Growth Mindset: The Power of Yet
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| Fixed Vs Growth Mindset Meme. Created on Kapwing |
While watching a Sesame Street playlist on YouTube with my two year old son, I came across a song titled "The Power of Yet". They sing about challenges they face such as not knowing the words of a song, not being able to get a maths sum right, baking a recipe and it not turning out right etc. It goes on to show that all of them achieved their goal by continuing to try hard.
"You didn't do it right now, but you're trying; you'll learn how. You just didn't get it yet, but you'll get it soon I bet. That's the power of 'Yet'."I didn't fully get the value of this until I watched a Ted Talk by Carol Dweck.
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| Carol S. Dweck- Psychologist, Researcher & University Teacher. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Dweck explains that there are two mindsets: Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset. According to her, a Fixed Mindset is one that is afraid to try new challenges for fear of failure. People thinking like this would rather do the tasks that they are already good at, thus learning at a much slower pace if at all. They desire constant validation, and when a setback or deficiency threatens to reveal their limitations, they choose to run and hide from their shortcomings and mistakes. This mindset can be as a result of getting praise for intelligence, or being inherently good at something. They spend a lot of time thinking that things should be easy for them, and become disinterested when things eventually become challenging. This can lead to a complete lack of interest in education and learning.
The Growth Mindset is one that appreciates and even yearns a challenge. People with this way of thinking have a desire to learn at all times and at all cost. There is no lack of ability; abilities can be developed by anyone. They are simply activated by effort. If something is easy then you are not learning. Effort brings improvement. If you are unable to do something, it doesn't mean you fail. It simply means you can't do it... Yet. And that is how this one word has so much power. If you cannot do something yet, it implies that you will be able to do it eventually. Without this word, you have admitted defeat and convinced yourself that you are unable to do something. This mindset can be developed by praising the method and process used to achieve the result, rather than praising the end result on it's own. It can be as simple as the difference between:
"Well done, you must be very smart"
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"Well done, you must have tried very hard"
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| Miles Teller's character challenges himself constantly to improve his skills. Image Source: Flickr |
An example of this can be found in the movie Whiplash. Andrew Nieman is a jazz drummer in a distinguished school of music. He gets into an elite class and believes that his achievements are being recognised. At this point, Andrew is in a Fixed Mindset. When his teacher, Terence Fletcher, does not recognise his ability to be any better than the other drummers in the class, Nieman feels upset and perhaps a bit undermined. However, he decides to practise harder than ever and push himself beyond his limits. Once again, he believes he has done enough work worth praising. But when is faced with failure he comes close to giving up. Instead, he chooses to challenge himself once more and excels, finally earning the respect of his mentor. He is now in a Growth Mindset.
It should be noted that Fletcher's methods are drastic and harmful, and I'm not trying to condone this sort of cruel teaching.
I believe that Dweck's research is very accurate, and completely agree with her findings. From my own experiences of learning, and from my experience teaching children, I have first hand witnessed the benefits of the methods of teaching and learning that promote this way of thinking. Primary school was simple for me. I found spelling and maths easy, and could coast right through without trying too hard. Secondary school was a shock to the system, and when I found my grades slipping, I completely stopped trying. My first experiences in third level went the same way. This time around, I am invested in learning. I crave it. And it all comes down to frame of mind.
LITTLE goes a long way...
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