World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research on achievement and success, has discovered a truly groundbreaki...
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Sep 08, 2011
Michael
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Excellent book. This one sounds like a typical self-help book, but it's a real find. The author is a pyschology researcher at Columbia, and her book is filled with insights and illustrations regarding the differences that a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset can have when applied to business, parenting, school, and relationships. Her research has been highlighted in many venues, including an excellent book on parenting titled Nurture Shock.
I give it 5 stars because I can see so m More...
I give it 5 stars because I can see so m More...
Dec 29, 2008
Stark
rated it: 
This is probably all i really need to hear out of this book, but i will read the whole thing anyway. there are two mindsets. fixed and growth.
Believing that your qualities are carved in stone -- the fixed mindset -- creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over. If you have only a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character -- well, then you'd better prove you have a healthy dose of them. It simply wouldn't do to look or feel deficient More...
Believing that your qualities are carved in stone -- the fixed mindset -- creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over. If you have only a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character -- well, then you'd better prove you have a healthy dose of them. It simply wouldn't do to look or feel deficient More...
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Jul 27, 2008
My dad had been talking about this book, so when we went to visit him and I saw it on his desk I started reading it. It made sense right away and was easy to get into. Your mindset (either a growth mindset or a fixed mindset) determines how you relate to your abilities and experiences in school, business, relationships, and sports (those are the areas she covers). I could see myself in both of the mindsets she described, and I think they're a useful tool for making sense of places where I strugg
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May 26, 2008
Mike
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Carol Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success is based on a deceptively simple—yet powerful—premise. The central distinction she draws here is directly relevant to any of us interested in teaching leadership. According to Dr. Dweck (a Stanford psychology professor), each of us adopts one of two mindsets about life: the fixed or growth mindset. People with fixed mindsets tend to see human potential as static and finite; people with growth mindsets see human potential as more dynamic and el
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May 07, 2008
Kressel
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The flap copy on this book promised it would be "a great book that will change your life." That certainly raised my expectations, and I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed.
The premise of the book is the basis of cognitive psychology: what you believe affects your whole life, so if you can change your beliefs, ie, your mindset, you can change your life. This book characterizes two mindsets, the fixed and the growth-oriented. The fixed is the more common one because More...
The premise of the book is the basis of cognitive psychology: what you believe affects your whole life, so if you can change your beliefs, ie, your mindset, you can change your life. This book characterizes two mindsets, the fixed and the growth-oriented. The fixed is the more common one because More...
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Nov 18, 2011
Cerealflakes
rated it: 
I keep hearing educators praising this author and, specifically, this book. Maybe she's better in person. I found this book trite. It was very repetitive and full of cherry picked stories pulled out just to prove her obvious conclusion. Are there really people who think that if you go into something with a negative attitude it won't affect the outcome? She goes to the extreme with the positive attitude stuff, though. I just don't buy that anyone can do anything if they just try hard enough
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Aug 11, 2011
Becky
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The premise of this book sounds pretty "duh." I ran across its title in several different contexts before I decided that if such dissimilar people swear by it, it can't be as obvious as it sounds. And its implications are wide-ranging and interesting. It made me see the world in a new way. It's entertaining and an easy read, and would be especially valuable to teachers, parents, and coaches, but really applies to pretty much everybody. Instead of subtitling it "The New Psychology
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Aug 01, 2011
Ensiform
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The author, a social psychologist, divides people into two types. One has a fixed mindset and so believes that intelligence and personality are fixed traits that cannot change. It follows from this view that effort is to be avoided, because if you need to try you must not have talent; that setbacks reflect personally on you (transference of action to individual); that you blame others or yourself for setbacks; and esteem is garnered through the deprecation of others. The second group is the g
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Jul 24, 2011
Alex
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Another book that attempts to build upon the research of Anders Ericsson.
The way I read it, I would break the book into 3 parts:
Part 1: How people fail because they don't have the right mindset
Part 2: How people success because they have the right mindset
Part 3: You could also call this part 2a - it basically deals with children and success in school, home, etc.
The first part of the book was the worst. Its case after case of "this person tried to succeed More...
The way I read it, I would break the book into 3 parts:
Part 1: How people fail because they don't have the right mindset
Part 2: How people success because they have the right mindset
Part 3: You could also call this part 2a - it basically deals with children and success in school, home, etc.
The first part of the book was the worst. Its case after case of "this person tried to succeed More...
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Apr 28, 2011
Paco
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El título es muy desafortunado para un libro basado en la investigación científica de la Dra. Dweck de la Universidad de Columbia. Haciendo a un lado lo anterior, representa una lectura muy interesante y amena que desbanca muchas de las creencias que tenemos sobre lo que consideramos como genialidad, talento, cualidades naturales, etc. En resumen expone la existencia de 2 configuraciones mentales en las personas, la configuración mental fija y la configuración mental de crecimiento. Es un concep
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Apr 03, 2011
Ray
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Dweck's book, "Mindset" has an extremely POWERFUL insight in that it reveals that people have one of Two Mindsets;
1) A FIXED MINDSET meaning intelligence is static which leads to a desire to look smart and therefore, avoid challenges, give up easy, see effort as fruitless, ignore useful negative feedback, or feel threatened by the success of others. People with this Mindset are likely to plateau early and achieve less than their potential. This Mindset represents a very D More...
1) A FIXED MINDSET meaning intelligence is static which leads to a desire to look smart and therefore, avoid challenges, give up easy, see effort as fruitless, ignore useful negative feedback, or feel threatened by the success of others. People with this Mindset are likely to plateau early and achieve less than their potential. This Mindset represents a very D More...
Mar 19, 2011
JZ
rated it:
The book's premise is that there are two mindsets: Fixed or Growth oriented. Fixed will keep you where you are. Growth will unlock new possibilities for your relationships, career, hobbies, and life. Without being overtly stated in the book, I think there is a thread related to a person's self-confidence, as well. Carol Dweck shares some powerful examples of people we know (celebrities, athletes) who come from each mindset. It also outlines a few things you can do to SHIFT your mindset. All in a
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Nov 08, 2010
Julie
rated it:
Mindset may very well be the best book I've read this year. Certainly, it's the one that's changed my thinking the most, which is pretty much the point.
In Mindset, Carol Dweck explains that people tend to fall into one of two mindsets. The first, the "fixed mindset," is one in which you feel that intelligence, artistic ability, business acumen, athletic potential, etc. are all fixed. You're smart or your dumb. You're a great artist or you're not. And if you're smart, you need More...
In Mindset, Carol Dweck explains that people tend to fall into one of two mindsets. The first, the "fixed mindset," is one in which you feel that intelligence, artistic ability, business acumen, athletic potential, etc. are all fixed. You're smart or your dumb. You're a great artist or you're not. And if you're smart, you need More...
Aug 26, 2010
Pam
rated it:
It has taken me 5 months to commit to reading this book and now that I've read it I can't understand why I resisted. On Wed. we had a book discussion at work about it, so Tuesday night I was madly finishing the last third.
As books about success go -- this one is a definite winner. (It does help that she references/draws upon my favorite management guru Jim Collins a lot.) I do feel that I've exhausted this topic and really am tired about "secrets," "keys," or " More...
As books about success go -- this one is a definite winner. (It does help that she references/draws upon my favorite management guru Jim Collins a lot.) I do feel that I've exhausted this topic and really am tired about "secrets," "keys," or " More...
Jul 09, 2010
This book somewhat subversively takes on the overachievers in America, well the overachievers who think that they are entitled to their status by nature of their genius.
Let me start over: Dweck posits in the book that there are two types of people: fixed mindset people and growth mindset people. The fixed mindset people feel that whatever their intellectual status is currently, that is fixed, and really they can’t do anything about it. No getting smarter or, for that matter, growi More...
Jun 20, 2010
Donna
rated it: 
Book about learning to fulfill potential; my interest lies in the educator’s influence and power of word-speak with students, taking them from “fixed mindset” to “grow mindset.”
The person with a fixed mindset is concerned with judgment.
The person with a growth mindset is concerned with improving.
(Watty Piper… “I think I can, I thnk I can….I can!”)
(Some lines I'll "keep" in the "mindstore".....)
p. 4-5 Alfred Binet did not devel More...
The person with a fixed mindset is concerned with judgment.
The person with a growth mindset is concerned with improving.
(Watty Piper… “I think I can, I thnk I can….I can!”)
(Some lines I'll "keep" in the "mindstore".....)
p. 4-5 Alfred Binet did not devel More...
Mar 21, 2010
Marcy
rated it:
And what is the new psychology of success? Working hard to achieve...Having a growth mindset means that one will work hard, even in the face of adversity, to achieve. One should know that being smart does not always lead to success. Working hard towards one's goals is what helps one to succeed. Parents should recognize the hard work their children do; Praising children for their intelligence sends the wrong message.
As two married people, times often get tough. Marriage needs w More...
As two married people, times often get tough. Marriage needs w More...
Feb 07, 2010
Francis
rated it:
This book could change your life. Based on the author's extensive research into the psychology of
mindsets, she explains in great detail the extent to which one's attitudes towards ability and effort
influence one's ability to overcome adversity and to achieve his or her potential.
The basic premise of the book is that people's attitudes about whether their abilities are "fixed" or
"changing" influences a great deal of how we react to More...
mindsets, she explains in great detail the extent to which one's attitudes towards ability and effort
influence one's ability to overcome adversity and to achieve his or her potential.
The basic premise of the book is that people's attitudes about whether their abilities are "fixed" or
"changing" influences a great deal of how we react to More...
Jul 20, 2010
Megan
rated it:
My new principal recommended this book.
It details two mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. People with the fixed mindset want to be the best. People with the growth mindset want to be the best they can be. People with the fixed mindset feel successful when they finish first and make no mistakes. People with the growth mindset feel successful when they are challenged.
There were implications for business people, teachers, parents, and people in relationships. This More...
It details two mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. People with the fixed mindset want to be the best. People with the growth mindset want to be the best they can be. People with the fixed mindset feel successful when they finish first and make no mistakes. People with the growth mindset feel successful when they are challenged.
There were implications for business people, teachers, parents, and people in relationships. This More...
Sep 21, 2010
Claudia
rated it:
Is your mindset fixed or growth? Do you believe in talent and intellect or hard work? When you praise, do you praise someone for being smart or being a hard worker? These questions underlie this book...not a new one, and therein lies my biggest concern. Her chapter on bullying was one I eagerly read, but she used faulty information about the Columbine tragedy to make her points. Then I realized the book was published in 2006, and COLUMBINE, the chilling debunker of all the Columbine myths, was p
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Apr 25, 2011
Susan
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I highly recommend this book to everyone! The book teaches you about the fixed & growth mindsets. Fixed mindset is the thinking that we were born as smart or talented as we'll ever be, and no matter what we do, that won't change. The growth mindset is the idea that we continue to learn throughout our lives, we learn from our mistakes, and practice & effort will change our intelligence, athletic abilities, artistic abilities, social abilities... and more.
The book is filled with all More...
The book is filled with all More...
Sep 16, 2009
Becky
rated it:
It's a self-help book. Everyone at my work read it over the summer, so I did, too. It's fine. The main ideas are that one should look at failure as a given and an opportunity for growth, and that process should be praised over product.
These ideas are important and essential concepts for the teaching profession, and I have found myself thinking about the book since I finished it. I have tried to challenge myself to be more "growth mindset;" that is, challenged by failu More...
These ideas are important and essential concepts for the teaching profession, and I have found myself thinking about the book since I finished it. I have tried to challenge myself to be more "growth mindset;" that is, challenged by failu More...
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Nov 23, 2011
Avel
rated it:
This life-altering read, brings about two personality traits of all people. One is using a "fixed mindset", the other, more positive oriented individual uses the "growth mindset." Growth mindset allows you to continually grow into a more powerful, impenetrable force which adapts and changes to the environment at hand, all this which may ONLY benefit, support, and help you in greatest times of need. The other trait, which most humans adopt is a "fixed" approach to l
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Dec 27, 2010
Leane
rated it:
I would first like to say that I would normally never read a book like this. I would never pick it up off the Barnes & Noble table and purchase it, nor would I look for it in the library. However, reading this book was one of the best things I have done in a long time and here's why.
"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" is written by Carol S. Dweck, a well-known and very knowledgeable psychologist. Her main focus is to introduce readers to two different types of minds More...
"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" is written by Carol S. Dweck, a well-known and very knowledgeable psychologist. Her main focus is to introduce readers to two different types of minds More...
Aug 29, 2010
Daniel
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Read this for school. I was already familiar with the concepts of growth and fixed mindset, but I still found the plentiful stories and examples Dweck provides to be enlightening and entertaining. The chapters on Sports, School, and Leadership were particularly interesting.
Something that was new to me was the idea of attribution theory in which when people are asked to explain their performance in a task (be it success or failure), they nearly always point to one of four things: abili More...
Something that was new to me was the idea of attribution theory in which when people are asked to explain their performance in a task (be it success or failure), they nearly always point to one of four things: abili More...
Jan 12, 2012
Heather
rated it:
Wow. This book was just what I needed (wanted? maybe not, but needed). While I don't usually love the nonfiction/"self-help" genre, I occasionally venture into its realms (especially when one of my children's teachers specifically asks that all the parents in the class read this book).
The pages were filled with "ah-ha" moments for me. And I'll admit I took copious notes -- pages and pages. I found so many simple truths that are "game changers" for me in More...
The pages were filled with "ah-ha" moments for me. And I'll admit I took copious notes -- pages and pages. I found so many simple truths that are "game changers" for me in More...
Dec 28, 2011
Heather
rated it:
This is a FANTASTIC book! Probably almost one of my all-time-favorites. I am inspired to go learn! :) The whole book is all about the importance of gaining and keeping a learning and growth mindset where we strive to improve each day, as opposed to a fixed mindset where we are always judging ourselves and others and can only win or lose or be smart or dumb.
The book points out that those who are most successful have a growth mindset and try to learn from everything they do. The More...
The book points out that those who are most successful have a growth mindset and try to learn from everything they do. The More...
Aug 04, 2011
Merrick
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Mindset reminds me of the old expression, “It doesn’t matter whether you think you can or think you can. You’re right either way.” (quote?) Carol Dweck decisively demonstrates that our mindset drives our action. If we believe that we cannot change, we are right. If we believe that we are powerless to our situation, it will be so. However, through scientific studies and personal stories, Dweck show that by maintaining a “growth mindset” rather than a “fixed mindset”, individuals can dramatic
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Jul 27, 2010
Jen
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Because of reading this book I've caught myself saying a lot of things I don't mean. For example, when I mess something up, I might say, "I'm so dumb," but that's not what I mean. People make mistakes. This book is about allowing the people the grace to grow. She stresses that comments for students should emphasize their efforts and not their ability. So in reading a student's writing you might say, "I like how you used what we discussed in class about diction to choose a word lik
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Aug 27, 2010
~steph
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I just finished reading this...I thought the first third or so was a little slow (which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5), but I'm glad I kept at it! What a fascinating read!
One of my kids definitely has a fixed mindset. And I realized some of my well-meaning comments to him (like "You're so smart" when he does something well) backfired. Now he says "I'm so dumb" if he struggles with something, and "I'm a bad boy" when he misbehaves. (No matte More...
One of my kids definitely has a fixed mindset. And I realized some of my well-meaning comments to him (like "You're so smart" when he does something well) backfired. Now he says "I'm so dumb" if he struggles with something, and "I'm a bad boy" when he misbehaves. (No matte More...
