A growth mindset is characterized by the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed and improved over time through effort, learning, and perseverance. Individuals with a growth mindset see challenges, failures, and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
They are more likely to embrace new experiences, take risks, and put in sustained effort to achieve their goals. They understand that success comes from hard work, learning from mistakes, and continuously pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.

People with a growth mindset
tend to: Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth.
Emphasize effort and hard work as essential for improvement.
Persist in the face of setbacks and failures.
 Learn from criticism and see it as a way to improve.
Find inspiration in the success of others and use it to motivate themselves.


A fixed mindset is characterized by the belief that abilities, intelligence, and talents are inherent traits that cannot be significantly changed.
Individuals with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges that could potentially expose their shortcomings, as they fear failure or looking incompetent.
They often stick to their comfort zones and avoid putting in extra effort because they believe that their abilities are already fixed and cannot be improved upon.People with a fixed mindset tend to: Avoid challenges to protect their self-perception of competence
 Believe that effort is not worth it, as their abilities are predetermined.
Give up easily when faced with difficulties or failures.
Feel threatened by the success of others, as it reflects on their own inadequacy.
Ignore or reject criticism, as it threatens their self-image.

It's important to note that individuals can exhibit both mindsets in different areas of their lives or even in different situations. However, fostering a growth mindset is often associated with better overall development, higher levels of achievement, increased resilience in the face of challenges, and a more positive attitude towards learning and self-improvement.

 We understand that developing a growth mindset involves recognizing and challenging fixed mindset beliefs, reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, valuing effort and persistence, seeking out learning experiences, and embracing the idea that improvement
is possible through dedication and hard work.

Most people vacillate between both types of mindsets, that's normal to a degree, but being mindful regarding a growth mindset will set the stage for more opportunities and how to create success from them. Good luck on the growth mindset journey:)

How could you get what you want, but not what you need? 


 Several years back I participated in a program called Wantology, a coaching certification program based on getting what you "really" want,  located in Silicon Valley. Our professor was a woman named Kevin. The place was sprinkled with Silicon Valley Internet wizards. I was busy analysing everyone wondering what they wanted and so sure of what I wanted, although definitely not what I needed. It was a strange experience somehow, as most people realised what they didn’t want but more importantly not what they needed.
Case in point: While I was coaching a senior executive with a strong network, who had been working in a global firm for several years, a crossroads had appeared. Unfortunately, the department they lead stopped functioning, the CEO was sacked and reorganisation took hold. Discreet meetings were held with their network, who would make sure through the reorganisation that they would get what they wanted. The network asked the Million-dollar question; 
 What do you want? It was very clear to them, under no circumstances would they take a reduction in salary. The new terms came; they got what they wanted! 
 Their salary didn’t change, but their job did, along with their responsibilities.
No one would be reporting to them and their authority in the new department had been reduced. They became depressed. I asked “how could you get what you want, but not what you needed?

 I started to dig around in their psyche and used  emotional intelligence; coaching revealed what they needed; which was to feel valued, useful, passionate, in- control, and responsible, but the money didn’t offer that, the money was the illusion of value, what it could buy, and the status it created.

What they eventually learned was that their value came from believing that they made a difference, that they “did” something that made them useful to themselves and to others. 

They eventually left that position for one that utilised their values and usefulness, they became more in line with their authentic self, they even took a pay cut, because;
 “What we want isn’t always what we need”
Although this sounds simple, it can take time to discover what we really need.
How does one find out what they need, a good place to start is understanding your core values and beliefs.

We do this by self-reflection, insights, inner-work and coaching. We realise the more we know ourselves, the better we can take care of our wants and really get what we need. 

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Alycia Setlin ACC BCC MS - Founder of Innerwork Dynamics- ICF Executive Leadership & Speaker Coach. Masterclass- Women & Leadership in the workforce.