Today’s episode is all about understanding the belief systems that we have of ourselves including how they were created in the first place and what we can do to change them. Specifically, we will be looking at the work of the author, Carol S. Dweck, who wrote, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

In her book, Mindset, she dives deep into the two mindsets we have – fixed and growth. In a nutshell, people who have a fixed mindset believe they can never change and this is how they’ll be forever vs. those with a growth mindset that believe intelligence is something that can be learned, cultivated, and developed.

However, we don’t have just one type of mindset for the rest of our lives either. Depending on where we are in life and what the topic is about, we could either have a fixed or growth mindset. So, you might have a growth mindset about fitness but then have a fixed mindset about money or career.

In addition to exploring the differences between fixed and growth mindsets plus why we develop them, Devon and I will teach you how you can shift to a more growth mindset when it comes to your health and wellness. 

 

“If you’re spending all your time trying to prove to others or to yourself that you can achieve something but you don’t put your time towards learning on how to do that in order to grow and take care of yourself, then you’re just going to stay right where you are now.” – Devon Dionne

 

Carol Dweck, “Developing a Growth Mindset”

 

Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets

The Fixed Mindset

If you have a fixed mindset, you believe you’re either born with it or you’re not. You might have also developed this mindset because someone such as a parent or teacher taught you to think that way.

People with a fixed mindset believe that it’s talent and not hard work that gets you ahead in life or your goals. This mindset essentially leads to negative thinking that you are not smart enough and you won’t even try because you’re afraid to fail. You probably find yourself facing challenges with anxiety because you’re afraid of not looking smart. In the end, this mindset discourages you from taking on any new challenges altogether for fear of looking bad if you do not succeed.

People with a fixed mindset also:

• Don’t like obstacles and will just give up before even really trying to put in some effort.
• Believe the effort isn’t worth it to try something because they think they’ll fail anyway.
• Ignore useful negative feedback or criticism that could help them improve.
• See other people’s success as a threat.
• Are constantly trying to prove themselves to others.
• Think they can’t do any better than where they are at now in life.

A fixed mindset could eventually lead them to plateau early on in life and never reach their full potential.

The Growth Mindset

If you have a growth mindset, then you believe that talents and abilities are only a starting point. You think that there is potential from the starting point and that potential is limitless. You’ve come to realize that if you put in the effort, hard work, and persevere, you will grow and can succeed. You eagerly embrace new challenges and see them as a way to learn.

People with a growth mindset also:

• Are persistent with new challenges or obstacles and will not give up.
• Believe that the putting in great effort is the key to mastery.
• Become curious when someone gives them useful, negative criticism and are eager to use that information to help them improve.
• Feel inspired by other people’s success.
• Don’t need to prove themselves to others and know they have the strength to keep working hard at their goals.
• Realize that there is no end to what they can do and achieve in life so they live in their potential.

 

 

 

How Did We Develop Fixed Mindsets?

“I’ve seen so many people with this one consuming goal of proving themselves in the classroom, in their careers, and in their relationships. Every situation calls for a confirmation of their intelligence, personality, or character. Every situation is evaluated; ‘Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or a loser?’ “ – Carol S. Dweck

Fixed mindsets are easily created at a really early age; especially in test-oriented schools. If someone ever told you didn’t have the talent for something or if you were praised for your achievements vs. the actual work you put into getting it done, then it’s very likely that you developed a fixed mindset.

 

How to Shift Your Mindset From Fixed to Growth

To begin helping others shift their mindset from fixed to growth, you can use different praise methods or share stories of how people with no talented cultivated skills and beliefs. That’s a great way for a manager to motivate their employees to think more positively.

However, switching from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is not magic; you have to change a deep belief in yourself.

When you think something negative such as “You’re stupid; why even bother? All this hard work is stupid,” you can begin to shift your mindset by acknowledging that you heard that thought in your mind and understanding that it belongs in that fixed belief mindset. Then, tell yourself that you can do this, and finally apply an action to overcome your challenge. Don’t judge yourself in the moment but be persistent in solving the problem. Persistence has a direct effect on growth.

Acknowledge the setback, be curious about why it happened, think about a solution for the next time it happens, and be persistent.

From there, you need to create a growth mindset thought from your fixed mantra. So, if your mantra is, “I’m too stupid; I’ll never be able to do this,” think about the reverse of that mantra such as, “I’m smart enough to figure this out; it might take me some time and it might take me some work but I know that I can achieve this.”

Take this challenge on daily whenever you come across yourself thinking fixed mindset thoughts. This is something you have to work on every single day.

 

“People think that they can simply fake it until they make it but if you’re thinking that, you’re never going to make it because it’s not about faking it. It’s actually about changing your belief that qualities can be developed through practice and work. So, you have to change the fixed mindset belief with practice by taking it on daily; it’s not going to be instantaneous now just because you feel inspired. Don’t just think positive but take your actions within that belief system and develop them through practice and work” – Devon Dionne

 

What You’ll Hear on This Episode

00:00 Open Sky Fitness Introduction

1:15  Opening comments with Rob and Devon

1:30 Check out last week’s show: 205 – How to Avoid a Lifetime of Chronic Pain with Erin Burch

1:50 About today’s topic: The Power fo Mindset – Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

2:20 Join us early for our next official Sky Fit Challenge starting July 16.

5:00 Some of the awesome reviews we’ve received on iTunes!

7:00 Research done by Carol S. Dweck on the mindset.

7:45 Our two different mindsets – one that holds back (Fixed Mindset) and the other (Growth Mindset) which really helps us.

11:00 About the Fixed Mindset

14:20 About the Growth Mindset

15:00 How different mindsets react to new challenges in life.

15:50 Anxiety vs. Excitement for both mindsets.

17:10 How Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets approach problems and obstacles

18:00 The different views on effort and whether or not it’s worth it.

19:30 Whether or not these mindsets accept or reject criticism and what affect criticism has on them.

20:40 How we see other peoples’ success and react to it.

21:50 The effect that jealousy or envy has on our mindset.

26:15 The result of having a fixed mindset.

28:00 The Grow vs. Fixed Mindset when it comes to health.

28:50 How we even developed a fixed mindset to begin with in life.

34:20 The different mindsets we see in the Sky Fit Challenge and our clients.

35:00 Why you don’t have to be afraid to reach out for help in your wellness journey.

36:50 How to use a Growth Mindset to continue focusing on your fitness and nutrition.

38:00 Studies on children who have been praised in two different ways.

39:45 Actions children with fixed mindsets regularly adapted into their work vs. children with growth mindsets.

44:00 How people with a growth mindset are happier compared to fixed mindsets.

44:45 How you can shift your mindset from fixed to growth.

54:00 The importance of staying curious rather than be stuck in your fixed mindset.

56:00 How to apply a growth mindset to your health.

1:01:00 How to deal with and solve problems that come up in relationships.

1:03:00 What a healthy adult relationship looks like.

1:06:00 Closing comments with Rob and Devon

1:08:00 Open Sky Fitness Closing

 

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW:

• Leave us an iTunes review
• Subscribe to our podcast and take your health to the next level!
• Join The Open Sky Fitness Podcast Group on Facebook
• Sign up for our Sky Fit Challenge!
• Contact Rob and Devon to apply for One-On-One Coaching Sessions
• Learn more about our new sponsor – ButcherBox
• Check out last week’s episode: 205 – How to Avoid a Lifetime of Chronic Pain with Erin Burch
• Learn more about Carol S. Dweck
• Read Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
• Find out more about Carol S. Dweck’s research on mindset:
  • The power of believing that you can improve | Carol Dweck 
  • Carol Dweck: “The Growth Mindset” | Talks at Google
  • Carol Dweck: The Effect of Praise on Mindsets
  • Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
• Check out OSF 172 – Identify & Stop Self-Sabotaging Beliefs & Actions

 

SAVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE

8 WEEK SKY FIT CHALLENGE IN JULY!

Join us for our next 8 Week Sky Fit Challenge that will start on July 16!

The challenge consists of:

• 8 Weeks of Equipment Free Bodyweight Workouts in 20 minutes or less. (No gym membership required)
• SIMPLE Whole Food Meal Plan w/Tasty Recipe Cookbook Featuring 60+ recipes!
• Foolproof Schedule so you know EXACTLY what you’re supposed to do every day.
• Access to our New Private Facebook Group – Sky Fit Challenge Group to share your progress with everyone as well as receive support and be held accountable.

Join Our FREE 7 Day Paleo Rest

As part of the 7 Day Paleo Reset, we will provide you with:

• Introduction to what the Paleo Diet is all about
• 7 Day guide to easy Paleo recipes
• What batch cooking is and how to incorporate that into your lifestyle
• Various content resources including generational eating habits, the importance of building a wellness community, and how to begin a new healthy lifestyle.
• How to make an impact on your life and life a life full of wellness.

Simply go to openskyfitness.com/paleoreset. We have a website page in the works, but you can sign up to join us via this link. 

 

Look Out For Our Upcoming

Throw Back Thursday Podcast Episodes!

We’ll be releasing new podcasts episodes on Thursdays that discuss previous episodes we’ve done, but we need your help! Go to the  Open Sky Fitness Facebook Group and tell us what your favorite episodes are. Then, Devon and I will re-listen to that episode, pick out the best parts and share even more insights on the topic.

We won’t just be regurgitating the same information over again. Since we began this podcast, there’s so much more information out their on health, nutrition, fitness, and personal wellness. So, each Thursday we’ll really just be going deeper into your favorite topics!

 

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That’s right! By listening to the Open Sky Fitness Podcast, you get the chance to get a free order of bacon plus $10 off your first ButcherBox purchase!!

ButcherBox delivers 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door. Think of them as the neighborhood butcher for modern America.

 

 

Join The Open Sky Fitness Podcast Group!

That’s right! We have a closed Open Sky Fitness Podcast group on Facebook where you and everyone have the opportunity to talk about your health and fitness goals in a safe environment. We post workouts and start discussions about how to be strategic about finding a healthier you. Check it out!

Start Building Your Own Workouts and Meal Plan!

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Click To Download Home Workout Templates or text the word, “lifting,” to 33444 to download the templates. 

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Have a Question or Review for Rob or Devon?

We love answering questions and getting feedback from you, our listener! If you have any questions to ask us, want to share a review of the show, or tell us any suggestions for guests/topics that you think would be great to have on the show, just email Rob at rob@openskyfitness.com or Devon at devon@openskyfitness.com or you can also leave us a review at www.openskyfitness.com/review, ask a question in the closed Open Sky Fitness Facebook Group and even text OSFreview to 33444 to get the link.

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Ask Rob a Question or tell him what is working for you: Email Rob@OpenSkyFitness.com

 

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Thanks for listening/reading episode 206 – The Power of Mindset: Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets! We hope you have gained more knowledge on how to be a healthier you.