Seeking challenge: The path to developing a growth mindset

Before viewing these videos or having heard of Carol Dweck, I was actually introduced to the concept of growth mindset in high school. I went to a small, Christian school with a staff that cared about how we learned and cared about students facing difficulties with positivity. 

Then that was a challenging concept, and now it's still challenging. Carol Dweck's main point is that if something is easy, it's not growing or teaching you. I have trouble maintaining positivity in a difficult moment, but I think this concept goes beyond just smiling through something. The title of Dweck's second video sums things up nicely: "Make Challenge the New Comfort Zone." At my internship this summer, we put this another way: "get comfortable being uncomfortable." Challenges shouldn't be something to just grin and bear, they should be something you actively seek out to make yourself better. 

A cat meme promoting a growth mindset. Courtesy of Laura Gibbs.
Source: Growth Mindset Resources.
My personal learning goals this semester do involve growth, and especially growth as a journalist. In my last post I mentioned two classes I'm excited about taking this semester: Interactive Multimedia and Feature Writing. I'm taking these classes because I want to, but mostly because they scare me a little bit. I was warned the first day that Interactive will be difficult at times, but I know the skills it'll teach me will make me a more competent and valuable journalist. When I look at my Feature Writing assignments, I'm also a bit daunted, but I'm seeking these challenges to become a stronger writer and produce some of my best work. The growth mindset is definitely something I should keep in mind as these classes get harder and as the semester and workload begin to wear on me. 

I didn't take the idea of a growth mindset seriously in high school; I should now. Being content with things that are easy may mean I go through life easily, but it doesn't mean I grow.

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 3, 2017 at 2:08 PM

    Hi Emma! I feel you are so lucky to have been introduced to this concept in your past. I wish more schools projected the importance of this type of mindset. I hope know that we have a better understanding of the meaning behind Dweck’s idea, it will be introduced to younger kids more in the future. I do agree with you on wanting to take on a challenge as a way to grow, and not a barrier for an “easy” life.

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  2. erikahDecember 4, 2017 at 8:15 AM

    Hey, Emma, I think it is cool that you were introduced to the concept of a growth mindset in high school. I wish more high schools would teach the concept. I like the idea of "not yet" instead of an "F" for failure. It is great that you were able to learn that concept earlier in life than others. It is awesome that you took the concept of a growth mindset and set personal learning goals for the semester. I hope you met your goals.

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