What Is The Growth Mindset?

You can do anything, if only you believe

Imagine you have two people. One believes in born talent, that he and most other people have certain abilities they are just naturally good at, and some that they are naturally bad at. The second person believes that, while natural gifts are possible, it is also possible to improve his skills through effort.

Let’s say the first person believes their natural talent is photography. It comes easy to them; they take beautiful pictures of the countryside that surrounds their home, and all of their friends love the pictures. The second person has never touched a camera in their life, but one day feels inspired to learn it.

The one with “natural talent” begins to get frustrated. He is grateful that his friends enjoy his pictures, but worries if he will ever make enough money from his photography to quit his job and just do what he loves. He avoids learning marketing because it’s “not his thing.”

The second person, who believes ability is more a result of sustained effort, buys a camera and starts taking pictures. They could be better quality, but he has fun learning how the camera works. Feeling inspired one day, he reads a book about marketing, and starts putting his pictures on social media.