Growth Mindset
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."
- Henry Ford
Mindset (you're state of mind) is HUGE. Your mindset defines your perspective on the world.
Recently there has been a lot of discussion surrounding this idea of "growth mindset". Let's explore what that means, how it affects you as a learner, and how it relates to your training here at Five Rings.
At it's core, the growth mindset is a belief that abilities / skills / intelligence can grow through effort. It takes practice (effort) to learn and become proficient at something new.
In contrast, a fixed mindset is the belief that people are born a certain way ... you either have "it" or you don't.
This has HUGE implications on how you learn, see challenges, perceive personal growth, and how you adapt on a daily basis.
How challenges are perceived.
A growth mindset-er sees challenges as fun, provocative, and something to work at.
A fixed mindset-er sees challenges as a threat to who they are / a sign of their inadequecy or failure.
A growth mindset-er believes that though they may not be able to do something hard right now in the present, with enough time, they will be. Thus, they firmly beleive they can't do it yet ... the implication is that they will be able to do it some day.
A fixed mindset-er sees challenges and failures as threats to their reputation / their identity / to who they are.
Five Rings is a growth mindset institution. We believe that everyone can grow their skills and abilities through hard work and effort. We are all in this together. We are a community of support, who praises risk-taking / acknowleges that true learning takes courage, putting out effort, and practicing grit. Learning is a full contact sport. It feels good to work hard and commit to the long-term process of learning ... getting a little bit better every day. Five Rings is a greenhouse of learning, skill development and talent! :-)
Face challenges, working hard, and growing beyond one's comfort zone are the markers of a growth mindset-er and the core elements of self-confidence and belief in self.
Check out these for a deeper understanding of growth mindset:
- Video #1 - Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: HERE
- Video #2 - Coach Tom, the Five Rings Youth program, and growth mindset: HERE
- Youth Curriculum Blog on Growth Mindset: HERE
So a questions for you:
- What mindset do you carry into the academy everyday?
- How can you commit even more to the growth mindset mentality?
- How does understanding what a growth mindset is help you put your Jiu Jitsu journey into context?
Let's commit to being a growth mindset-er!
Keep doing ... daily ... forever! ! !
