Priscilla's Blog

Book Review – Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.d.

The only constant thing in life is change and the only way you can choose change is through decisions.

Overall, the decisions we make changes our reality and I’ve come to realize that there is a guiding factor behind every decision we make as individuals. 

It doesn’t just happen that a person grows to be super ambitious and as a result becomes wealthy and influential while another person struggles to dream big. 

It takes someone with an expanded mind to dream big. Sometimes, even people with the greatest exposures still dream little…

What then sets a person up to making amazing decisions?

The answer is Mindset.

In this book, two types of Mindset exists; the Fixed Mindset and the Growth Mindset. 

One can move from the Fixed Mindset to the Growth Mindset and vice versa. However, nurturing one’s mind to maintain the growth Mindset consistently is an incredible feat that can occur with the human mind.

Your Mindset determines who you become. 

Are you that person that goes for what they want regardless of the many setbacks faced or you just quit because if you really were made for it, it wouldn’t be that tedious?

Mindset is like a block. In the process of creating it, you can make it into whatever shape, size and form you want but once it solidifies, it becomes really difficult to change its form, however not impossible.

Your Mindset affects everything you do and everyone you meet. 

How you act on your job, in your relationships, with your partner, with your family is a result of your Mindset.

The growth Mindset seeks to always improve you to be better. The goal of the growth Mindset isn’t to be seen as perfect, ready made and without fault.

The fixed Mindset on the other hand wants to be seen as smart, the best, without wrong among other things. 

Case study – 

Damisi who has been super excellent at the game of chess in UCLA has the opportunity to compete with other champions from other schools.

Now, we’ll explore the different decisions that may be made based on the two Mindsets.

Fixed Mindset- 

Damisi shouldn’t attempt challenging other champions; what if they are actually better than him. 

Growth Mindset– 

This is an opportunity for him to learn more from other champions and if he puts in a lot more effort than others, he could actually emerge as the overall champion.

Let’s talk about efforts?

I’ve heard a number of people say, “if that opportunity was meant for me it shouldn’t have been that tedious to accomplish”.

It is important to know that regardless of the label you have gotten earlier, you need to put in much more effort to achieve your goals.

Life tasks don’t  get easier and so does putting in effort. The fact that a task is tedious and stretching is testament to the fact that you need to put in much more effort (depending on the circumstance) and not necessarily quit.

This book talks about how society, family, teachers among others create and help build the different kinds of Mindsets in people.

You cannot give what you do not have so most times, these important  figures in the society project what they feel and know to the ones they impact upon.

This is an insightful book that I think everyone, (especially those who have wards in formative years in their care) should read.

Would you be reading this book?

I will be happy to read your thoughts through the comment section .

Thank you for reading my review and hopefully, Mindset by Carol S. Dweck.