Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Evergreen/5 min read
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A newer edition of this book can be found here.

After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset — those who believe that abilities are fixed — are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset — those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment.

In this edition, Dweck offers new insights into her now famous and broadly embraced concept. She introduces a phenomenon she calls false growth mindset and guides people toward adopting a deeper, truer growth mindset. She also expands the mindset concept beyond the individual, applying it to the cultures of groups and organizations. With the right mindset, you can motivate those you lead, teach, and love — to transform their lives and your own.

Key Concepts & Themes

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

  • Fixed Mindset - Belief that abilities are static traits
  • Growth Mindset - Belief that abilities can be developed through dedication

Core Principles

  1. Challenges - Growth mindset sees them as opportunities
  2. Effort - Viewed as the path to mastery, not a sign of weakness
  3. Feedback - Critical information for improvement, not judgment
  4. Setbacks - Learning experiences, not failures
  5. Others' Success - Inspiration and lessons, not threats

Mindset in Different Domains

  • Learning - Intelligence can be developed
  • Relationships - People can change and grow
  • Business - Organizations that learn outperform those that don't
  • Sports - Champions are made, not born
  • Parenting - Process praise over person praise

Connections to My Notes

Learning & Skill Development

Personal Development

Career & Professional Growth

Health & Resilience

  • Mental Health - Growth mindset for mental wellness
  • Stress - Reframing stress as growth opportunity
  • Flow State - Growth mindset enables flow states
  • Exercise - Physical abilities can improve

Applied Learning

Practical Applications

  1. Feedback Reception - Actively seeking constructive criticism
  2. Challenge Selection - Choosing tasks at the edge of ability
  3. Failure Reframing - "What can I learn?" instead of "I failed"
  4. Effort Celebration - Recognizing process over outcomes

Growth Mindset Practices

  • Language Shifts - "I can't do this yet" instead of "I can't"
  • Learning Documentation - Learning Log to track growth
  • Stretch Goals - Setting ambitious targets in Career Goals Framework
  • Failure Analysis - Regular retrospectives on setbacks

Synthesis with Other Books

Key Insights

For Learning

  • Struggle is not a sign of low ability but of learning
  • The brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use
  • Expertise comes from deliberate practice, not innate talent
  • Mistakes are information, not verdicts

For Leadership

  • Create environments where learning is valued over knowing
  • Model growth mindset through your own learning journey
  • Give process-focused feedback
  • Celebrate improvement and effort

Action Items

  • Audit fixed mindset triggers in different life areas
  • Create growth mindset affirmations for challenges
  • Track learning progress in Learning Log
  • Share growth stories to inspire others
  • Practice reframing setbacks as learning opportunities

Favorite Quotes

"Becoming is better than being."

"The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life."

"In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening."

Connected notes

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