Fixed Mindset
Definition: The belief that intelligence, abilities, and talents are fixed traits that cannot be significantly developed.
A fixed mindset is the belief that your qualities are carved in stone. You have a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character—and nothing you do can change that in any meaningful way.
People with a fixed mindset tend to:
- Avoid challenges that might reveal inadequacy
- Give up easily when obstacles arise
- See effort as fruitless if you don't have "natural talent"
- Ignore useful criticism
- Feel threatened by others' success
The fixed mindset creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over. If you have only a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character—well, then you'd better prove you have a healthy dose of them. Every situation is evaluated: Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected?
The good news is that mindset is not permanent. Through awareness and practice, fixed mindset patterns can be shifted toward growth orientation. Understanding when and where your fixed mindset appears is the first step to changing it.