Limitless: Your Autobiography
Limitless: Your Autobiography
Do you remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? They were one of the most popular children’s book series in the 80’s and 90’s, and in a time where entertainment had been fairly static, they presented a new way to consume media.
Traditionally, you opened the book or turned on the television and just experienced what was presented. “Choose Your Own Adventure” books were different. At key plot points, they asked you to make a choice (one of two options), and you would go read in a different place in the book depending on what you chose. Readers could each experience a markedly different story, depending on their choices—all using the same book.
This is a good illustration of some of the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. There is always more than one path ahead; we just have to understand what our choices are!
When we are operating from a fixed mindset, we believe that our abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed or established traits. We believe that there are certain things we are able to do or not able to do. We might avoid challenges so we can steer clear of failure, and setbacks can be very discouraging, especially if we feel that our own inherent abilities are to blame. We might see failure as a sign that we are not able to do that thing—that it isn’t even within our capabilities.
Conversely, viewing the world with a growth mindset means we believe that our brains and talent are just a starting point. We believe we can develop our abilities and stretch our potential through dedication and hard work. We’re less likely to accept defeat or setbacks as stopping points, and rather view them as things to figure out, work around, and overcome. Dr. Carol Dweck, an American psychologist known for her work on motivation and mindset, says that having a growth mindset “creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
Let’s get a better idea of what this looks like. Both Emma and James are experiencing struggles at work and are having a hard time adapting. How they view their struggles is very different though, and their mindsets influence their actions and their outcomes.
Emma, who is firmly stuck in a fixed mindset, is facing the challenge of returning to the workforce after taking a career break to raise her children. It is harder than she expected, and there is so much she doesn’t know or understand. She sees the difficulties with re-integrating as a personal failure, internalizing the setback as a reflection of her abilities and worth. Each setback seems insurmountable. Fearful of judgment and societal expectations, Emma withdraws, choosing to keep her struggle hidden from friends and family.
Emma views returning to work after such a long absence as something she doesn’t have the ability to overcome, which feeds self-doubt and limits her potential for growth. Emma's fixed mindset leads her to believe that she’s unable to adapt and flourish in the face of the career re-entry challenge, and she gives up quickly.
Conversely, James embodies a growth mindset as he faces the challenge of adapting to a career change due to unforeseen industry shifts. His old job doesn’t really exist anymore, and he’s going to have to learn to do several things that are currently out of his skill set and comfort level. Viewing this setback as an opportunity for personal development, instead of something he doesn’t know how to do, James openly shares his experiences with friends and family, seeking advice and support. His growth mindset enables him to see this professional challenge as a stepping stone toward personal growth and resilience, and he works hard to rise to the new challenge.
What does James’ mindset help him do differently? He is able to view every experience, whether positive or negative, as an opportunity to learn and grow. Because he believes he can accomplish his goals, he is open about his struggles, seeking feedback and help from his trusted circle. He breaks down his larger goals into smaller, more manageable ones, and celebrates the learning and growth he gets along the way, even if it seems like there are setbacks at times. James believes these hurdles can all be overcome by perseverance and adaptability, and that he is endlessly capable, if he’s willing to put in the work.
For people such as Emma and James, embracing a growth mindset becomes a key to discovering untapped potential and leads to a more fulfilling existence. For us, constantly cultivating a growth mindset can help us be more willing to face new challenges, attempt things that might scare us, and believe we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to. If that’s not how we’ve been approaching life up to this point, it might be difficult to flex some new “mental muscles,” but the effort will be worth it.
What could you accomplish if you realized that many of your limits may be self-imposed, and you decided to remove them? What if you decided to “Choose Your Own Adventure” in your life? Come chat with me during my free office hours on Facebook every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 11 AM MST, or contact me on my website, and let’s talk about possibilities!