On a Growth Mindset
Shifting your mindset to win in life
Forging Greatness in Life
Life can be a grind. Daily challenges test our resolve. And countless opportunities challenge us to grow. And one factor stands above it all drives our ability to succeed or to fail, to win or to lose, and to grow or to die: our mindset. This short post is about embracing & mastering a growth mindset.
It’s said that humans have about 6.000 thoughts a day. That’s 250 thoughts an hour if you count all 24 hours. And far from us being able to audit all of these thoughts, most come and go subconsciously without our awareness. Our mindset then is the aggregation of these thoughts: is it positive or negative? is it productive or destructive? is it helpful or hurtful? and is it propelling us forward or holding us back? Our mindset is much like an operating system, dictating what we do and how we do it (often without us even knowing). Another way to think about it is that our mindset is the set of glasses we wear to see the world. Are you wearing rose colored lenses as they say, or something less bright?
And if you embrace what I’m about to tell you, I believe you will become a better version of yourself. This mindset will help you grow from investing, to parenthood, to friendship, to business success. I never promise investment returns, but I am confident in my promise to you about mindset. A growth mindset is key and lets you reach the sky.
Carol Dweck & The Growth Mindset
The concept of a "growth mindset," illuminated by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck in her groundbreaking work "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," has revolutionized our understanding of human potential.
Those who embrace a growth mindset—believing their abilities can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning—consistently outperform those trapped in a fixed mindset, who view their talents as static and unchangeable. This truth holds across all domains of human endeavor, from the boardroom to the playing field, from the laboratory to the stock market.
Here are three key studies from Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset that demonstrate its benefits:
The Mueller and Dweck (1998) study: This study involved 5th grade students who were given a set of problems to solve. After completing the first set, some students were praised for their intelligence ("You must be smart at these problems") while others were praised for their effort ("You must have worked hard at these problems").
When given a choice for future tasks, those praised for effort (growth mindset) chose more challenging problems and showed more resilience when facing difficulties. They also performed better on subsequent tests compared to those praised for intelligence (fixed mindset).
The Blackwell, Trzesniewski, and Dweck (2007) study: This longitudinal study followed 7th grade students over two years. Some students were taught about the growth mindset - that intelligence can be developed. The control group didn't receive this teaching.
Results showed that students who learned about the growth mindset showed an upward trajectory in their math grades over the two years, while the control group continued to show declining math achievement typical of middle school years.
The Good, Aronson, and Inzlicht (2003) study: This study focused on stereotype threat and growth mindset. Seventh-grade students from low-income backgrounds were mentored throughout a school year. Some were taught that intelligence is expandable (growth mindset), while others received different messages.
At the end of the year, students who received the growth mindset mentoring showed significant improvements in their standardized test scores, particularly in areas where they were susceptible to stereotype threat.
Are you sold yet?
Now, let us explore three fundamental principles of the growth mindset, each illustrated through the lens of business, sports, and scientific research. As we delve into these principles, remember: the path to greatness lies not in avoiding challenges, but in embracing them as opportunities for growth.
Carol Dweck Growth Mindset Book
1. Truly & Deeply Embrace Adversity
Business: James Dyson's 5,126 Failed Prototypes
James Dyson, the inventor and founder of Dyson Ltd., exemplifies the growth mindset in his relentless pursuit of innovation through failure. Dyson's journey to create the world's first bagless vacuum cleaner is a testament to embracing adversity as a path to success.
Over the course of 15 years, Dyson built 5,126 failed prototypes before finally creating a successful version. Instead of viewing each failure as a setback, Dyson saw it as a crucial step towards his goal. He famously said, "I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures. But I learned from each one. That's how I came up with a solution. So I don't mind failure."
This mindset allowed Dyson to persist where others might have given up, ultimately leading to the creation of a multi-billion dollar company that has revolutionized household appliances. Dyson's story illustrates how viewing failures as learning opportunities can fuel innovation and lead to groundbreaking success
Sports: Kobe Bryant's Achilles Tendon Comeback
Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, exemplified the growth mindset in his response to a potentially career-ending injury. In April 2013, at the age of 34, Bryant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a game against the Golden State Warriors.
For many athletes, especially those in their mid-30s, such an injury could mark the end of their career. However, Bryant saw this devastating setback as a challenge to overcome. He famously posted on Facebook just hours after his surgery: "This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that?? I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not!"
Bryant's post captures the initial frustration, followed by the determination that characterizes a growth mindset. Despite the odds, he worked tirelessly through his rehabilitation. He returned to the court just eight months after the injury, defying expectations for recovery from such a severe injury.
Science: The Neurobiology of Growth Mindset
A groundbreaking study published in the journal "Nature Scientific Reports" in 2016 shed light on the neurobiological underpinnings of the growth mindset. The researchers, led by Myers et al., used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity in individuals with different mindsets as they responded to feedback and setbacks. What they discovered was remarkable: individuals with a growth mindset showed significantly different patterns of neural activity compared to those with a fixed mindset.
Specifically, the study found that individuals with a growth mindset had more neural connectivity between key regions associated with error-monitoring and emotional regulation. The anterior cingulate cortex, which is involved in detecting errors and conflicts, showed enhanced connections with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region crucial for emotional regulation and cognitive control. This increased connectivity suggests that a growth mindset doesn't just change behavior—it literally rewires the brain to be more adaptive in the face of challenges. Moreover, individuals with a growth mindset showed greater activation in areas associated with deep semantic processing when receiving feedback, indicating a tendency to engage more deeply with information about their performance. These findings provide compelling evidence that cultivating a growth mindset can lead to tangible changes in brain structure and function, potentially enhancing our ability to learn from mistakes and regulate our emotional responses to setbacks.
Growth Mindset Study
Practical Step: The next time you face a setback, pause. Instead of seeing it as a final verdict on your abilities, ask yourself: "What can I learn from this? How can I use this experience to grow stronger?" Write down three specific lessons or action steps you can take based on this setback.
2. Put In the Work & Love Effort:
Business: Satya Nadella's Microsoft Transformation
When Satya Nadella took the helm as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was struggling to adapt to the mobile and cloud computing era. Microsoft had become synonymous with a fixed mindset culture, often referred to as the "stack ranking" system, which fostered internal competition and stifled innovation. Recognizing the need for change, Nadella instituted a growth mindset culture, encouraging employees to become "learn-it-alls" instead of "know-it-alls." This shift was more than just a change in rhetoric; it represented a fundamental transformation in how the company approached challenges, innovation, and employee development.
The results of this cultural transformation were remarkable. Under Nadella's leadership, Microsoft successfully pivoted to cloud services with Azure, revitalized its hardware division with innovative products like the Surface line, and made strategic acquisitions like LinkedIn and GitHub. The company's market value increased by over $500 billion, demonstrating the transformative power of embracing continuous learning and effort. More importantly, employee satisfaction and creativity flourished. In his book "Hit Refresh," Nadella wrote, "The learn-it-all does better than the know-it-all." This simple yet profound insight has become a cornerstone of Microsoft's renewed success, showing how a growth mindset can rejuvenate even the largest and most established companies.
Sports: Jerry Rice's Legendary Work Ethic
Jerry Rice, widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, exemplifies the power of a growth mindset coupled with an unparalleled work ethic. Despite being drafted from a small school, Mississippi Valley State, Rice's approach to the game was anything but small. He was renowned for his grueling off-season workouts, which he called "The Hill." This consisted of a 2.5-mile uphill run that he would sprint ten times a day. Rice's former strength and conditioning coach, Jerry Attaway, said, "Jerry made it clear from the beginning that he was going to outwork everybody." This mindset allowed Rice to transform from a player considered too slow for the NFL into one of the most dominant forces in football history.
Rice's commitment to improvement didn't wane even at the peak of his career. He was often the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave, constantly working on his route-running, catching, and conditioning. His teammates and coaches marveled at his dedication. As former 49ers coach Bill Walsh put it, "Jerry Rice is the best example I've ever seen or heard about of somebody making himself great." Rice's work ethic was so intense that the 49ers had to institute a "Jerry Rice rule," forcing him to leave the practice facility by a certain time to prevent overtraining. Even in his 40s, long past the typical retirement age for NFL players, Rice continued to train with the same intensity. He once said, "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't." This growth mindset and relentless work ethic led Rice to set numerous NFL records, including most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns - many of which still stand today, years after his retirement.
Science: The Role of Deliberate Practice
A comprehensive meta-analysis published in "Psychological Science" in 2014 by Macnamara, Hambrick, and Oswald shed new light on the role of deliberate practice in achieving expertise. The researchers analyzed 88 previous studies covering a wide range of domains, including games, music, sports, education, and professions. Their findings revealed that deliberate practice - defined as engagement in structured activities created specifically to improve performance in a domain - explained 26% of the variance in performance for games, 21% for music, 18% for sports, 4% for education, and less than 1% for professions. This groundbreaking study challenged the popular notion that 10,000 hours of practice is the primary determinant of expertise, suggesting a more nuanced relationship between practice and performance.
While these results confirm that deliberate practice plays a significant role in achieving high levels of performance, particularly in more structured domains like games and music, they also highlight the complexity of skill acquisition. The study suggests that other factors, such as innate abilities, starting age, personality, and genetics, also contribute to expert performance. However, the researchers emphasize that deliberate practice remains a crucial component of skill development across all domains. This nuanced understanding aligns well with the growth mindset philosophy, which acknowledges the importance of effort and learning while recognizing that multiple factors contribute to ultimate success. The study underscores the value of persistent, focused effort in improving performance, while also highlighting the need for a holistic approach to skill development that considers individual differences and domain-specific requirements.
Deliberate Practice Study
Practical Step: Identify one area in your life or career where you want to improve. Commit to spending 30 minutes each day for the next month engaging in deliberate practice in this area. Keep a log of your practice sessions and reflect on your progress weekly.
3. Feedback and Learning from Others:
Business: Jim Simons' Renaissance of Continuous Learning
Jim Simons, founder of Renaissance Technologies, revolutionized the world of quantitative trading through his commitment to continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Simons, a former math professor and code-breaker, approached the financial markets with a unique perspective. He assembled a team of scientists, mathematicians, and computer experts - many with no prior finance experience - to analyze market data and develop trading strategies. This unconventional approach was rooted in Simons' belief that fresh perspectives and a willingness to learn were more valuable than traditional financial expertise.
Simons fostered a culture of open communication and constant feedback within Renaissance. He encouraged his team to challenge each other's ideas rigorously, creating an environment where the best ideas could emerge and evolve. This approach led to the development of the Medallion Fund, one of the most successful hedge funds in history, which has averaged annual returns of 66% before fees over a 30-year period. Simons once said, "Great people + great environment = great results." His success demonstrates how a growth mindset, coupled with a commitment to learning from diverse perspectives, can lead to extraordinary innovation and success in even the most competitive fields.
Sports: Nick Saban's Process-Oriented Feedback
Nick Saban, one of the most successful college football coaches in history, is renowned for his "Process" - a philosophy deeply rooted in continuous improvement and learning from feedback. Saban's approach emphasizes focusing on the present moment and the immediate task at hand, rather than getting caught up in long-term outcomes. This mindset allows players to concentrate on their personal growth and improvement, rather than being overwhelmed by the pressure of winning championships.
Central to Saban's Process is his approach to feedback and criticism. He creates an environment where players are constantly challenged to improve, with every aspect of their performance analyzed and critiqued. However, this criticism is always framed as an opportunity for growth rather than a judgment of worth. Saban once said, "The great players crave discipline. They crave the structure. They crave the feedback. They crave the coaching." This attitude has fostered a culture where players actively seek out constructive criticism, viewing it as a crucial tool for their development. The results speak for themselves: under Saban's leadership, the University of Alabama has won six national championships in 12 years, producing numerous NFL players and setting new standards for collegiate football excellence.
Science: The Impact of Feedback-Seeking Behavior
A groundbreaking study published in the "Academy of Management Journal" by Ashford and Tsui (1991) examined the relationship between feedback-seeking behavior and job performance. The researchers surveyed 387 managers and their subordinates in a large corporation, investigating how different types of feedback-seeking behavior correlated with managerial effectiveness. They found that managers who actively sought negative feedback - information about their weaknesses or areas for improvement - were rated as more effective by both superiors and subordinates.
This study revealed that seeking negative feedback was associated with higher levels of learning and adaptation in the workplace. Managers who actively sought out criticism were better able to align their self-views with others' perceptions, leading to more accurate self-assessment and targeted self-improvement efforts. Importantly, the study also found that the act of seeking feedback itself, regardless of its content, was viewed positively by others in the organization. This suggests that a growth mindset, characterized by openness to criticism and a desire for continuous improvement, not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to a positive organizational culture. The findings underscore the crucial role of embracing constructive criticism in personal and professional development, providing scientific support for the value of a growth mindset in leadership and organizational success.
Feedback Seeking Study
Practical Step: This week, seek out feedback from three different sources: a mentor, a peer, and someone you lead or teach. Ask them specifically: "What's one area where you think I can improve?" Listen without defensiveness, thank them for their insights, and create an action plan based on the feedback you receive.
The Timeless Wisdom of Stoic Growth
The principles of the growth mindset, while articulated and scientifically studied in recent decades, find their roots in ancient wisdom, particularly in Stoic philosophy. The Stoics, a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC, emphasized personal ethics, logic, and a view of the natural world based on reason and self-discipline. Key Stoic philosophers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius lived and taught principles that closely align with what we now call a growth mindset. They emphasized the importance of focusing on what is within our control, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, and constantly striving for self-improvement.
The Stoics understood that true growth comes not from external circumstances, but from our perceptions and responses to those circumstances. They advocated for continuous learning, self-reflection, and the cultivation of virtue through practice and effort. In many ways, the Stoics were living and teaching the growth mindset thousands of years before it was formally defined, demonstrating the timeless nature of these principles.
The wisdom of the Stoics resonates powerfully with the concept of growth mindset. Consider these quotes from famous Stoic philosophers:
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
"He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a living man." - Seneca
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it." - Epictetus
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius
"The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it." - Epictetus
These words, written nearly two millennia ago, encapsulate the essence of the growth mindset: embracing challenges, focusing on what we can control, and viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth.
Now, it's your turn to embody these timeless principles. I challenge you to adopt a growth mindset for the next 30 days. Here's how:
Each morning, set an intention to view challenges as opportunities for growth.
When faced with a setback, pause and ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?"
Seek out constructive feedback and receive it with openness and gratitude.
Replace fixed mindset phrases like "I can't do this" with growth-oriented ones like "I can't do this yet, but I'm learning."
At the end of each day, reflect on what you've learned and how you've grown.
Document your journey. Notice how your perceptions shift, how you handle challenges differently, and how your skills and abilities develop. After 30 days, reflect on your experience. How has your mindset changed? What new abilities have you developed? What challenges have you overcome?
Remember, as Epictetus said, "No man is free who is not master of himself."
Let’s all grow together.
The Best Is Ahead,
Victaurs