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A growth mindset assessment is a tool used to measure the degree of positivity or negativity in people’s minds. It is a quick diagnostic tool that helps to assess one’s mindset.
Before we go deep into the article, we must define the keywords “growth” and “mindset”. What is growth? What is mindset? Growth is a gradual increase in size, stature, or mental capacity. It is a progressive development. As humans, we cannot do without growth. Anything that is not growing is declining. Growth makes sure that we are matching the expected stature. This stature could be physical or mental.
Mindset can be defined as a state of mind. It is a mental attitude or inclination. It is a base conclusion in our mind irrespective of whatever is happening. Having said that, what is a growth mindset? A growth mindset is a mental inclination for progressive development. A person with a growth mindset is open to evolving and developing in some areas.
A growth mindset has a lot to say in the success stories of people. If you look at the lives of the famous, successful men and women in the world today, you will notice a familiar trend. That trend is not settling for less or giving up easily. A growth mindset sees beyond the present moment and looks into the future.
A growth mindset assessment helps to figure out some traits that allow growth or if we are contented with the current state. The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset.
Characteristics of Growth Mindset
Embraces learning:
Learning doesn’t stop. A growth mindset embraces learning and always wants to know more. No knowledge is a waste. They can come in handy at any time.
Resilience:
A growth mindset is a resilient mindset. Resilience is a trait of growth. The dictionary defines resilience as the capacity of a strained body to recover its shape and size after deformation. One with a growth mindset doesn’t dwell more on failure. It sees beyond it.
Not afraid to start again:
The fear of starting all over again has relegated some people to downfall. Because you failed once or twice didn’t mean you cannot be successful. Someone with a growth mindset is not afraid to start the process all over again. He is not bothered by the stress. He knows rest hasn’t come until he achieves success.
Sees failure as an opportunity to learn:
Failure is part of the journey for anyone who wants to be successful. A person with a growth mindset sees failure as an opportunity to learn. He looks back and analyzes why he has failed and looks forward. A person with a fixed mindset doesn’t learn from failure; only people with a growth mindset do. Failure is not a full stop for people with a growth mindset.
Embraces challenges:
Challenges are part of what makes us. They help to test and strengthen us. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges and see them as an opportunity to show what they are made of. Anyone who dodges challenges will not stand the test of time. Challenges are part of what makes us grow. A popular saying goes thus: “What does not kill you only makes you stronger”. Challenges are there not to scare us; they are there to test us on how far we have gone.
Beliefs mistakes are part of learning:
Mistakes are part of learning. If you are afraid to make mistakes, you will not try out things, especially new things. Such a person cannot grow. A growth mindset thrives on making mistakes. Once you make a mistake, you learn in the process. You know what should be done and what is not needed.
Open to constructive criticism:
Constructive criticism is feedbacks on our effort. A person with a growth mindset is open to constructive criticism. Constructive critics draw our attention to where we haven’t done well. They tell us we can do better. A person with a fixed mindset doesn’t want to listen, he accepts the situation as they are. No matter how perfect your work might be, it’s good to hear people out and listen to their opinion.
Beliefs effort is the road to mastery:
Success doesn’t happen overnight. We are on a journey to achieving our dreams and goals. The effort is a means to mastery. People with a growth mindset don’t believe in bending rules for their favor. They believe they can achieve anything on their own with the necessary effort.
What are the effects of growth mindset assessment
A growth mindset assessment helps to identify those traits that draw us back. It helps us to know for sure our state of mind. There are attributes that we need to improve on. A growth mindset assessment helps to identify those attributes. For instance, a person with a fixed mindset believes that they are born with a level of certain intelligence and talents that cannot be improved. This is not true. With a growth mindset assessment, we easily identify our strengths and weaknesses.
If we prioritize growth, growth mindset assessment is important. It can be compared to going to the hospital for a check-up and diagnosis.
Growth Mindset Vs Fixed Mindset
Do you know that the way we think affects our life? A Holy book says that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”. A man cannot grow past his wildest dreams. Our mindset doesn’t only affect how we feel; it affects what we can achieve. It affects whether or not we will stick to habits or develop new skills.
A man who sees himself as an island of knowledge cannot grow. Growth and learning work together. The more we grow, the more experienced we become. A growth mindset means that we believe that our talents and intelligence can be developed over time. On the other hand, a fixed mindset means that we believe intelligence is fixed and cannot be developed. Such a person believes that if he or she is not good at something, he can never be good at it.
What are the differences between the two mindsets?
- A growth mindset embraces flaws and mistakes as an opportunity to improve. A fixed mindset hides flaws and mistakes.
- A growth mindset accepts setbacks as part of the learning process. A fixed mindset is ashamed of failure and unmotivated to achieve set goals.
- A growth mindset sees intelligence as something that can be developed. A fixed mindset sees intelligence as a fixed and static asset.
- A growth mindset freely embraces challenges and risk probable failure. A fixed mindset avoids challenges to avoid the possibility of failure.
- A growth mindset sees other people’s success as inspiration. A fixed mindset sees other people’s success as a threat to his success.
- A growth mindset doesn’t give up easily. A fixed mindset gives up easily even at the slightest challenge.
How to develop a growth mindset
Change your belief:
If you notice you don’t have a growth mindset, the first step is to change your belief. Be ready to unlearn things you know and open to learning new things. To adopt a new mindset, you need to flush out all the ingredients of the previous mindset. Have a change of heart, change your perspective on life. Don’t be rigid with change, be flexible and ready to learn.
Prioritize success when setting goals:
Growth is not only about learning from mistakes, it is about achieving success. Please focus on the positive aspect of everything you are doing, try to get something out of it. Success motivates us to want to do more. When things are not going the way you want them, you can think about your little and big successes. They serve as a push. You may not be where you wanted to be, but at least you have achieved something.
Abolish negativity:
When you go for bigger things, the challenges will also be bigger. Eradicate negativity. They are little anti-growth that gets in our way to stop us. You are stronger than you think you are. Remove every form of negativity and believe you can do it.
Create a big dream: Do not settle for lesser dreams. Create a big dream. Don’t mind what anyone says about your dream; it is your dream, not theirs. Dream big.
Surround yourself with helpful people:
People can kill your ambition. With the right people around you, you can do better. People with a growth mindset will challenge you to go for the best. They will encourage you in downtimes and assist you in their way.
Finally, we are likely to grow from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. By default, we have the fixed mindset, it can be worked on. Normally, we would always want to have a growth mindset. It is a continuous process that can be developed. The goal is to recognize the fixed mindset components and reflect on ways to improve ourselves. A growth mindset assessment can assist in changing our mindsets. It consists of some personal, reflective questions.
A growth mindset equation = Fixed mindset + intense commitment to learning process + love for challenges + disregard for failure + a positive belief in outcomes.