- The Productivity Blueprint
- Posts
- Does a “growth mindset” really help you succeed?
Does a “growth mindset” really help you succeed?
Welcome to The Productivity Blueprint newsletter 🗞️
Sorry we missed last week, we were off enjoying the summer weather here in Canada ☀️
In our last newsletter, we explored the overlooked benefits of zoning out and its potential for creativity and relaxation. You can catch up here 🙂
Today we’re looking at the growth mindset, a concept popularized by Carol Dweck. Let’s dive in!
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
The growth mindset, promoted by Carol Dweck in her book ‘Mindset’, suggests that believing in the malleability of intelligence and abilities can lead to success. However, research spanning nearly two decades challenges its effectiveness, especially in academic achievement.
Despite efforts to instill growth mindsets in students through interventions like inspirational posters, results have been disappointing. While a growth mindset may positively impact mental health, its influence on academic performance, particularly for high-achieving students, seems minimal. Critics highlight methodological flaws and publication bias in research, casting doubt on the true effectiveness of growth mindset interventions.
Ultimately, we’re left with this message:
“There doesn’t seem to be anything harmful about adopting or encouraging a growth mindset: It’s empowering to think that one’s abilities aren’t fixed. But teaching this viewpoint alone doesn’t jump-start the work ethic required to improve oneself. A growth mindset might sell a boatload of books (which often seems to be the ultimate goal of many psychologists), but it won’t propel individuals to success without investing time and effort into the areas where you want to improve, be it school, sports, or some other skill. You don’t need a psychology professor to tell you that.”
TL/DR: The growth mindset, although popular, faces challenges in proving its effectiveness, especially in academic achievement. Despite efforts to promote it in educational settings, results have been underwhelming. Critics question its true impact due to research flaws. While a growth mindset may benefit mental health, it's not a guaranteed path to success; real improvement demands more than just a change in mindset.
 A comprehensive platform for developing a growth mindset through online courses, workshops, and resources based on research by Carol Dweck and others. What we love: The wealth of resources and tools cater to various learning styles, making it accessible and effective for users seeking personal growth. |  Change the way you work by partnering you with an accountability partner for a live, virtual coworking session that will keep you on task (when a growth mindset isn’t enough to get your work done 🤪). What we love: The various session lengths! Choose between 25, 50 or 75 minute meetings to meet your task need. |
💡 Challenge of the week
Reflect on how you approach challenges, adopt a growth mindset by embracing learning and improvement, and set specific goals to apply this mindset in your daily activities.
That’s all for this newsletter! We hope you enjoyed learning more about the growth mindset and if it’s all its cut out do be.
Until next week,
The Productivity Blueprint Team
If you’re enjoying The Productivity Blueprint, spread the word by sharing the sign up link with a colleague or friend. We appreciate the support 🙏
Partner with The Productivity Blueprint!
Contact us to learn more.