Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset Examples and Worksheet

Introduction to Growth and Fixed Mindset

If you are unfamiliar with the topic you can get an overview of growth and fixed mindsets here . You can also read about How does the brain play into mindset? In this post we’ll try to help you reflect on your own mindsets and how you approach challenges, learning, and failure.

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset Examples

To help you better understand the difference between growth and fixed mindsets, we’ll share a series of real-life examples illustrating both perspectives. such examples are:

Famous individuals who demonstrated a growth mindset, such as Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school basketball team but went on to become one of the greatest players of all time, or Thomas Edison, who famously failed thousands of times before inventing the lightbulb.
Can you think about personal stories of people within your community who have embraced a growth mindset to overcome challenges and achieve their goals?
Try comparing the response to failure between individuals with a growth mindset (viewing it as an opportunity to learn) and those with a fixed mindset (viewing it as a confirmation of their limitations).

Identifying Fixed Mindset Triggers

Below you’ll find a worksheet that will help you to identify areas in your life where you may have a fixed mindset. When filling it please consider and write down on paper:

Situations you tried to avoid challenges or feared failure.
Instances when you felt threatened by the success of others.
Times when you attributed success or failure to innate abilities, rather than effort and perseverance.

Reframing Fixed Mindset Thoughts

Using the information you wrote, let’s practice reframing your fixed mindset thoughts into growth mindset perspectives. Please consider how you can:

Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth.
Learn from the success of others, rather than feeling threatened by it.
Focus on the effort and strategies that contribute to success, rather than just innate abilities.

Write down the answers next to the situations you wrote in the previous part.

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset Worksheet

Name: ___________________________ Date: ___________________

Part 1: Identifying Fixed Mindset Triggers

Think about situations in your life where you may have a fixed mindset. Consider challenges, learning opportunities, and your response to failure. Write down at least three instances in the spaces provided below.

Situation: _______________________________________________________________
Fixed Mindset Thoughts: ____________________________________________________

Part 2: Reframing Fixed Mindset Thoughts

For each situation identified in Part 1, reframe your fixed mindset thoughts into growth mindset perspectives. Consider how you can embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and focus on effort and perseverance.

Situation: _______________________________________________________________
Growth Mindset Thoughts: __________________________________________________

Part 3: Developing a Growth Mindset Action Plan

Create an action plan to cultivate a growth mindset in your daily life. Consider setting SMART goals, embracing challenges, and reflecting on your progress.

SMART Goal: _____________________________________________________________
Strategies for Achieving Goal: _______________________________________________

Part 4: Reflecting on Your Growth Mindset Journey

Establish a routine for reflecting on your progress and celebrating your growth. Describe how you plan to maintain this routine (e.g., journaling, sharing experiences with a supportive community).

Reflection Routine: ___________________________________________________________

Developing a Growth Mindset Action Plan

Look on what you wrote in the worksheet and try to create an action plan to cultivate a growth mindset in your daily life. Please use the principles we talked about:

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that focus on personal growth and learning.
Identifying strategies for embracing challenges, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps or seeking support from mentors or peers.
Establishing a routine for reflecting on your progress and celebrating their growth, such as maintaining a journal or sharing their experiences with a supportive community.

Role-playing Growth Mindset Conversations

In a supportive environment (family, friends etc.) try and practice having growth mindset conversations. You can role-play scenarios in which you provide constructive feedback, share your own learning experiences, and encourage others to embrace challenges and learn from setbacks.

Remember, developing a growth mindset is a lifelong journey. Continue practicing the strategies and tools you have learned in the workshop, and share your experiences with others to create a supportive growth mindset community.

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset Examples and Worksheet