Learn with a Growth Mindset

The way you view yourself, your goals and your challenges can actually affect your ability to learn. The idea of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset first originated in Carol Dweck’s 2006 book titled Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In it, she talks about how you can adjust your mindset in order to achieve your goals. Do you want to learn more about it? Keep reading!

Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

According to Dweck, someone with a growth mindset sees intelligence, talents and skills as something you can learn and improve with hard work. However, someone with a fixed mindset thinks that those concepts are stable and something you can’t change over time. Simply put, either you have the skills or you don’t.

If you approach a situation with a growth mindset, you’ll see it as something that, if you aren’t good at it right away, it’s something you can work at. However, if you have a fixed mindset, you’re more likely to think that you aren’t good at it, so you’ll never be good at it.

Mindfulness while learning a language

While learning a language, some people might pick up on a language quickly. On the other hand, others need to take more time or new approaches in order to learn it. However, this doesn’t mean that only people that understand languages more “naturally” are able to be successful. This is where adopting a growth mindset will help you.

If you look at a concept and think, “hm, this is challenging, but I can work at it and improve” then you are giving yourself the opportunity to let yourself improve. If you approach the same situation and think, “I’m not good at this now and I’ll never be good at it” then you aren’t giving yourself the chance to grow. Being mindful of the way you talk to yourself and see your own skills and abilities will help you grow. Remember, just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.