By Carol S. Dweck
Ballantine Books, 2008. 277 pgs. Nonfiction
Carol Dweck is a researcher at Columbia who has spent her time exploring the way our minds view and interpret the world. She argues that people either have a fixed or a growth mindset. The fixed mindset is more common in our society because we are taught from a young age that if you are talented or smart, then you will succeed. If you fail then that means you weren't as talented as you thought. The growth mindset, on the other hand, believes that hard work is more important than success. Failure just means that you need to try something different the next time and that you are capable of anything you work towards. The book uses many examples from sports and business to show the differences between someone with a fixed or growth mindset.
This book was fascinating! I especially liked the chapters where she explains how these mindsets fit into parenting and education. She gives examples of the praise we give children and the harm that can be done by a well meaning comment. She also gives examples of better ways of saying things. The biggest thing this book helped me with was being more aware of myself and ways I can improve my mindset. This is a book that I plan to read again!
AL
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