Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck found, after years of research, that there is a huge difference in success when you hold a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. As the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success writes, "In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them.... In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work-brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment." 

What about you?  Would you say in general you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? 

One coaching client, Laura, understood that to move to the next level professionally she would need more education to gain the skills she currently did not have.  She understood there could be a financial investment, and that she would need to gather more support from those closest to her.  In contrast, another client held firmly to the inflexible and limited mindset that her coworkers advanced in their careers because they already had the skills or talents she didn't have or could not develop.  She was where she was because she did not have what it took to advance further. 

If you tend to have a fixed mindset, it's not too late. Here are four steps to get you started:

1. Replace the attitude of "that's impossible" or "why bother" with a focus on what's possible.
2. Avoid telling yourself you are stupid, a failure.  Instead ask what can you learn?  What can you do differently?
3. Consider who can support you and what resources you will need to grow spiritually, emotionally and professionally.
4. Ask a trusted truth-telling friend to point out when you are stuck in a negative, fixed mindset.

While a fixed mindset does take time and effort to replace, be willing to take one small step toward thinking differently. If an important person like a teacher, husband, or sister communicated that you can't learn and grow, it's easy to continue to carry this perspective.  Don't allow your mindset to master you. Rather master your mindset.