We all have fixed mindset triggers that shift us away from learning.
Common fixed mindset triggers include: facing challenges, making mistakes, receiving criticism, failing, or realizing that we need to invest a lot of effort to improve.
As Dr. Carol Dweck explains, “When we face challenges, receive criticism, or fare poorly compared with others, we can easily fall into insecurity or defensiveness, a response that inhibits growth.”
What is the mechanism behind it?
When we feel inadequate, our brain perceives this experience as a threat to our self-concept (the way we perceive our abilities and unique characteristics).
When we feel threatened, our body releases hormones that help us defend ourselves as if we are being attacked physically.
Consequently, the perceived threat quickly activates our defense mechanisms:
Fight – react with self-criticism (attack ourselves) or blame others
Flight – avoid the challenge or isolate ourselves
Freeze – feel paralyzed or ruminate on our thoughts
In a fixed mindset, the brain prioritizes survival, not learning.
Thankfully, as mammals, we also have a care system that releases hormones that help to reduce stress and increase the feeling of safety and security.
The leading expert on self-compassion, Dr. Kristin Neff, teaches that compassion is linked to the care system.
When we care for ourselves, we soothe our nervous system and help ourselves go into a neutral mode, in which we are ready to learn.
Science teaches us that growth takes care.
As I shared before, I was skeptical about self-compassion and hesitant about giving self-compassion a try.
But once I realized how essential it is for cultivating a growth mindset, it motivated me to experiment with it and witness the progress I was longing for.
Becomers weekly challenge
In order to work toward more of a growth mindset, we first need to observe ourselves and find our triggers.
This week, notice when you enter a more threatened, defensive state – for example when you face challenges or make mistakes. Notice how your body feels, thinks, and reacts to fixed mindset triggers.
The goal is not to judge ourselves or to fix things but rather to identify our fixed-mindset triggers, become aware of the ways they impact us, and leverage this information for growth.
Next week, we will dive into the components of self-compassion and ways to practice it.
With care ✨
Liz
P.S. Please forward this email to a friend who might benefit from learning this 🙌
