What is a

Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset, proposed by Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, describes people who see their qualities as fixed traits that cannot change. With a fixed mindset, talent is enough to lead to success and effort to improve these talents isn’t required: one is born with a certain amount of skill and intelligence that can’t be improved upon. 

Those who hold a fixed mindset believe that they are either good or bad at something based on their inherent nature. For instance, someone with a fixed mindset might say “I’m a natural born soccer player” or “I’m just no good at soccer,” believing that their athletic skills can’t be developed. Those with fixed mindsets may avoid challenges, give up easily and ignore useful negative feedback. The opposite of this fixed mindset is the growth mindset.

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