Feature story: Mindset

 
In life, we all face moments when things don’t go the way we want. Sometimes we get low marks, face rejection, or feel like we’re not doing good enough. These situations can make us feel sad and unsure about ourselves. But what really makes a difference is how we deal with these moments. Some people take failure to heart and give up. They think that failure means they’re not good enough. But there are others who, even after failing, keep trying. They don’t let failure stop them. They stand up again and move forward no matter how tough it gets. But why does this happen? Why do some people stop while others keep going? The answer is simple. It depends on how we think about ourselves. It depends on our mindset.

Mindset means how we see our abilities and what we think we can do. It affects how we deal with hard times and how we see success. Our mindset doesn’t just affect one part of our life. It affects how we live every day. It plays a big role in the choices we make and how we react when things get tough. If we have a positive mindset, we can see hope even in difficult times. But if we think negatively, we may feel stuck and hopeless.

There are mainly two types of mindset 
fixed mindset
growth mindset 
These two ways of thinking decide how people handle challenges. 
People with a fixed mindset believe that their talents and intelligence cannot change. They think they are either good at something or they’re not. So, when they fail at something, they feel like they’re not capable. They avoid challenges because they’re scared of failing. They don’t like to take risks or try new things, thinking it will show they’re not good enough.

Carol Dweck gives the example of a student who believed that if he had to work hard for a task, it meant he was not good at it. When this student got a low grade. he gave up rather than work harder because to him, "Working hard means I am not smart at this task.”
Book : ( mindsets, The New Psychology of Success ) 

On the other hand, people with a growth mindset believe they can get better with effort, learning, and time. They don’t give up easily because they know failure is just a part of learning. For them, failing doesn’t mean they’re not smart. It just means they need to try again. They believe they can improve by working hard. That’s why they are not afraid of challenges. They keep going and keep learning even when things don’t go smoothly.

There are many real life stories that prove the power of a growth mindset. Take Michael Jordan for example. He is one of the greatest basketball players ever, but he was once cut from his school team. He didn’t give up. He practiced day and night and worked hard on his weaknesses. Because of his mindset and efforts, he became a star. Another example is J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. She faced many rejections from publishers before her book became a worldwide hit. She didn’t stop believing in herself. Her growth mindset helped her achieve her dream.
This difference in thinking changes everything. In school, students with a fixed mindset often stop trying when they face a hard subject. They say things like, “I’m just not good at this,” and give up. But students with a growth mindset don’t think that way. Even if something is difficult, they believe they can get better by practicing more. Instead of quitting, they try new ways to understand and learn. They also ask for help and put in extra effort. They don’t let failure stop them. They keep going.

This also matters at work. A person with a fixed mindset may avoid difficult tasks or new work because they’re scared of making mistakes. They don’t want others to think they’re not good enough. But someone with a growth mindset is open to new things. They know it’s okay to make mistakes while learning. They accept challenges, work on their weak areas, and grow in their career.

In our personal life, mindset matters too. In relationships, someone with a fixed mindset might believe they are not good at expressing themselves. They avoid deep talks or problems because they feel they can’t change. But a person with a growth mindset believes they can learn how to talk better and improve their relationships. They try to understand others, listen more, and speak kindly. With time and practice, they become better at handling relationships.

But where do these mindsets come from? How do we start thinking this way? Our mindset starts forming when we’re young. It is shaped by the people around us like parents, teachers, and friends. When kids are often told, “You’re so smart,” they start thinking that being smart is something you’re either born with or not. If they fail at something later, they may feel like they’re not smart anymore. This can lead to fear of failure.

But when kids are praised for their effort, like “You worked really hard on this,” they learn that hard work matters more than just being smart. They begin to believe they can improve with time and effort. These kids are more likely to try again after failing because they know that working hard will help them grow.

Our society also plays a part. Many times, we hear people say, “She’s just naturally talented,” or “He was born with this gift.” This can make us believe that success comes only from talent. Social media makes it  worse. We only see the good moments in people’s lives, not the struggles or failures. This can make us feel like we are behind. But we need to remember that everyone goes through hard times. Success doesn’t only come from talent. It comes from effort, learning, and a lot of courage.

A psychologist, Carol Dweck, did research on mindsets. She found that students with a growth mindset do better in school. They feel more confident and stay motivated even when things are hard. Her research showed that students who believed they could improve with effort were more ready to face challenges and were more likely to succeed. Because of her work, many teachers now try to help students focus more on learning than on just getting good grades.

Even science supports this idea. Our brain has something called neuroplasticity, which means it can grow and change. When we learn new things, the brain makes new connections. This means we can improve and become smarter through practice and time. So a growth mindset is not just about staying positive. It is supported by science.

So what do we learn from all this? The biggest lesson is that we can change our mindset. Even if someone has a fixed mindset now, they can develop a growth mindset. It starts with small changes. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try saying, “I can’t do this yet.” Focus more on trying and learning instead of only winning or being perfect. It’s also important to be around people who support your growth and make you feel stronger, not weaker.

In the end, our mindset shapes how we live our life. A growth mindset gives us the courage to keep trying even when life gets hard. It helps us face problems, learn from our mistakes, and keep moving forward. It doesn’t mean everything will always be easy, but it gives us the strength to keep going no matter what comes our way.