All 56 agreed—the biggest thing that stands in the way of our success is us.
While presenting to a small group of people this week, I asked the question, “What is the #1 thing that gets in the way of your success?”
Their answer is, frankly, the answer I always get when I ask.
“I am the biggest thing in the way of my success.”
Talent isn’t the missing link to success. Brains are certainly important, but not the element. Team isn’t the puzzle piece either. Nor is money.
Your mindset holds the key.
A world-renowned Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck, cracks open the idea that mindset makes the difference. More important, she shares thoughts on how we develop the mindset we seek.
Fundamentally, Dweck says we have a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
In the fixed mindset, we believe our basic qualities—like our intelligence or talent—are fixed traits. We document these qualities instead of developing them. A fixed mindset believes talent alone creates success, and without effort. The fixed mindset creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over again.
When we’re in a growth mindset, we believe our most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. We have a love of learning and resilience essential for great accomplishment. In a growth mindset, we believe our potential is unknown.
Okay, I’m betting most of us wouldn’t argue with any of this. Pretty straightforward.
I’m more intrigued by how we can switch from a fixed mindset to a growth one, right in the moment.
Let’s say someone asks you to do something you feel is just headed in the wrong direction. You say it shouldn’t be done. Your mind is set, fixed, as everything you know clearly indicates this approach is headed for disaster or a dead end.
In a growth mindset, you’d handle the same situation differently. You’d stop and examine if it can’t be done “that way.” You’d consider whether the end result could be accomplished by following a different path. Now you’re putting effort into learning a new course to get you to the desired end point.
Today, you’re going to run into something triggering your fixed mindset. Recognize what just happened. Now flip on your growth mindset and discover a new way to the desired end.
Watch for it. Guaranteed something’s going to happen today. Now you have your opportunity to change your mindset in a small way.
The best thing about humans—we can learn at any age or in any situation.
Go forth and do great things,
Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams