Reading Reflection No. 2

"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book?
• This book explores the idea that individuals have either a fixed or growth mindset. A fixed mindset is one that focuses on someone's skills and/or intelligence as predetermined or unchanging while a growth mindset believes these things can be altered over time. Dweck goes on to apply these mindsets to everything in life from learning to business to sports and even relationships. The argument here is that a growth mindset is ideal for success and that it is possible to evolve out of a fixed one.
2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
• I found the book to relate perfectly to ENT3003 because it describes a growth mindset as one that allows an individual to see and embrace failure as an opportunity to grow. Entrepreneurship is a process of trial-and-error and if you lack the ability to see past failure, then it will be impossible to improve yourself or your ideas.
3. If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
• Based on this book, I would create an exercise similar to an example Dweck gives. I would present the class with a situation filled with negative aspects and ask how they would respond to this. I would then have them reflect on their answers to see if they would categorize themselves under a fixed or growth mindset. If they showed qualities of a fixed mindset, I would have them delve deeper into why they thought that way and show them how to transform these thoughts into opportunities to learn, helping them change their perspective and ultimately adopt a growth mindset.
4. What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?
• I realized that I am one of those people who tends to focus on the negatives of a situation with a fixed mindset. I would like to say I can take feedback well and grow from my mistakes, but it's hard not to succumb to failure after not doing well on a test I studied really hard for or stressing out when things aren't going my way. I think the thing that stood out the most for me was the chapter on sports where Dweck discusses what sets apart championships from regular athletes. I was a competitive swimmer for many years and part of the reason I did so well is because I didn't like to lose or not reach my goals, and that was my motivation to be the best I could be. I think I need to learn how to apply that mindset in other aspects of my life like school, or in the case of this class with business ventures, to continue to be successful.