As a child, you probably heard the old saying “Practice makes perfect.” If you’re like most people, you probably believed it. That’s because most people believe in a fixed mindset—the idea that our abilities and intelligence are fixed from birth.
But what if practice doesn’t make perfect? What if it makes permanent? What if my ability to learn is not just limited by how smart I am but also by how willing I am to put in the time and effort?
The truth is that a growth mindset is far more important than a fixed mindset when it comes to success in life. People with a growth mindset believe that their intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Those with a growth mindset see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than as evidence of incompetence or stupidity. People with growth mindsets are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks and take on challenging tasks, which leads them to be more successful in life.
It’s not just about success though—the benefits of having a growth mind include better relationships, improved health outcomes (including mental health), greater happiness and satisfaction with life overall… even better physical fitness!
