THE WALKING GURU

So do you have a Fixed Mindset or a Growth Mindset?

Once again, I am thrilled by the information Dr. Andrew Huberman provides in his podcast. What is the difference between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset? How can you use this information to motivate yourself to go further, challenge your performance, dare to risk more new or fun endeavors?

Here is my personal non-scientific summary:

No, it’s not two types of brains, rather two types of ideas or approaches, based on how you are currently “set up”. This current set-up is based on e.g. former experiences, what you have been told, etc.. In summary, a fixed mindset assumes that qualities and abilities are fixed and unchangeable, while a growth mindset recognizes that abilities are developed and expanded through dedication and a willingness to learn and experiment.

The current setup can be enhanced and lead to highly beneficial outcomes, in any area of life, in an astonishing simple way:

Huberman stresses that Feedback given in a specific way works like a motivating reward to dare to risk to continue and get better results:

Instead of describing the performance of yourself (or your colleagues, kids, friends) with adjectives or labels such as good, bad, talented, etc.., give a feedback using verbs that refer to specific actions that happened. Examples: “The way to kicked that ball in minute 34…”, “interrupting your singing to explain things about the song, cuts the flow”. This gives a clear indication what worked and what didn’t and motivates to explore and experiment more instead of shutting down motivation. Simple.

The Stress-Enhancing Mindset

Huberman also explains that there is such a thing as a Stress-Enhancing Mindset, that also enhances performance. Non-dangerous stress can be effective and motivating for performance. The chemistry in the body can work for you by providing extra energy. The knowledge about this alone can make you interpret and perceive stress as positive and boost performance.

Experiencing

Imaging you face your next stressful, not life-threatening situation and perceive it as a challenge, a growth opportunity, and experiment. That can change your stress-response from panic into curiosity about how else you can use this mega energy flowing through the body.

Break through the Box

Knowing this, you can no longer say: this is who or how I am, but this is how I used to think of myself. With this awareness you can no longer stick yourself or others in a Box. Neuroplasticity is not a fashion word, but the nature of nature: everything changes all the time.

The Bottomline

Once we accept that challenges can become exiting learning opportunities, and nor we nor our brains are set in stone the process of exploring and experimenting beyond the box becomes quite exiting. You don’t need to understand how a cell divides in order to grow hair. You don’t need to understand how and why the attitude thing works, just experience it!