“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” is a book written by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dwek. Based on decades of research on achievement and success, Dwek outlines how with the right mindset, we can fulfill our potential and achieve our toughest goals.
Everyone on our team is reading the book and discussing how we can apply some of the principles outlined in the book in both our private and professional lives. The first chapter outlines the two basic mindsets – the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. According to Dwek, a fixed mindset is one in which you believe your “qualities are carved in stone” while a growth mindset is “based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts.”
In the PR world, as with many professions, our work is ever-changing and oftentimes, we are tasked with challenging projects. In order to be successful, it can be helpful to have a growth mindset and look at these challenges as a way to grow professionally. When we are pitching stories on behalf of our clients, we are often faced with roadblocks, such as journalists not having the resources to write an article or not having enough time for a briefing. It’s important to look at these roadblocks as a challenge and creatively brainstorm ways to secure that coveted coverage or media or analyst briefing – rather than just giving up and blaming ourselves for failing to achieve success. For example, if the journalist is pressed for time and isn’t able to write an article because the publication is understaffed, we could offer to write a byline article or editorial to save time and resources.
It’s been fascinating to discover how a mindset can really influence the various aspects of your life. Have you been faced with a challenge recently in your professional or personal life? How would you evaluate your mindset in that particular situation? We would love to hear about your experience and how you think your mindset impacted the outcome of the situation.
Tags: Carol Dwek, Fixed Mindset, Growth Mindset, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Stanford University Filed under: News, Reputation Management, Strategy