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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This book presents two ideas. The first is that greater success in all areas of life is achieved when people adopt a growth mindset, believing that capabilities can be improved over time, rather than a fixed mindset. In other words, to achieve success you need to believe in nurture over nature. This is because an individual with a fixed mindset will act to protect their sense of self-worth, avoiding challenges in order to avoid failure, rather than seeing them as opportunities for improvement. They are also more likely to be discouraged by any setbacks that occur and take them as an indication that they aren't good enough, rather than thinking they need to put in more time and effort.
The second major idea is that as a result, when children are praised for their intelligence or talent it embeds a fixed mindset and so instead they should be praised for the strategies and effort they have used to achieve results. In other words, instead of "Great job in the game today, you are really good at basketball!" we should say "Great job in the game today, looks like your hard work in training is paying off!"
However the book is very underwhelming overall. Firstly the author (Carol Dweck) has taken an idea that can be succinctly expressed in a few pages and has turned it into a novel. Second, Dweck exaggerates the importance of her framework, attributing any persons success to having a "growth mindset", downplaying the role of natural talent and cherry-picking examples to support her argument. Yes, Michael Jordan worked very hard, but it is ludicrous to suggest that he isn't also naturally talented. Thirdly, her research on this topic doesn't provide any quantitative evidence to back up her claims and consists mainly of "he said/she said" which is just poor science and disappointing from a "world renowned" Stanford University professor.
All in all, I think the two main ideas are mostly right with an important modifier. A growth mindset is probably helpful for reaching your potential in most fields of life. This doesn't guarantee that you will be the best in your field, but you will be the best that you can be. A fixed mindset makes it more difficult to put in the effort needed to realise your potential without being discouraged.
The second major idea is that as a result, when children are praised for their intelligence or talent it embeds a fixed mindset and so instead they should be praised for the strategies and effort they have used to achieve results. In other words, instead of "Great job in the game today, you are really good at basketball!" we should say "Great job in the game today, looks like your hard work in training is paying off!"
However the book is very underwhelming overall. Firstly the author (Carol Dweck) has taken an idea that can be succinctly expressed in a few pages and has turned it into a novel. Second, Dweck exaggerates the importance of her framework, attributing any persons success to having a "growth mindset", downplaying the role of natural talent and cherry-picking examples to support her argument. Yes, Michael Jordan worked very hard, but it is ludicrous to suggest that he isn't also naturally talented. Thirdly, her research on this topic doesn't provide any quantitative evidence to back up her claims and consists mainly of "he said/she said" which is just poor science and disappointing from a "world renowned" Stanford University professor.
All in all, I think the two main ideas are mostly right with an important modifier. A growth mindset is probably helpful for reaching your potential in most fields of life. This doesn't guarantee that you will be the best in your field, but you will be the best that you can be. A fixed mindset makes it more difficult to put in the effort needed to realise your potential without being discouraged.
A self-congratulatory book that over-generalizes a very simple concept: fixed mindset=bad, growth mindset=good. She says she'll tell you ways to change your mindset, but only gives vague examples or examples that won't apply to most. For instance, low-privilege children thrive under a growth-mindset teacher but she doesn't mention how those children do the following school-year under a normal (read: fixed mindset) teacher. Get rejected from your dream school? Just call and ask for feedback. One woman did that and the school was so impressed they decided to overturn the rejection and accept her for the following year. As if that's in any way normal and no, she doesn't get into any other possible result of the phone call such as being ignored or told a bunch of meaningless words. Around half the examples of the book are "I received a thankful letter from someone saying my book/lecture/whatever changed their life! Here's their story..."
I absolutely loved this book. it is a pretty simple concept but it really makes you reflect on your way of thinking and how you deal with challenges. As a manager and someone interested in self development I recommend this book. great read!
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I made it through about 30 pages, in which the author presents a simplistic classification of people. There are those with a growth mindset, who embrace challenges and are always looking to learn. Those with a fixed mindset stay in their safe zone and like to prove their abilities rather than grow from experiences.
This classification is problematic as there can be a third category of people who learn only to prove themselves as smart and successful. Secondly, I don't see embracing every challenge and finding new ones as a way to success since it is more strategic to play to one's strengths.
The theory along with the supporting anecdotes were motivational in a superficial way. I'm surprised doctorates can come up with such writing and sell millions of books.
This classification is problematic as there can be a third category of people who learn only to prove themselves as smart and successful. Secondly, I don't see embracing every challenge and finding new ones as a way to success since it is more strategic to play to one's strengths.
The theory along with the supporting anecdotes were motivational in a superficial way. I'm surprised doctorates can come up with such writing and sell millions of books.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Interesting and helpful- especially as an educator. I’ve heard much about growth vs. fixed mindsets since college, but it was nice to read a book about them and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned.
informative
slow-paced
Of the books that I have read so far this year, I would say that this one has had the most profound effect on me thus far. Before I read this book, you might have caught me saying things like "I honestly think that most people are stupid and just don't want to take the time to learn". How self-righteous is that? I now see how flawed this view is - it's the fixed mindset. I was thinking of people's intelligence as a fixed trait. I now see that it's not a dichotomy between stupid or smart people. It's people who kept learning and people who stopped learning. And, with the right mindset, people can always be taught to love learning again.
It's interesting how much this book makes you think about the way you approach certain things in your life like whether or not you take failure and criticism to heart or whether you view setbacks as a new challenge. This book has taught me that a growth mindset is the best way to approach the challenges of life. If you can learn to face your day and ask yourself what you learned and how you can take your experiences to make your life better and richer, then you can really do anything. I highly recommend this book.
It's interesting how much this book makes you think about the way you approach certain things in your life like whether or not you take failure and criticism to heart or whether you view setbacks as a new challenge. This book has taught me that a growth mindset is the best way to approach the challenges of life. If you can learn to face your day and ask yourself what you learned and how you can take your experiences to make your life better and richer, then you can really do anything. I highly recommend this book.