Do I Have a Growth Mindset or Fixed Mindset?

Take this quiz to find out!

A fixed mindset is the belief that you’re born with a certain set of skills and abilities that can’t change much over time. A growth mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that your skills and abilities are always evolving, which means you have the potential to grow and improve. Growth mindsets are generally thought to be more productive and helpful for your success.

Wondering which of these two mindsets you have? You’re in the right place! Just answer these questions, and we’ll tell you if it seems like you have more of a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Hit the “Start Quiz” button to get started!

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Questions Overview

1. I’m capable of anything I put my mind to.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
2. With practice and effort, I can improve my skills.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
3. You’re either born with talent or you’re not.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
4. I see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
5. I’m just naturally bad at some things, and that can’t change.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
6. I like to learn new things.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
7. I hate getting out of my comfort zone.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
8. I think I have a lot of potential.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
9. I think it’s possible to improve my level of intelligence.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
10. I have lots of potential and there are endless possibilities for my future.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
11. I don’t mind receiving constructive criticism because it’s a chance to learn and improve.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
12. You have to be born with talent to be successful in life.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
13. If I work hard at something, I’ll get better at it.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
14. I am capable of great change.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Somewhat disagree
  4. Strongly disagree

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Growth vs. Fixed Mindset: What’s the Difference?

Someone with a fixed mindset believes that they were born with a certain set of skills and abilities that can’t really change over time. This can be pretty limiting because it doesn’t leave much room for growth or improvement. According to this mindset, you’re either born with a specific ability or talent, or you’re not, and there’s not much you can do about it.

  • For example, someone with a fixed mindset might say something like, “I know I’m going to fail this math class. I’ve never been good at math. My brain just doesn’t work that way.”

On the other hand, someone with a growth mindset believes that their skills and abilities are always evolving, which means they have the potential to grow and improve. This type of mindset tends to be more productive because it allows people to see mistakes and setbacks as opportunities to grow. It’s also more conducive to success because it leaves people more open-minded about their ability to acquire new skills that they might not have imagined they’d be capable of before.

  • For example, someone with a growth mindset might say something like, “I’ve had a hard time with math in the past, but each new class is different. I know I can work hard and practice until I’m comfortable with the material.”[1]

If you’re hoping to cultivate more of a growth mindset, here are some helpful tips:

  • Meditation and yoga coach Rebekka Mars recommends asking yourself, “What’s the best that could happen?” [2] Slow down and remind yourself that challenges give you the chance to learn new things and show yourself how strong you can be. Plus, making it past one challenge builds your confidence and resilience for future ones!
  • Life coach Sandra Possing recommends writing down negative or unhelpful thoughts you might be having, then writing down a more helpful thought next to it. For example, Possing says a negative thought might be, “I’m never going to be successful in my career.” In this case, the more helpful thought to write down could be something like, “I’m getting better every day,” or “I’m improving throught effort,” or “I believe in myself.”[3] This exercise helps you recognize and change your thinking habits!
  • Licensed marriage and family therapist Anna Elton, PhD, LMFT, explains that “The positive mindset that needs to be something that you need to practice... you need to constantly remind yourself what your partner is doing well, because what you think affects the way you feel and affects your actions.”[4]

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References

  1. ↑ https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset
  2. ↑ Rebekka Mars. Meditation & Yoga Coach. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Sandra Possing. Life Coach. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Anna Elton, PhD, LMFT. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview