Carol Dweck stated that every one of us is a mixture of both mindsets, and I agree. However, given the many circumstances we often face, I think there is a delicate balance. I can not tell you what that balance is, but I know it has to be a high-growth mindset and minimal fixed mindset reserved for times when one must stand firm in their thinking.
That mindset balance is just as important when considering the interactions amongst peers and leaders in the work environment. Mindset balance helps ensure that everyone collectively does what's in the best interest of the students. A goal that I have to increase worksite efficiency is to use technology to automate repetitive tasks currently done manually. Removing the easy task will allow more time for the more complicated tasks, ultimately leading to me growing my overall capacity. In my day-to-day job, the complex challenges are often stifled from completion because of the nuances of repetitive everyday tasks.
I often think about those tasks that fill up a teacher's day, taking away from their teaching ability. For example, something as simple as an automated report, but the person requesting said data prefers it to be handwritten because that is how they are fixed to think.
Moving forward with a growth mindset, I must always be mindful not to communicate a false growth mindset inadvertently. Instead, I must be explicit about why I am doing something that I find challenging and how it will grow my capacity. In addition, I must accept how the challenge supports me to learn and grow.
Lastly, I can not fall into the false growth mindset where I revert to completing easy tasks because I need a quick win to get my mind off the challenges I face. But unfortunately, I often find myself doing just that.
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