10 Real Life Fixed Mindset Vs Growth Mindset Examples

If you are looking for real-life fixed mindset vs. growth mindset examples, you’re in the right place! These mindsets are all around us, often influencing how we approach new challenges, embrace new experiences, and react to feedback. In fact, you likely encounter opportunities to choose between using a fixed and growth mindset in your own life multiple times a day!

Although the terms ‘growth mindset’ and ‘fixed mindset’ may seem straightforward, recognizing them in everyday situations can be tricky. Let’s face it, seeing failure as an opportunity for growth is rarely easy or comfortable. A fixed mindset often works hard to keep you in your comfort zone, making it even harder to learn from setbacks.

Psychologist Carol Dweck, a researcher from Stanford University, coined the concept of growth mindset vs. fixed mindset through extensive research on how mindset affects academic performance, social skills, and even professional life. Whether you’re facing difficult problems at work, constructive criticism from team members, or simply trying something new for the first time, how you react can have a significant impact on how you live your life.

To help you get started, I have put together this list of 10 examples of fixed mindset vs. growth mindset in various situations. These examples will illustrate how a growth-oriented mindset can turn challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth. My hope is that these examples inspire you to reflect on your own past experiences in order to find new ways to approach the difficult situations in your life.

But before we dive into these examples, let’s take a moment to explore the distinct differences between these two mindsets!

What is a Fixed Mindset?

A person with a fixed mindset believes that we are all born with basic abilities and talents that are unchangeable and cannot be improved over time.

Because of this, people with a fixed mindset tend to avoid new challenges and new perspectives. They see obstacles as threats to their abilities and intelligence rather than opportunities. 

People with a fixed mindset often have fear of failure. They may avoid new things because they worry that failure will undermine their intelligence, status, or self-worth.

This mindset often resists constructive feedback, viewing it as negative rather than a chance for personal development or professional development. Seeing other people succeed may trigger self-limiting beliefs, as they see it as a reflection of their own shortcomings.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A fixed mindset isn’t a permanent state. By recognizing triggers and making small changes in how we react to challenges, we can shift toward a growth mindset. Growth mindset views intelligence and abilities as qualities that can be developed through effort and learning.

This shift allows us to see failures as starting points for new ideas, learning opportunities, and personal growth.

People with a growth mindset embrace the idea of challenges and obstacles. These are the types of people who become energized by the idea of wrestling with a problem to see what they can learn.

People with a growth mindset see their strengths as developing, so they aren’t afraid to take a risk. There isn’t some sort of status that they fear losing by just trying something new. A person with a growth mindset who experiences failure hunts for how they can improve for next time.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

In the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, Dr. Dweck provides a powerful explanation for how a growth mindset can be used in our lives. You can check out our 5 key takeaways from Carol Dweck’s Mindset to learn how you can transform the way you work, parent, and live your life with your loved ones.

20 Fixed Mindset Vs Growth Mindset Examples

Let’s get into some examples so that you can see the power of a growth mindset in action!

Examples About Identity and Self-Improvement

Example 1:

• Fixed Mindset: “I’ve always been bad at math, and no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be good at it. It’s just not my thing.”
• Growth Mindset: “I may not be great at math yet, but with practice and the right strategies, I can improve. It’s a learning opportunity, not a limitation.”

​Tips For Success:

• Shift your self-talk: Replace “I can’t” with “I can improve with effort.”
• Embrace challenges: Start with small changes, like practicing for 10 minutes a day, and gradually tackle more difficult problems.
• Seek feedback: Constructive feedback from teachers or peers can guide your learning process and help you make progress.

Example 2:

• Fixed Mindset: “I’m just not a naturally social person, so I’ll never be good at networking or making new connections.”
• Growth Mindset: “I can improve my social skills over time. Every interaction is a chance to learn and grow, even if it feels awkward at first.”

Tips For Success:

• View setbacks as learning opportunities: If a conversation doesn’t go as planned, reflect on what you can learn from it and try again.
• Practice in low-stress environments: Start by engaging in small conversations or joining groups related to a new hobby.
• Adopt a love of learning: Approach social skills with the same curiosity and openness as you would when learning a new academic subject.

Examples About Comparing Self to Others

Example 3:

• Fixed Mindset: “She got higher grades than me because she’s just naturally smarter. I’ll never be as good as her, so why even try?”
• Growth Mindset: “Her higher grades are a result of hard work and effective study habits. I can improve by learning new strategies and putting in deliberate effort. This is just my starting point.”

Tips For Success:

• Shift your perspective: Instead of focusing on innate ability, see success as a result of effort and learning.
• Learn from others: Observe the habits of those who succeed and apply them to your own work. It’s a good idea to experiment with new study techniques.
• Embrace new challenges: Take on academic challenges with the mindset that they’re opportunities to grow your skills and brain activity, rather than a reflection of fixed qualities.

Example 4:

• Fixed Mindset: “He’s so successful at work because he’s a natural leader. I’ll never be able to take on big projects or make an impact like he does.”
• Growth Mindset: “Leadership skills can be developed over time. If I focus on improving my communication and teamwork, I can take on bigger roles and grow my influence at work.”

Tips For Succes:

• Adopt different perspectives: View the success of others as examples to learn from rather than comparing yourself and measuring up short.
• Focus on personal growth: Take small steps, such as leading a meeting or initiating a new project. These are important factors in developing leadership skills.
• Manage negative emotions: When comparing yourself to others, remind yourself that everyone’s growth process is unique. Use this as motivation rather than a reason to feel discouraged.

Examples About Effort

Example 5:

• Fixed Mindset: “If I have to put in too much effort, it means I’m not naturally talented. Successful people don’t struggle like this.”
• Growth Mindset: “Effort is an important factor in growth and success. Even the most talented people put in work to improve. Struggling is part of the learning process.”

Tips For Success:

• Challenge set assumptions: Remind yourself that effort is not a sign of weakness, but a sign that you’re growing.
• Find good reasons to keep going: Focus on the positive outcomes that come from pushing through challenges, rather than seeing effort as a burden.
• Adopt the new psychology of success: Embrace the idea that effort is the path to mastery, not just a fallback when natural ability isn’t enough.

For motivation to stay focused on growth and embracing challenges, check out our bundle of 8 mindset definition posters. Hanging these posters in your office or at home will remind you to choose growth through any challenges or setbacks that you encounter!

Example 6:

• Fixed Mindset: “I’ve tried hard, but I’m still not getting it. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this. There’s no point in continuing.”
• Growth Mindset: “Effort is the starting point, not the end. Persistence through challenges leads to progress, and every attempt is a step closer to success.”

Tips For Success:

• Focus on small wins: Stay focused and motivated, and remember that slow progress is better than no progress.
• Apply effort strategically: Recognize that sometimes adjusting your approach can make a difference, especially in educational environments or during workplace change.
• Remember Dweck’s theory: Researcher Carol Dweck emphasizes that effort rewires your brain for success. Keep this in mind to boost your mindset health.

Examples About Feedback and Criticism

Example 7:

• Fixed Mindset: “Negative feedback feels like a personal attack. If I were really good at this, I wouldn’t need criticism. It’s better to avoid it altogether.”
• Growth Mindset: “Feedback is a valuable tool for improvement, even if it’s hard to hear. Constructive criticism helps me identify areas where I can grow and refine my skills.”

Tips For Success:

• Change your perspective: View feedback as an opportunity rather than a judgment. Use it to improve your basic qualities and performance.
• Seek out constructive criticism: Regularly ask for feedback from others to continuously improve. Remember, even successful people rely on feedback to get better.
• Apply feedback with a growth mindset: Implement suggestions and track your progress to see how you can turn criticism into growth.

Example 8:

• Fixed Mindset: “Criticism is a sign that I lack natural ability. It makes me feel discouraged and less motivated. I’m not good enough.”
• Growth Mindset: “Criticism is a starting point for growth. It’s not about my innate talent but about how I can improve and become better with each piece of feedback I receive.”

Tips For Success:

• Stay open-minded: Approach feedback with curiosity, seeing it as a guide for your learning process rather than a negative reflection of your abilities.
• Turn feedback into action: Use criticism as a powerful tool to make adjustments and progress. Each piece of feedback is a new challenge to conquer.
• Manage negative emotions: When you feel discouraged, remind yourself that feedback is meant to help you, not define you. Focus on the good things it can bring to your personal and professional growth.

Examples About Learning

Example 9:

• Fixed Mindset: “Learning new things is frustrating because I should be able to get it right away. If I struggle, it means I’m just not good at it.”
• Growth Mindset: “Learning is a process, and it’s okay if it takes time. Every challenge I face is a chance to build new skills and strengthen my understanding.”

Tips For Success:

• Embrace the process: Recognize that struggling is a natural part of learning, not a sign of failure.
• Adopt different perspectives: View challenges as opportunities to expand your knowledge and abilities, rather than threats to your self-worth.
• Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge progress in your learning journey, even if it’s incremental. This positive reinforcement can help maintain a growth mindset.

Example 10:

• Fixed Mindset: “I’ll never be as good as others because they have natural talents that I don’t. Why bother trying to learn something I’m not naturally good at?”
• Growth Mindset: “Natural talents are just a starting point. With effort and dedication, I can improve and become just as skilled. Learning is about growth, not comparison.”

Tips For Success:

• Focus on deliberate practice: Identify areas where you can improve through consistent effort, rather than relying on innate abilities.
• Seek out new learning opportunities: Challenge yourself with new hobbies, academic subjects, or skills. This keeps your mindset health strong and opens up new possibilities.
• Understand the concept of neuroplasticity: Your brain is capable of forming new connections through learning, so embrace the idea that you can always improve, no matter your starting point.

Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset Examples in Your Life

It’s important to remember that challenges are inevitable. But the good news is that you can learn to start viewing challenges as learning opportunities. With a growth mindset, you can shift from seeing a challenge as a personal attack on your abilities to embracing it as a chance to develop new skills and perspectives.

My hope is that by seeing these fixed mindset vs. growth mindset examples side by side, you will start to understand how to apply a growth mindset to new challenges and everyday situations. Keep in mind that developing a growth mindset isn’t a one-time achievement. It’s a learning process that requires intentional effort and practice, just like mastering any other skill! 

Even with a growth mindset, you may find that fixed mindset triggers still pop up from time to time. This is especially true when facing difficult tasks or receiving negative feedback. But by reflecting on the examples of growth mindset that I shared above, you can start to approach setbacks as learning opportunities! Remember, there’s always value in the small challenges you encounter.

An easy way to start practicing your growth mindset is by reading through a list of motivational growth mindset quotes. These quotes will encourage you to put in the work needed to reach your full potential. For example, one of my favorite growth mindset quotes is: 

“You’ve got to be willing to crash and burn. If you’re afraid of failing, you won’t get very far,” – Steve Jobs

Whether you’re striving for better performance at work, building a more positive attitude, or simply aiming for a more growth-oriented mindset in your daily life, it’s important to embrace the journey. The hard work you put in will have many positive effects that you will see rippling across various aspects of your life.

So take a moment to pause and reflect on the different ways that you can use a growth mindset in your live. Set high expectations for yourself and keep an open mind, and you will start to see that even the toughest challenges can lead to great things!

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family on social media! If you know someone who you think would benefit from using a growth mindset, this post could be what they need to start seeing the growth opportunities in their life!

---