Mindset:The New Psychology of Success

4.5 stars/5.

This was probably one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. It was incredibly informative and I had a lot to take away from it. Dweck describes the differences between ‘fixed mindsets' and ‘growth mindsets' and how they can make or break literally everything in your life, especially when looked at through the lens of ‘success'. What does success mean to someone? Does it mean getting the grade (via cheating or cramming) or accumulating the knowledge through hard work and pacing oneself to get the grade? Is it looking at the shortest possible way to get somewhere, like fad dieting? Or is it looking at making the habits consistent for long-term success?

This book had me looking at all the areas of my life I jumped to wanting to ‘instant fix' rather than the longterm learning. While reading this book, I was studying for an exam, and although I did not pass, I would not say I failed. This book helped me really see and capitalize on the fact that all the time I spent studying was not wasted because I did not get the grade I wanted. It actually was time well spent because it made me better at my job and made it easier to understand the systems I am working with through a different lens. I expanded my knowledge through this in a way that may have not been so obvious in the beginning.

This book also called me out in terms of the limited ‘fixed' mindset I was displaying in my romantic relationship, as well as friendships/ familiar relationships. I now have some new strategies in my pocket to employ to work with another person towards success.

Also, Dweck highlights the fact that just because you start this does not mean that its done. If you think its in a good spot and you don't need to put more effort in, you are stagnant and that is where the trouble starts again. This was refreshing because there is this misconception that if you have to put any work into anything, whether it is a relationship, job, hobby, etc. then it something is wrong. How can we love the underdog story of those who put in all this hard work for whatever, but then when it is our turn we think that the needing to work hard is in indication of inadequacy?

All in all this book was great, however, there were things that Dweck discusses (particularly with parenting) that I would not agree with. Its all a balance. I have no children myself, but I tapped into how I would have reacted if my parents parented the way she suggested. I would have felt unseen and unheard, which would have backfired. This is the reason why I knocked off .5 stars. It is really because she pushes the envelope too far in certain directions, and many of these can be argued to be disruptive to overall growth. That aside, it was only .5 reduced not 1 because those situations just described are great opportunities for discussion and communication.

I would highly recommend this read to people who feel stuck and a little lost in life, or for those looking to improve themselves in ways that are considered ‘soft skills' (less about concrete credentials and more about how you as an individual perceive people, situations, yourself and success.)