should tell ourselves, “Maybe I am not good enough at this yet. If we learn more, practice a little more, we will definitely be able to do better.”
“It’s too late to start over, or too old to learn new things.”
We have probably heard our colleagues (or even ourselves) say or complain to us, “I am too old to learn. I think that this is enough, that I have done this much.” Or, “It is too late to start over, because I am already old.”
These issues arise from the problematic Fixed Mindset that we have towards ourselves. We see that we have limitations due to our age, and that when we get older, our ability to learn is zero, which is considered a very wrong belief.
The truth is, with a Growth Mindset, learning is not limited by age. Everyone can learn anytime, at any age, as they want. Especially in this era of rapid and high change, if anyone does not learn or develop themselves continuously, they may be left at the end of the line or may not have a good job in the future.
“Why bother trying again when you’ll just fail or fail anyway?”
Although no one likes mistakes and failures, it is something that we all have to face in our work or life. Some people may encounter mistakes frequently. Even though they try over and over again, they still make mistakes. The result is that they feel discouraged and do not want to do it again because they believe with all their heart that if they continue, the result will be a failure anyway.
This kind of feeling or thought is caused by the fixed mindset that we have towards this situation. Trying to do it again but not going back to learn from the mistake may cause our actions to be in vain. Because doing the same thing repeatedly but expecting better results will definitely not happen.
Therefore, if we think with a Growth Mindset, that is, we view mistakes as normal, and see that we still have the opportunity to learn from those mistakes, to improve or develop new methods for the next attempt. With this perspective, we will be able to move forward without fear of failure more easily.
“Advice or suggestions are negative criticism.”
No one would like it if someone told them that something they did was wrong or criticized them for not knowing or being capable enough to do it. But it is normal because each person’s ability to accept criticism is different. It also depends on each person’s perspective whether to interpret what others say about us as negative or positive.
People who can’t stand being criticized (perhaps because they think they are always right or better than others) will not listen to any opinions or suggestions at all. Sometimes, when we are criticized, we may find something important that we can use to improve and develop. But in this case, when we have a fixed mindset that is the problem, we will see that those who criticize us are people with bad intentions, trying to judge us unfairly, which makes us dissatisfied and hate these people.
In the Growth Mindset perspective, we should see that no matter what we do, there will always be people criticizing us. And in every criticism, some points may be useful for us. Or if they are not useful, we can choose not to take it to heart.
“I certainly won’t have the opportunity to grow any further.”
If everyone asks if they want to advance in their workplace, I believe the answer is yes. But what they say and what they do are the opposite. Because if they still only do so-so work, it will be difficult to grow in their career.
With a fixed mindset that believes that we definitely cannot grow any further, no matter what the reason is, the result is that we will not find a way, not find a method, or find new ways to develop ourselves to lead to change.
In the Growth Mindset perspective, we should rethink that we can develop. What should we develop? How? In order to have the opportunity to grow in the current or future career path.
“When we see other people doing better than us, we feel dissatisfied, or feel bad because it is unfair, or feel hopeless.”
It is common that we see in general workplaces when someone who is successful gets promoted, there must be some jealousy, some dissatisfaction, some think that it is unfair, etc. These things are caused by thinking in a fixed mindset, making us believe that what is happening is not fair to us. The result is that we will stop developing ourselves, stop trying to push by creating results, and in addition, we will also hate our colleagues who have been promoted.
From a growth mindset perspective, we should sincerely congratulate our colleagues when they do well and see ourselves as capable of doing the same. We can ask this friend for advice and he/she may be willing to give us advice as well.
These are all 6 examples of Fixed Mindset, a common problem found in the workplace.
However, we can always choose to believe in our own potential, as the old saying goes, “What we think, what we believe, we will get.” This is also in line with the Growth Mindset approach.
Therefore, we should believe that everything is possible and let’s do it with full willingness and determination. Making mistakes along the way is normal. If we learn, improve, and are ready to fix it, the results we want will definitely not be far away.
Read more at: What are Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset? And How Do They Affect Us?งไร?
