Is Your Mindset Getting in the Way of Thriving at Work?

Which do you believe is more important for success, talent and intelligence or effort and persistence? Of course, it’s probably not such a clean dichotomy, but if you imagine a continuum with talent and intelligence on one end and effort and persistence at the other, do you lean more to one side in your beliefs about success? This theoretical continuum is what psychologists refer to as a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset.

A fixed mindset is based on the belief that when it comes to success at a particular task, you either have what it takes or you don’t. That is, your talents, intelligence, and character are such that success at that task comes easily or not at all. A growth mindset recognizes that people vary in their talents and intelligence, but is based on the belief that the most important determinant of success is effort. With regard to a specific task, if given enough time and enough effort, just about anyone could be successful.

Why is fixed versus growth mindset important? Plenty of research has shown that people who have more of a fixed mindset tend to give up when they encounter difficulty or struggle. Why? Well, if success is based primarily on inherent characteristics, then difficulties in attempting a task must indicate a lack of the right qualities, so why continue to struggle when success is unlikely? In contrast, people who hold more of a growth mindset are more likely to persist when they encounter hurdles. After all, success is ultimately based on effort, so persist and eventual success is likely.

In another post, I described the Big 4 universal human needs for flourishing. One of them is competence or capability—the belief that you are competent at those things that are important to you, and that you’re continuing to grow in your abilities. So, operating from a growth mindset is more useful in helping meet this fundamental human need or motivation. If a growth mindset does not come naturally for you, what can you do?

1. Reward Yourself for Amount of Effort Invested Rather Than Only Quick Successes

It seems more common to celebrate successes, and perhaps feel especially proud if that success came more easily than it does for others. It’s nice to feel different and special in a good way. Instead, try paying attention to the amount of effort you invest in your work, and pat yourself on the back for that investment. Tell yourself that success is inevitable if you persist, and look at how much effort you’ve generated already. As you continue to add to that pool of effort, you’re getting closer to reaching your goals.

2. Change Your Language to Reframe Your Experience

It seems natural to speak of failure and wasted effort, both of which imply finality. Catch yourself when you use these terms. Stop and intentionally correct your linguistic framing. Instead of “failure,” try “unsuccessful attempt.” Since success ultimately comes from effort, then this unsuccessful attempt is simply a common step in the process toward meeting your goals. Instead of referring to your time or effort as “wasted,” try referring to time or effort as “invested.” An investment pays dividends, perhaps not immediately. Did you learn anything from the time and effort you invested? How might those lessons aid in reaching your eventual success at the current task, as well as in future endeavors generally?

Instead of “I give up,” try “Let me try another way.” Instead of “This is so hard,” try “This will require more effort than I first imagined.” Instead of “I can’t believe I had that mistake,” try “Mistakes are the fuel of learning.” When things come easily and you think “I must be a natural at this,” remind yourself that practice will lead to becoming even better at it.

3. Redefine Productivity and Achievement as Based on Progress Rather Than Only Completed Tasks

We typically think of productivity and achievement in terms of completed tasks. Indeed, we refer to being productive according to how much we get done. We say we achieved something when we’ve met the goal. These tendencies result in what psychologists refer to as task completion bias. Because completed tasks are rewarding, we have a bias toward tackling small tasks, leaving the bigger ones perpetually looming. Does that sound familiar? Instead, try reflecting on the progress you made, despite the end still being in the future. Progress toward your goals is productive, so take credit and pride in the progress you achieve.

4. Choose Your Role Models Wisely

We tend to admire those for whom success seems to come easily and quickly. Sure, we would like to be those people. However, they are the small minority, and oftentimes we simply do not see the effort and time it took them to develop the abilities they have now, or the time and effort invested to achieve “sudden” success. For most, success requires effort and persistence. If that sounds like you, why not look for inspiration from successful people who got there because of their determination? There will be times when your motivation may be flagging. It’s then that you need to have people in mind who inspire you to keep going when things get tough, or the path seems long.

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5. Take a Longer View by Focusing on Your Growth and Lifelong Learning

There is the old adage about life being a marathon and not a sprint. A growth mindset applies that adage to your performance, growth, and learning. When you find yourself frustrated with slow progress or hitting roadblocks preventing any progress at all, try remembering to take a long-haul perspective. Growth and development is not a straight, upward-slanting line. There will be plateaus and small dips. The important thing is the longer-term trend.

Like most things, developing a growth mindset takes time and effort, and is not an all-or-nothing endeavor. The good news is that any movement in that direction is liable to be beneficial for your long-term success and experiencing a sense of thriving at work.