Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: Which One Do You Have?

In our journey towards success, a crucial question arises: Do we believe that our intelligence and abilities are fixed, or do we see them as qualities that can be nurtured and developed? This question is at the heart of Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. She explores the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset, which shape how we approach challenges, setbacks, and success.

In this post, we will explore these two mindsets and see how the teachings of Islam, especially those of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), align with the growth mindset and encourage personal development.

What is the Fixed Mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are predetermined, and therefore unchangeable. People with this mindset often avoid challenges because they fear failure, believing that it reflects their lack of inherent ability.

As Carol Dweck mentions in her book:

“In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them.”
(Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, p. 6)

This mindset can lead to stagnation, as people shy away from challenges that might expose their perceived weaknesses. However, in Islam, we are taught to challenge ourselves and grow through perseverance.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of self-control and growth through effort. He said:

“The strong man is not the one who is physically strong, but the one who is able to control himself when he is angry.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This Hadith underscores the idea that strength comes from overcoming our limitations, not from inherent qualities alone.

What is the Growth Mindset?

In contrast, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, learning, and persistence. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than threats to their self-worth.

Dweck explains:

“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.”

This mindset encourages resilience, as individuals understand that failure is not a reflection of their worth but a part of the learning process. It aligns with the Islamic principle of Ihsan—striving for excellence in everything we do.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this growth-oriented mindset, urging us to continuously strive for improvement in all aspects of our lives. He said:

“Verily, Allah loves that when any one of you does something, he should excel in it.”
(Sahih Muslim)

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the topic of growth mindset, you can get Carol Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. It’s an excellent resource to learn more about developing a growth mindset.

Conclusion:

Carol Dweck’s research and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) share a common message: Growth and success are not determined by innate qualities, but by effort, perseverance, and the willingness to learn and improve.

Adopting a growth mindset—both in our professional and personal lives—can help us overcome obstacles, embrace challenges, and continuously improve ourselves.

As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“If you ask Allah for something, then ask Him with determination and do not say ‘If You wish, give it to me.'”
(Sahih Muslim)

This determination and commitment to growth are essential for achieving true success.

This blog post is inspired by an article originally published on Haack.fr, written by Siegfried Haack, and the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck.