by Dr. Carol S. Dweck
I picked up this book after reading Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin. While Colvin’s argument about talent vs. hard work was interesting, something didn’t fully click for me. Then I stumbled upon Mindset — and this book completely transformed my belief system about what “talent” really is and what growth actually means.
I didn’t have a clear expectation going in. I was simply curious to understand the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset. Instead, this book opened an entirely new world for me. It changed how I think, how I learn, and how I approach challenges. I now recognize when I’m falling into a fixed mindset — and it’s so much easier to shift out of it or recognize it in others.
📝 What’s it about?
Dr. Carol S. Dweck explains in a vivid and relatable way what distinguishes a fixed mindset from a growth mindset, and why this difference matters so deeply.
She shows, for example, how praising intelligence can trap children in a fixed mindset — one that reduces curiosity, discourages effort, and makes them fear challenges. Through real-life examples from sports, business, education, and relationships, she reveals how mindsets shape our lives, and how easily we can shift from one to the other.
The examples often feel uncomfortably familiar — but they also offer clear, practical solutions. Dweck shows how we can break out of a fixed mindset, move toward growth, and ultimately reach more of our potential.
🧐 Who would benefit from this?
This book is for anyone who’s ever wondered why some people thrive in the face of challenges while others retreat the moment things get difficult. Mindset takes you deep into the psychology behind those differences and shows how they play out in everyday life — in school, in sports, at work, and even in parenting.
Whether you’re a parent trying to nurture curiosity in your child, a teacher looking for ways to spark genuine motivation in your students, or an athlete who wants to understand what truly drives improvement, this book offers valuable insights. It’s just as helpful for leaders and CEOs who want to recognize which team members are willing to grow — and how to create an environment where learning, not perfection, is the standard.
But you don’t need to be in any of those roles to benefit. If you’re someone who feels stuck, someone who keeps hitting the same walls, or someone who secretly wonders whether you’re “just not talented enough,” this book helps you question those beliefs. It shows how much potential is still available when you shift the way you think about effort, failure, and success.
Ultimately, this book is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better — and unlock more of what they’re capable of.
🤓 Key Takeaways
Takeaway #1: Don’t avoid challenges — embrace them.
One of the most powerful lessons from Mindset is that the stories we tell ourselves about our abilities directly shape our behavior. People with a fixed mindset see challenges as threats: every difficult task becomes a test of whether they’re “smart enough” or “talented enough.” Because of that, they often stay in their comfort zone, avoiding anything that might expose their weaknesses.
Those with a growth mindset approach life differently. They lean into challenges because they understand that effort is not a sign of inadequacy — it’s the path to mastery. Instead of protecting their ego, they prioritize learning. A setback isn’t a verdict but a stepping stone.
Dweck shows how this shift in perspective can completely change your relationship to progress. Once you realize that abilities aren’t fixed but expandable, challenges stop feeling intimidating and start feeling exciting — opportunities to stretch, adapt, and evolve.
Fixed-mindset thinking leads to fear, avoidance, and stagnation.
Growth-mindset thinking leads to resilience, learning, and long-term success.
Takeaway #2: Don’t push others into a fixed mindset.
The way we speak to others has a profound influence on how they see themselves. Dweck demonstrates this beautifully with her research on praise: when children are praised for their intelligence (“You’re so smart!”), they begin to fear challenges, because failing would contradict that label. Their identity becomes fragile.
But when children are praised for their effort, strategies, and persistence, something shifts. They become curious. Brave. Motivated. They start looking for challenges instead of avoiding them, because their sense of worth isn’t tied to always succeeding — it’s tied to trying.
And this doesn’t just apply to children. Adults also internalize labels. A colleague praised only for “natural talent” may hide their struggles and avoid taking risks. Someone praised for their discipline and improvement becomes more open, more resilient, more growth-oriented.
Whether you’re a parent, a partner, a teacher, a leader — or a physiotherapist guiding patients through difficult progress — the message is the same: praise the effort, not the label. You help people grow when you focus on what they can do, not what they supposedly are.
Takeaway #3: Recognize it — then adjust.
Shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset isn’t about pretending to be endlessly positive. It’s about awareness. Dweck outlines a simple but transformative four-step process: notice your fixed mindset voice, understand what triggers it, give it a name, and then gently guide it into a healthier direction.
This makes the mindset shift feel human and accessible. Everyone has a fixed-mindset voice — that whisper that says “You can’t do this,” “You’re not good at that,” or “Better not try, you might fail.” Instead of suppressing it or letting it run the show, Dweck encourages you to observe it with curiosity.
Once you recognize it, you can question it. Once you question it, you can change it.
And over time, this practice rewires how you interpret difficulties. A setback becomes data. A challenge becomes an invitation. A failure becomes part of the process rather than a reflection of who you are.
Growth doesn’t begin with action. It begins with awareness — and the willingness to rewrite the inner narrative.
🚀 Lesson learned
Notice when you’re stuck in a fixed mindset and ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Don’t feed your ego by staying comfortable. Challenge yourself — that’s where growth happens.
💥 How it impacted me
Before reading this book, I was trapped in a fixed mindset in many areas of my life.
For example, I always believed I was “too dumb” to understand finances. In school, I never got it — so I assumed I never would. But it turns out, you can learn it. Is it harder for me than learning anatomy or physiology? Definitely. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. “I don’t understand this” was just an excuse not to try.
Same with sports. I’m short — so I assumed I’d never be good at running or climbing. But mindset matters more than height. Plenty of athletes succeeded despite imperfect physical conditions by using strategy, creativity, and mental strength.
In climbing, for example, my size gives me advantages: tiny holds others can’t use, rest positions taller athletes can’t reach. The moment I stopped saying “I can’t” and started asking “How can I use my body or mind to my advantage?” everything changed.
This shift didn’t just make me more capable — it made me more positive.
And positivity truly can rewire your brain.
✍🏻 The 3 Most Powerful Quote
The fixed mindset makes you concerned with how you’ll be judged; the growth mindset makes you concerned with improving.
Dr. Carol S. Dweck
Mindsets are just beliefs. They’re powerful beliefs, but they’re just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.
Dr. Carol S. Dweck
In the end, many people with the fixed mindset understand that their cloak of specialness was really a suit of armor they built to feel safe, strong, and worthy.
Dr. Carol S. Dweck
If you’re looking for a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, this is the one to pick up next.
Stay inquisitive and happy reading.
Yours,
Carina 🦊
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