Growth or rigidity

“Brain Plasticity” is a fact that holds out hope for everyone. Summarised, it just means that the brain can be taught to perform better and differently. Ability is not under our control, but effort and hard work are! This means that if you are not good at Maths but if you continue to study, train and practice it, you can become good at it. This belief is ingrained in the growth mindset. This mindset promises that anyone can change and improve their performance by effort and hard work. It is not sheer ability that leads to success. You can recreate your ability map by training and perseverance. This enables an individual to have more faith in himself. His beacon is the belief that he can fulfill his dreams and aspirations even if terrific ability and brilliance were not what he was born with.

The fixed mindset, on the other hand, can be a terrible obstacle to achievement. This is the mindset where one is taught to believe in the importance of birth, your family tree, caste or race — all factors where one has no control. Such a mindset holds us back in a prison of mediocrity. A belief that this all our ‘fate’ holds in the future. Eastern cultures emphasis the role of adversity as a means to improve through struggle. Life itself is seen as a classroom where one has a chance to learn new lessons by battling adversity.

We can shift ourselves into the growth mindset by focusing on effort rather than achievement. Instead of worshipping natural abilities we can reward those who put in maximum effort to improve. When we praise effort, we will naturally improve our abilities. This refers to everyone. Say it to children who are preparing for exams. So as the year begins, plan your efforts and hone your skills. Go forth in the confidence that you are the master of the ship of your life.

The writer is the author of Everyday Happiness Mantras