The Power of The Human Mind
"You can do anything you set your mind to" -Benjamin Franklin
The amount of power within the human mind is phenomenal; Your life is a reflection on the mindset you have. You are here today because this is where your thoughts have brought you just as your mind will determine the person you will be in the future. The mindset is so powerful that it can either drown you into failure and enslave you or it can rise you into success and empower you. Learn to use this powerful force wisely.
If you aren’t where you want to be, it’s time for you to take control over your life and change it. For you to see changes in your life you have to begin by changing your mindset.
What has the power to change/shape the human mind?
What has the power to change/shape the human mind?
For one to fully understand what can be done to change the human mentality, one must acquire information regarding the types of mindsets. I came across Mindset: The New Psychology of Success written by Professor Carol Dweck. Dweck has developed research and studies to analyze the human mindset and concluded that there is two types of mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. According to Dweck's research, the growth mindset is the right mindset that will lead you to a successful life.
Take a look at the following slides that contain quotations from the book.
The fixed mindset, unable to be changed. People with the fixed mindset do not step out of their comfort zone, they put themselves in a position where there is no opportunity for growth. People with the fixed mindset do not believe in growth, they believe in inherited talent, inherited traits that will determine whether they are successful or not.
Incompatible with the fixed mindset, the growth mindset seeks opportunities that will allow them to expand, develop, and simply continue to grow. The growth mindset likes to try new things, the growth mindset likes a challenge.
Incompatible with the fixed mindset, the growth mindset seeks opportunities that will allow them to expand, develop, and simply continue to grow. The growth mindset likes to try new things, the growth mindset likes a challenge.
Do we inherit this mindset? How have we obtained this mindset?
The human mind is constantly being influenced, especially at an early age. Children learn what they live. If a child is revolved around fixed mindset people, the child will most likely develop a fixed mindset.
The human mind is constantly being influenced, especially at an early age. Children learn what they live. If a child is revolved around fixed mindset people, the child will most likely develop a fixed mindset.
Throughout the book, Dweck mentions "Every word and action can send a message."(177,Dweck) In fact, the influence parents have on their children and their development has been scientifically proven. Scientists conducted research to analyze the influence the family has in the development of a talent in a sport. Throughout this process, "Several studies have shown that parents of committed individuals in various domains tend to espouse values related to the importance of achievement, hard work, success, and being active and persistent (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 1993; Monsaas, 1985; Sloboda &Howe, 1991; Sloan, 1985; Sosniak, 1985)"
"Several studies have shown a positive relationship between parental expectations and their children’s success and enjoyment of sport (e.g. McElroy& Kirkendall, 1980; Scanlan & Lewthwaite, 1985). On the other hand, several other studies have shown that parental expectations can become a source of pres-sure and stress that can interfere with their children’s participation in sport (e.g.Brustad, 1988; Scanlan, Stein, & Ravizza, 1991; Weiss, Weise, & Klint, 1989)."
Therefore, the mindset is constantly being influenced and it is a reflection of what we picked up when we were children depending on the people we were surrounded from. That includes family members and teachers, as Carol Dweck mentions in her research, "It tells children-or students, or athletes- how to think about themselves." (177, Dweck).
"Several studies have shown a positive relationship between parental expectations and their children’s success and enjoyment of sport (e.g. McElroy& Kirkendall, 1980; Scanlan & Lewthwaite, 1985). On the other hand, several other studies have shown that parental expectations can become a source of pres-sure and stress that can interfere with their children’s participation in sport (e.g.Brustad, 1988; Scanlan, Stein, & Ravizza, 1991; Weiss, Weise, & Klint, 1989)."
Therefore, the mindset is constantly being influenced and it is a reflection of what we picked up when we were children depending on the people we were surrounded from. That includes family members and teachers, as Carol Dweck mentions in her research, "It tells children-or students, or athletes- how to think about themselves." (177, Dweck).
What has the power to change/shape the human mindset?
The fixed mindset is something that can be changed, as we have read it is something that is constantly being influenced. Do not let this mindset that you have picked up from your childhood take over your life. Instead of continuously feeding the fixed mindset, one can learn to posses the growth mindset. You have to take control over your life, "because countless successful people have proven it can be done. At the end of the day, they are just as human as you or I. So, if they can do it – so can you!" There are many factors that shape the human mindset, but only you have the power to change it. Learn to hear your fixed mindset voice, if you are unable to identify it you will be unable to change it. And most importantly, think with the growth mindset when you are facing challenges.
The fixed mindset is something that can be changed, as we have read it is something that is constantly being influenced. Do not let this mindset that you have picked up from your childhood take over your life. Instead of continuously feeding the fixed mindset, one can learn to posses the growth mindset. You have to take control over your life, "because countless successful people have proven it can be done. At the end of the day, they are just as human as you or I. So, if they can do it – so can you!" There are many factors that shape the human mindset, but only you have the power to change it. Learn to hear your fixed mindset voice, if you are unable to identify it you will be unable to change it. And most importantly, think with the growth mindset when you are facing challenges.