Sometimes a single idea can change our way of seeing life. This is what happened with the work of Carol Dweck, an American psychologist who revolutionized the concept of intelligence and success. Her name may not sound familiar to you right away, but if you've ever heard of a growth mindset, you've already come into contact with her vision.
Everything started from a simple question
During her studies, Dweck noticed something curious: when faced with a difficulty, some people freeze, become discouraged, and convince themselves that they are not enough. Others, however, seem to motivate themselves even more, as if the mistake were a push to do better. From there, she asked herself:
“What really makes a difference in how we face challenges?”
Spoiler: it's not talent. It's the way we think about talent.
Two ways of seeing oneself
From this insight, Dweck developed the concept of mindset, which we could translate as "mental attitude."
According to her, there are two main approaches:
- Those with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities are what they are: you’re either talented or you’re not. If you fail, it’s because you’re not cut out for that thing. End of story.
- Those with a growth mindset, on the other hand, start from the idea that one can always improve. Skills develop, mistakes help us understand, and every failure is a step forward.
A simple idea, an enormous impact
It may seem like just a nuance of thought, but in reality, this concept has changed the way we work in schools, businesses, sports... and in everyday life.
Teachers who stop labeling students as "good" or "bad," managers who value effort more than results, parents who help their children not to be afraid of making mistakes.
All of this thanks to an idea: you are not born "this way," you can become whoever you want if you are willing to learn.
An interesting curiosity
One of Dweck's most surprising discoveries concerns the way we praise others. Have you ever told a child "You are so smart"? It seems like a nice compliment, but according to research, it risks pushing them toward a fixed mindset.
Instead, saying: "You did a great job, it's clear that you put in effort," helps him focus on the process rather than the result.
Small change in wording, big difference in how it grows.
A message that is valid for everyone
Carol Dweck's work is an invitation to look at ourselves with new eyes. We are not "good" or "bad" in an absolute sense. We can learn, change, and improve.
It's not easy, and it doesn't happen overnight. But we can start right away, perhaps by changing the way we react to a mistake or a challenge.
Ultimately, the growth mindset is a daily reminder: you are not stuck where you are. You are on a journey. And you can choose where to go.