Defining Mindsets
“We can embrace mindsets as habits that our minds depend on—formed by previous experiences and the unconscious and conscious beliefs that we form along the way.” Ana Melikian I believe that leveraging our mindsets can allow us to release our potential as individuals, groups, and organizations. But before we can tap into it, we need to understand what a mindset is. The challenge lies in that there are as many definitions of mindset as there are mindset experts. So, when I was writing the introduction to the Mindset Zone book, I intentionally made a deep dive into the different meanings of mindset and organized them into three categories. In this episode, I define mindsets using three different approaches. I outline positive psychology’s description of mindset as a set of beliefs. I discuss how cognitive psychology sees mindsets as information-processing styles used to accomplish specific tasks. I describe organizational psychology’s view that mindsets are filters that inform our worldviews. I also share my own definition of mindset and underscore the Mindset Zone’s mission to help tap and release humanity’s potential. This week on The Mindset Zone: Identifying the three approaches to defining mindset Mindsets and the human potential for learning and change The “fixed” mindset and my self-perception about singing The “growth” mindset and how dyslexia became my superpower Cognitive psychology’s definition of mindset How setting and implementing goals require different kinds of mindsets to be successful The difference between “deliberative” and “implemental” mindsets The value of knowing when to remain unfocused and focused Tapping and releasing our human potential through self-development work and positive psychology Understanding our nature as connecting beings The different ways to unleash and amplify our potential as human beings My definition of mindsets Challenging our beliefs and expanding what’s possible How learning about habit transformation can shift our mindset and lives What it takes to evolve in a constantly and rapidly changing world The mission of the Mindset Zone podcast Resources Mentioned: Book: Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation by Gabriele Oettingen Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Expand What’s Possible