Why is Having a Fixed Mindset a Hindrance?

Oct 2, 2024

By Will Moore

Imagine you have everything you ever wanted – happiness, success, financial freedom, love. Sounds like a dream life, right?

But here’s the catch: only 8 out of 100 people get to experience their dream life.

That means 92 percent of people fail to achieve their life goals. Yes, you read that right – a whopping 92 percent! But have you ever wondered why you're not part of that elite 8 percent of achievers who excel in all core areas of life?

Well, the reason is the hidden enemy inside your head. Whenever you face a difficult task or set a goal, the enemy discourages you and tells you you are not good enough to accomplish it.

The invisible, rigid, insecure, and self-limiting enemy is called a fixed mindset.

Having a fixed mindset hinders your growth and potential. It makes you believe your abilities are unchangeable, causing you to avoid new challenges. This can hold you back from achieving your goals and adapting to new situations.

But no worries. This article will discover how a fixed mindset is the only hindrance between you and your dreams. While we won't promise you a "magic bullet," we'll offer a new psychology-backed way to look at the world that will help you level up your life.

Ready to dig deeper? let's go

What Are Fixed and Growth Mindsets?

Before we jump into dissecting the impact of a fixed mindset on your life, it's crucial to establish what "fixed" and "growth" mindsets actually mean. In a nutshell, having a fixed mindset means abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed traits. A person may think he can't do much to change their lot in life.

On the other side of the spectrum, having a growth mindset means believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. These people relish challenges, embrace failures as learning opportunities, and see effort as the path to mastery.

Fixed mindset characteristics: What are they, and how do they hold you back?

1. Avoiding the Challenges

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." Les Brown

People who believe their abilities are set in stone avoid difficult tasks like the plague. They think success is playing “hide and seek” and they always pick the “hide” spot!

In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck gives the example of famous tennis player John McEnroe to explain how people with a fixed mindset feel threatened by problems" Dweck writes:

John McEnroe was among the most talented tennis players ever to set foot on a court. But he was also one of the most fixed-minded players. He believed that champions were born, not made. He thought that if he wasn't instantly good at something, like clay-court tennis or winning the French Open, it wasn't worth his effort. And he fell apart when he lost.

Just like McEnroe, all fixed-mindset people avoid challenges, missing out on opportunities for skill improvement. Their fragile ego couldn't handle failure or personal criticism.

2. Giving up easily

According to a survey, 64% of people give up their New Year’s resolutions within a month. They aim too high and lose motivation when they don’t see immediate results. They fail to build momentum and a system to get better every day.

On the other hand, the secret to success is being consistent rather than ambitious. By making small efforts every day, one can get remarkable outcomes over time, thanks to the compounding effect. But fixed-minded people tend to lack patience and quit sooner than a sloth on a treadmill, believing they are meant to fail.

2. Ignore negative feedback

Imagine a software developer who creates apps with a fixed design. Despite users suggesting features, they ignore feedback. Over time, their apps remain the same, missing a chance to innovate. Just as adding new functionalities enhances an app, embracing feedback enhances skills, leading to growth and better life solutions.

However, when fixed-minded people receive negative feedback – it's like they just won the lottery of nightmares! That's how they perceive it.

4. Consider failure as a lack of ability

A fixed-minded person believes their abilities are inherent and cannot be changed. As a result, they will never be able to achieve their true potential.

According to Carol Dweck, "If success means they're smart, then failure means they're dumb. That's the fixed mindset''.

How Fixed Mindsets Limit You in Core Areas of Your Life?

Now you know what are the core characteristics of a fixed mindset. It’s time to get aware of how it limits you in all 5 cores of life.

It sabotages your career and finances

Your mindset significantly impacts your career and financial prospects, either holding you back or propelling you forward. For instance, suppose you are looking for your first job. You find many job openings that suit your interests and qualifications, but they also ask for some skills you lack. How do you react?

If you lack a growth mindset, you will feel hopeless and not even apply. You may think your abilities are fixed and unchangeable. You will be afraid of failing and being rejected, and lose a great opportunity to learn new skills.

Not only that, this also applies to other aspects of career and finances, such as salary negotiations and investments. A fixed mindset can make you settle for less than you deserve because of fear of being unworthy or offending others. You would only invest money and build assets if it seems easy and safe. You avoid taking risks and end up a failure.

In contrast, a growth mindset sees every problem as an opportunity to explore their potential. They know the only person who never wins is the one who never tries.

Learn More: How to Win at Life

Damage your relationships

Nearly 68% of marriages crumble because of one simple issue—communication. Good communication is like the heart of an emotionally healthy relationship, but it often goes haywire because we're too stuck in our own ways.

A fixed mindset makes you believe that your personality and your partner's traits are set in stone. You would think relationships are meant to be or not and that compatibility happens and never changes.

This thinking can cause issues like avoiding responses, not expressing needs, and not listening to your partner. It also leads to neglecting self-improvement, not appreciating your partner's efforts, and avoiding conflict resolution.. Trust and love might fade, and the relationship could end.

Harms physical and emotional health.

Research has shown that young people who think their abilities can't change have a 58% higher chance of experiencing severe anxiety and depression than those who believe they can improve.

Not only that, it can also increase your risk of dying early. A study found that individuals who perceived themselves as less active than others had a 72% higher mortality risk compared to those who perceived themselves as more active. That's alarming.

How can your thoughts be so powerful? Well, here's a story of a cancer patient featured in the NY Times that describes the power of a growth mindset on your health.

Mr Wright was diagnosed with cancer and given only days to live. He begged his doctor to give him an experimental drug, Krebiozen, which he believed could cure him. His doctor injected him with water, pretending it was the drug, and his tumors melted away. He was overjoyed and felt healthy again. But when he read a report that Krebiozen was worthless, he died two days later.

So, do you believe abilities are fixed and cannot be changed? If so, you might be harming your health more than you realize.

Learn More: How to Change the Way You Think

The Science Behind Fixed and Growth Mindset

You are aware that your mindset is limiting your potential, but you still struggle to leave your comfort zone. What makes it so hard? Here are some factors that keep you stuck in this state.

Bad habits

Bad habits are like cozy blankets on a chilly morning - they can make change feel less inviting!

For example, a USC psychologist named Wendy Wood, Ph.D., discovered that many of our daily activities—like shopping, exercising (or not), and talking to others—are based on habits and, therefore, hard to change.

Her studies reveal that much of what we do is done frequently enough in the same situation to become habitual. This can make people spend more effort on concealing their weaknesses than improving them, which can limit their potential.

Early Experiences

Early experiences can shape an individual's beliefs about their abilities and potential.For example, if a child is praised for their intelligence rather than their effort, they may develop a fixed mindset and believe their abilities are innate and unchangeable.

Cultural Influences

Cultural values and beliefs can also influence mindset. For example, in a culture where having a good job is considered the norm, and pursuing a business is discouraged or frowned upon, people may think getting high paying job is the only way to secure their life.

Self-Protection:

Individuals may adopt a fixed mindset as a form of self-protection. For example, if someone believes they are not good at a particular subject, they may avoid it altogether to protect their self-esteem.

How do we shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset?

1. Understand How Your Mindset Shapes Your Life

Your beliefs and actions over time determine who you become. I call it the Equation of Life

This concept can be illustrated by comparing two entrepreneurs:

Fixed Mindset Entrepreneur:

Belief: "My product is the best in the market."
Actions: Ignores market trends and feedback, limited promotion
Result: Business struggles to make sales or impact

Growth Mindset Entrepreneur:

Belief: "My product can solve my target audience's problems."
Actions: Studies customer needs, incorporates feedback, builds relationships
Result: Successful business that brings value and inspires others

The equation of life holds to any situation. Whether you want to acquire a new skill, begin a new relationship, or advance in your career, you can use the equation of life to identify what prevents you from reaching your goals.

2. Cultivate Growth-Oriented Habits

To break free from fixed mindset patterns, develop these key habits:

a) Embrace challenges: Instead of avoiding difficulties, actively seek them out. When faced with a tough task, remind yourself, "This is an opportunity to grow." Start with small challenges and gradually increase their complexity.

b) Celebrate progress and effort: Keep a "progress journal" where you document small wins daily. Set aside time each week to reflect on your advancements, no matter how minor. This practice reinforces the value of consistent effort.

c) Learn from others: Build a diverse group of mentors and peers who can offer different perspectives. Schedule regular check-ins with them to discuss your progress and seek advice. Attend workshops and webinars, or join online communities in areas you want to improve.

Learn More: 7 growth mindset questions to propel your momentum

3. Set Better Goals

Make your goals challenging and specific. Instead of "I want to improve my body shape," try "I want to lose 10 pounds and run a 5K within three months." Read more about how to set goals effectively in this guide, '7 Steps to Goal Setting'.

4. Practice Self-Reflection

Regularly assess your thoughts and actions:

Are you avoiding challenges or embracing them?
Do you see feedback as criticism or as valuable input?
Are you learning from setbacks or getting discouraged by them?

You can read this guide for more self-reflection ideas: Self-reflection questions for growth

5. Change Your Language

Adopt growth-oriented language in your internal dialogue:

Practice the "Yet" technique. When you catch yourself saying, "I can't do this," immediately add "yet" to the end of the sentence. For example, "I can't code yet" or "I'm not good at public speaking yet." Do this consistently for 30 days to rewire your thinking.

Replace "This is too hard" with "This may take some time and effort."
Shift from "I'm not good at this" to "What am I missing? How can I improve?"

Appreciate the journey of learning and growth, not just the end result. Celebrate the effort you put in, the strategies you try, and the progress you make along the way.

Remember, shifting your mindset is a journey. Be patient with yourself and consistently apply these strategies. Over time, you'll find yourself naturally embracing a growth mindset, opening up new possibilities for personal and professional development.

Do you have a fixed or growth mindset?

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to analyze which category you fall in

Do you believe you are born with a certain amount of intelligence or talent, or can you improve them with practice?
Do you enjoy learning new things or stick to what you already know?
Do you seek challenges, or do you avoid them?
Do you persist in facing difficulties, or do you give up easily?
Do you view feedback as helpful or as harmful?
Do you learn from your mistakes, or do you ignore them?
Do you feel inspired by the success of others, or do you feel jealous?

If you said yes to four or more of them, you should change your life choices because you might be in the majority of people who fail to achieve their dream life.

Ready to Transform Your Mindset and Level-Up Your Life?

You've just embarked on a crucial journey of understanding why having a fixed mindset can be a roadblock in your life. From career growth and relationship management to your overall mental and physical well-being, your mindset is the epicenter of it all.

Are You Stuck in a Fixed Mindset Loop?

We get it. You're tired of trying self-improvement methods that promise the moon but deliver dust. You want something that's not just research-backed but also personalized to you. Something that speaks directly to your entrepreneurial spirit, to your pain points in maintaining a growth mindset across all 5 Cores of your life.

Take the First Step Now!

Don't let another moment slip away in inertia or self-doubt. You deserve a balanced life, and it starts with upgrading your mindset.

👉 Take our Core Life Quiz NOW👈

This isn't just another quiz; it's a starting point for lasting change. You'll get a clear snapshot of where you currently stand in the 5 Core Areas of happiness: Mindset, Career and finances, Relationships, Physical Health, and Emotional Health, and what needs to improve. Let's take this first step

FAQs

What is a mixed mindset?

A mixed mindset is a combination of both growth and fixed mindset characteristics. It means a person may exhibit growth mindset traits in some areas of their life or for certain abilities, while maintaining a fixed mindset in others. An example would be someone who has a growth mindset about their artistic abilities, believing they can improve with practice, but a fixed mindset about their mathematical skills, thinking they're "just not a math person."

What are some examples of fixed mindset self-talk?

Fixed mindset self-talk often includes phrases like:

"I'm just not cut out for this"
"I've always been bad at public speaking"

"Why try? I'll probably fail anyway"