Mindset is another book in the seemingly endless production line of self help Psychology books available. Amazon recommended it to me based on my past purchases, and I decided to give it a try. I can honestly say that this book was eye opening for me. It’s based on the premise that there are two mindsets present in all human beings: The Fixed Mindset and The Growth Mindset. People with the fixed mindset, according to the author, are people who would rather not challenge themselves because it may reveal to them any inadequacy or weakness in their skill level or knowledge base. Conversely, people who possess the growth mindset are people who, regardless if they fail, crave the opportunity to better themselves even if it means admitting that they do not know as much as they thought they did in a particular subject or discipline. The author also dispels the myth of intelligence and natural talent, bringing to light the evidence-based realization that intelligence can be nurtured and cultivated through study and constant, unremitting learning. One’s learning ability, or intelligence, much like the brain itself, is indeed malleable. Fascinating stuff. By the way, another book in the same vein as this one is “Talent is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin. I may have reviewed it a year or two ago – I will have to check the archives of my blog.
Halfway through the book I realized that I possessed traits and elements from both the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. I’m a lifelong learner, there’s no question about that. I’m ridiculed by most of my peers and friends for always reading and trying to learn more, but it’s who I am and who I've always been, unbeknownst to some. That being said, however, I can remember many times in my life when I was afraid to challenge myself because I felt like it would reveal weaknesses in my knowledge or skill. When I was younger, I used to abhor criticism; I felt like if someone criticized me it was a direct attack on who I was, so I’d respond by becoming defensive. Granted, most people will criticize you just to make themselves feel better or to put you down because they see you’re actually trying to do something; but if someone is more skilled than you are in something and he or she offers some constructive criticism, you should pay attention because that’s an invaluable tool for growth. I've learned that over the years without question. When I first started studying Karate (I was probably 11 or 12 years old), I was so full of passion for it. I used to go to my classes with a zest and zeal that rivaled the most enthusiastic of students, but I quickly realized, even though I thought I was a natural, that I had a lot of work to do before I could even consider myself a real student of the martial arts. At first I refused to accept that I wasn't as strong or as fast as I thought I was. I was stuck in the fixed mindset. I knew I was good at throwing kicks and punches because I taught myself how to fight. I didn't want to hear anything anyone else had to say. Eventually I learned the hard way that I would have to acquiesce to the instruction of my teachers, but the fixed mindset plagued me for many more years. It wasn't until I met my Jujitsu instructor about 5-6 years ago that I finally broke the fixed mindset outlook when it came to the martial arts. I was put on my back, painfully, over and over again by my instructor and learned, seemingly for the first time, about “emptying my cup” as the saying goes. I had to unlearn about 15 years of martial arts training and absorb, as a beginner, the teachings of my Jujitsu instructor. Let’s just say ice became my best friend.
My fixed mindset even found its way into my guitar studies. I was always a decent guitar player, I guess, but I didn't start growing as a guitarist until I met someone who shattered my view of my skill level while working at my last job. This guy was the most skilled guitarist I had ever met, and I was humbled by his expertise. I’m still no way near his level of guitar playing, but because of the little time I spent with him I am a much better guitarist than before I met him. It was after meeting this person that I decided to start playing with people who were substantially better than I was. I sought out guitarists all over the place and asked to learn from them. I’d walk around Union Square in the city listening to the other musicians; I'd pay real attention to what they were playing and how they were playing it. I’d walk up to a few guitarists who I thought played beautifully and pick their brains. Some were eager to teach and some didn't want to be bothered. All in all, I became good friends with two of the guitarists I met. They still reach out to me and teach me technique and theory, and, when I can, I continue my own independent music study. Growth mindset in action.
I've been sending a lot of my short fiction to professional, established writer friends of mine so that they can criticize and guide me in the hopes that I can be a better writer. A few weeks ago I sent one of my short stories to a writer I work with, and I asked him to be brutal. He read my story and sent me some feedback. I felt like when I was a little kid in school and one of my teachers gave me back one of my writing assignments adorned with her red markings. "Redundant!" "Comma here!" "Be more concise!" "Verb-subject agreement!" Good times. Anyway, my colleague gave me some useful advice and I immediately incorporated his suggestions into some of the stories I've already written. Consequently, I have also asked my uncle, who is an award-winning apologetics writer, to advise me and critique my writing. He’s been generous with his time and constructive with his advice. I will keep badgering him with grammar and syntax questions until he disowns me. It’s a price I’m willing to pay.
So, back to the book. There is a lot of truth in this book, and I’m probably going to read it again soon. At the end of the book there is a chart that outlines the fixed mindset pathway of thinking versus the growth mindset pathway of thinking. It briefly outlines what someone with each mindset would do, or how they would think, given a circumstance. I have printed this chart out and I keep it hanging on my wall in my room so that I can look at it every day. I still have some fixed mindset elements that seem to permeate my thinking, but I’m more cognizant about them now. I’m working toward becoming a fully growth mindset focused person. I’m a work in progress, like most people, so bear with me.
There are a lot of case studies of some great people in this book – Famous athletes, Actors, Politicians, Musicians, Teachers, Coaches – and each case study lends more credence to the author’s message: The Growth Mindset will help you achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. It’s a great book, and I recommend it to anyone struggling with honing his or her skills in anything. The author discusses how the fixed mindset and growth mindset is evident in every facet of life. Whether it is in parenting – how some parents instill a belief in their children that they are geniuses, and these children refuse to grow because they think there is no more growing to be done – or in our professional lives - how to learn from and adapt to unethical and dishonest colleagues (something I live with).
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Customers say
Customers find this book life-changing and engaging, with great research and valuable lessons, particularly noting it as a must-read for teachers. Moreover, they appreciate its readability, being clear even for a layperson, and find it thought-provoking as it methodically tackles the fixed mindset. However, the book receives mixed feedback regarding its concept, with some praising the theory while others find it repetitive.
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1553 customers mention content, 1457 positive, 96 negative
It is a great book that changes the way I think. It inspired me by keep trying something never experienced and made me peaceful and active in mind.Read more
...A great read, written in a simple and easy to understand style, it has good examples and is structured in a logical process. Recommended reading.Read more
Excellent book for me about the power of mindset on the lives of students and athletes ... Mindset and the ideas within have changed the way my...Read more
A good book for those interested in getting to know a little about how our mindset impacts our reactions (and actions) to life; though the examples...Read more
435 customers mention informative, 400 positive, 35 negative
Insightful and very well researched. I do plan to employ these strategies throughout my life. And I hope that you do too.Read more
This book is very insightful and helpful not just at identifying a person's mindset, but at helping change it, particularly for yourself or your kids.Read more
Informative and interesting to read. Anecdotal examples give it a lot of power and help you to understand how these mindsets play out in real life.Read more
Great information that everyone needs to know and be able to act on - which the book also helps with by outlining step to get your growth mindset on....Read more
248 customers mention thought-provoking, 236 positive, 12 negative
...Thought provoking and of practical application in both personal and professional settings, this book demonstrates the power that our internal...Read more
Great book,very thought provoking. Will definitely make you take a second look at how you handle challenges.Read more
"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges our beliefs about talent,...Read more
This is a thoughtful, logical, and observational book that has changed my perspective on myself and my peers in the workplace (and without)....Read more
202 customers mention usefulness, 190 positive, 12 negative
This book is very insightful and helpful not just at identifying a person's mindset, but at helping change it, particularly for yourself or your kids.Read more
Like this book. Lots of good suggestions, more specific and practical than the typical "self-help" type book. Incorporates brain science.Read more
..."Mindset" adds a powerful and useful dimension to change discussion and provides tools and analysis superior in clarity and maturity to the sea of...Read more
...book - the book obviously drives home the point in a way that is very helpful, more helpful than a review.Read more
158 customers mention readability, 121 positive, 37 negative
...This easy to read, well-researched book offers practical strategies for developing a growth mindset, making it invaluable for parents, educators,...Read more
very enlightening and an easy read... brings new concepts and awareness to the fold...a must read for anyone who dares to venture into how we see...Read more
First, I like this book and I recommend reading it; it's a quick read and, if nothing else, it will inspire you to put more effort into the things...Read more
...It is a difficult book to read because it's so repetitive. SO repetitive. But once you get through it, I think it's worth reading it.Read more
144 customers mention concept, 128 positive, 16 negative
This book has a great concept and really provides a stark contrast between different mindsets. Recommended, but be prepared it is a bit redundant....Read more
Great ideas and information....Read more
...The rest of the book is useful in that it gives lots of examples and ideas for how to apply the idea in your own life, but there's a lot of...Read more
Great concepts about how can we interact in a better way with our coworkers, friends and family....Read more
105 customers mention interesting, 103 positive, 2 negative
...Because it resists labels and welcomes exploration, Dweck's interesting and useful discussion goes beyond even some of the better research in the...Read more
Interesting book. Not life changing information, here's the synopsis....Read more
...Then I read the book. The book is very interesting and detailed, but it's just an extension of what the article already made clear: the...Read more
Recommended for anyone instructing kids..fascinating..Read more
125 customers mention repetitive, 8 positive, 117 negative
I don't understand the good reviews. The book is very simplistic and repetitive. It contains little advice about how to actually change your mindset....Read more
...It's very repetitive and sometimes I just wanted it to get right to the point instead of having to read the seemingly endless chapters....Read more
...of mindsets were interesting but not very educational, too repetitive.Read more
Although it has some useful information. It is EXTREMELY repetitive....Read more
Well worth it
My nephew suggested I should read this book he was right on. Changing our minds to the highest degree changing our abilities to another way of thinking and using our thoughts process When I started reading this book it talked about failure is not a bad thing embrace it learn from our mistakes know not to fall back into the same pattern again set your mind the way you want it to be and go from there.
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Top reviews from other countries
- Mauricio GloriaReviewed in Mexico on March 15, 2021
Great book full of growth/fixed mindset examples
Format: KindleVerified Purchase -
FelixReviewed in Germany on July 9, 2025
Absolut lebensverändernd! Ein Muss für jeden, der wachsen möchte.
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Ich habe "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" (im Deutschen oft als "Mindset: Wie Sie Ihr Denken verändern und Ihr Potenzial entfalten" bekannt) von Carol Dweck gelesen, und ich kann mit voller Überzeugung sagen, dass es eines der prägendsten Bücher ist, die ich je in den Händen hatte. Dieses Buch ist kein einfacher Ratgeber, sondern ein tiefgründiges Werk, das unser Verständnis von Erfolg, Lernen und persönlicher Entwicklung auf den Kopf stellt.FelixAbsolut lebensverändernd! Ein Muss für jeden, der wachsen möchte.
Reviewed in Germany on July 9, 2025
Dweck präsentiert darin ihre bahnbrechende Forschung zu den Konzepten des "Fixed Mindset" (starres Denken) und des "Growth Mindset" (Wachstumsdenken). Sie erklärt überzeugend, wie diese grundlegenden Überzeugungen über unsere Fähigkeiten und Intelligenz unser gesamtes Leben beeinflussen – von unseren Beziehungen über unsere Karriere bis hin zu unserer Erziehung und unserem Umgang mit Herausforderungen.
Besonders beeindruckend fand ich:
Die Klarheit und Zugänglichkeit: Dweck schafft es, komplexe psychologische Konzepte auf eine verständliche und nachvollziehbare Weise zu vermitteln. Keine Spur von trockenem Universitäts-Jargon!
Die Fülle an Beispielen: Ob aus dem Sport, der Wirtschaft, der Kunst oder dem Elternhaus – die zahlreichen Fallstudien und Anekdoten illustrieren die Theorie perfekt und machen das Buch lebendig. Man erkennt sich oder Menschen aus seinem Umfeld immer wieder in den Beschreibungen. Das war echt ein Augenöffner.
Die praktische Anwendbarkeit: Das Buch gibt nicht nur Einblicke, sondern auch konkrete Ansätze, wie man ein Wachstumsdenken entwickeln und fördern kann, sowohl bei sich selbst als auch bei anderen. Das ist besonders wertvoll für Eltern und Lehrende.
Die hoffnungsvolle Botschaft: Die Quintessenz, dass wir unsere Fähigkeiten und Intelligenz durch Anstrengung und Hingabe entwickeln können, ist unglaublich ermutigend und befreiend. Es nimmt den Druck des Perfektionismus und öffnet Türen für kontinuierliches Lernen und Verbesserung.
Ich habe das Buch bereits mehrfach verschenkt und empfehle es jedem, der:
Sich persönlich weiterentwickeln möchte.
Herausforderungen nicht als Sackgasse, sondern als Chance sehen will.
Eltern oder Pädagoge ist und Kinder zu widerstandsfähigen und lernfreudigen Menschen erziehen möchte.
Verantwortung für Teams oder Mitarbeiter trägt und deren Potenzial voll ausschöpfen will.
Kurz gesagt: "Mindset" ist ein Game-Changer. Es hat meine Sichtweise auf Erfolg und Misserfolg grundlegend verändert und mir geholfen, mein eigenes Potenzial besser zu erkennen und zu nutzen. Absolute Leseempfehlung!
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- KennyReviewed in Canada on January 2, 2026
change your mindset to change your life
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Japan on April 7, 2025
Mindset
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great insights are written. I have just started reading it but I could recommend it to anyone who is looking for life detour inorder to live a meaning and purposeful life!Amazon CustomerMindset
Reviewed in Japan on April 7, 2025
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