In the vast ocean of self-help literature, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck emerges as a beacon of insight for those who feel stalled in their personal and professional development.
Dweck, a renowned psychologist with an impressive social, personality, and developmental psychology background, delves deep into fixed and growth mindsets, offering a novel perspective on what truly fuels success.
The book is written in an easily digestible style, making complex psychological concepts accessible to anyone willing to embark on the journey from a fixed to a growth mindset.
It’s not just a book; it’s an invitation to rethink how we perceive intelligence, success, and our potential.
This enlightening guide targets students and professionals alike, particularly those grappling with challenges and seeking strategies to overcome obstacles and thrive in their respective fields.
The book doesn’t just theorize; it equips readers with practical tools and real-life examples to help them understand the triggers of the fixed mindset, overcome self-doubt, and shatter limiting beliefs.
What sets “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” apart is its transformative potential. It’s not about quick fixes or guaranteed success but rather fostering an enduring shift in mindset. It’s about understanding that intelligence and success aren’t solely determined by innate abilities but can be achieved through continuous growth and resilience.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the insights and implications of Dweck’s groundbreaking work in the upcoming sections of this review.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Review
Overall
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Third Party
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Quality
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Cost
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Design
Summary
This book details fixed and growth mindsets, giving students and professionals who feel stuck in their growth a new & effective way to look at things.
Pros
- Grounded, persuasive research
- Guides to handle rejection and failure
- Encourages learning from criticism
- Promotes inspiration from others’ success
- Challenges beliefs about talent, intelligence
Cons
- May stereotype and limit abilities
- Could overlook individual differences
- Possibly ignores fixed mindset benefits
- Learning new skills may be challenging
About Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck is a groundbreaking exploration into fixed and growth mindsets. Dweck, a celebrated psychologist, presents these mindsets as determinants of personal and professional success.
Here’s a breakdown of our key takeaways:
- Key Concepts:
- Fixed mindset: Belief in innate and unchangeable abilities
- Growth mindset: Belief in malleable abilities
- Practical Applicability:
- Relatable examples from diverse domains
- Eight sections exploring mindset’s influence on growth
- Promotes:
- Awareness of mindsets and their impact
- Cultivating a growth mindset
- Unique Perspectives:
- Mindset’s influence on defining failure and success
- Effects on learning, relationships, and achievement
- Transformative Approach:
- Shift from proving to improving oneself
- Not for everyone:
- Seeking guaranteed success strategies or bothered by the author’s critique of failed CEOs? It might not align with your expectations.
Overall, if you are interested in personal and professional growth and willing to challenge notions about intelligence and success? Mindset: The New Psychology of Success could be the transformative read you’ve been waiting for.
Best Features and Benefits
In our opinion, here are the best features and benefits of the book:
- Developing a Growth Mindset: The book provides tools to understand and cultivate a growth mindset, leading to personal and professional growth.
- Greater Confidence and Happiness: Adopting a growth mindset fosters confidence, happiness, and well-being.
- Improved Performance: A growth mindset can lead to higher accomplishment and success.
- Longer, Healthier Lives: Research suggests those with a growth mindset live longer, healthier lives.
- Accessible Content: The book is easily digestible and engaging, appealing to many readers.
- Expert Authorship: Carol Dweck, a leading researcher in personality, social, and developmental psychology, lends her expertise.
- Overcoming Self-Doubt: The book offers strategies to understand and manage fixed mindset triggers and self-doubt.
- Embracing Fixed Mindset (Without Shame): Readers are encouraged to acknowledge their fixed mindset and give it a persona.
- Investment in Personal Growth: Cultivating a growth mindset can lead to personal growth and success.
- Practical Guidance: The book provides actionable advice for developing a growth mindset and overcoming self-limiting beliefs.
Who is This Book For (and Worst For)
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck is a widely acclaimed book that offers valuable insights and tools for individuals seeking personal growth but may not resonate as much with those who already embody a strong growth mindset or lack interest in self-development.
- Best for Individuals Seeking Personal Growth: The book is an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the power of mindset and its impact on success.
- Best for Those Struggling with Self-Doubt: It offers practical insights to overcome limiting beliefs and self-doubt.
- Best for Those Desiring a Growth Mindset: If you want to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, this book is for you.
- Less Useful for Individuals with a Strong Growth Mindset: Those with a strong growth mindset may find less new information in the book.
- Less Useful for Those Uninterested in Personal Development: If personal development isn’t your priority, this book may not align with your interests.
My Experience with Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Reading the book and listening to the YouTube audio immersed me in exploring fixed and growth mindsets. As a psychologist and researcher, Dweck has simplified these complex concepts and made them easily digestible and applicable.
While I had used growth mindsets in my previous work as an eating disorder therapist, I still valued re-reading this book for this review! Why? Because the concepts are profound and have wide-reaching implications.
One of the most impactful lessons I took away was understanding how powerful our mindset can be. The book emphasizes that attitude shapes our beliefs about ourselves, influencing our behavior, outlook, and mental health.
No surprise there!
The personal stories shared, particularly Carol’s journey and the tales about Michael Jordan, were inspiring and practical examples of the growth mindset in action. These narratives showed me that embracing a growth mindset could lead to resilience, perseverance, and success.
Understanding the distinction between a growth mindset was another invaluable lesson. Where a fixed mindset can limit us and keep us stuck in old patterns, a growth mindset opens up a world of possibilities, fostering learning, improvement, and personal development.
This newfound knowledge has instilled in me a greater sense of self-confidence. Yes! I now, more than ever, see challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for growth.
Our only criticism is that the book doesn’t acknowledge the tremendous struggles people face. The book also could better explain the causes of a fixed mindset, such as trauma.
Success” is simply a transformative read and listen. It’s a highly recommended resource for anyone looking to understand and harness the power of mindset for personal and professional growth.
Overall, we give Mindset: The New Psychology of Success a Quality Score of (4.85/5)
Our Favorite Quotes
Diving into “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck offers a wealth of insightful and transformative quotes that have the potential to reshape your understanding of personal growth.
Here are some of our favorites:
1. “But it was those with the fixed mindset who accounted for almost all the inaccuracy.” This quote highlights the limitations of a fixed mindset, reminding us of the power of adaptability and growth.
2. “They see the world as within their control.” A testament to the empowering nature of a growth mindset, this quote underscores the importance of taking charge of our own lives.
3. “They have greater confidence, are happier, healthier, and live longer.” A powerful reminder of the far-reaching benefits of a growth mindset, extending beyond mere academic or professional success to overall well-being.
4. “They accomplish more.” This simple yet profound statement motivates us to adopt a growth mindset and unlock our full potential.
5. “It’s not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest.” It is an inspiring reminder that intelligence is not fixed but can be developed over time, irrespective of where we start.
6. “Mindsets are just beliefs. They’re powerful beliefs, but they’re just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.” This quote empowers us to challenge our existing beliefs and embrace the possibility of change.
7. “Becoming is better than being.” This a poignant reminder that the journey of personal growth and development is more valuable than any destination or static state of ‘being.’
So, we love these quotes! And while the book is well designed, it doesn’t have any particularly outstanding images, in our opinion.
Overall, we give Mindset: The New Psychology of Success a Design Review Score of (4/5)
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Pros and Cons
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck is a transformative book that explores the power of our beliefs and how they shape our success, although it has been criticized.
- Pro: Insightful Exploration of Mindsets: The book provides deep insights into the difference between fixed and growth mindsets.
- Pro: Practical Growth Mindset Strategies: It offers practical strategies to cultivate a growth mindset.
- Pro: Wide Application: Dweck explores the impact of mindsets on various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and education.
- Pro: Engaging Examples: The book includes relatable stories and examples that illustrate the power of a growth mindset.
- Pro: Encourages Personal and Professional Growth: It promotes personal and professional growth and success.
- Con: Research Replicability: Some critics have reported difficulty in replicating Dweck’s research in educational studies.
- Con: Expectations Management: The book may not appeal to those looking for guaranteed success strategies.
- Con: Criticism of Failed CEOs: Dweck’s critiques of failed CEOs may not resonate with all readers.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Third-Party Reviews
- Goodreads – 4.09/5 from 10,401 reviews
- Amazon – 4.6/5 from 20,449 ratings
- Four Minute Books – 4.5/5 based on 25 votes
- Barnes and Noble – 4.1/5 from 86 reviews
Overall, we give Mindset: The New Psychology of Success a Third-Party Review Score of 4.4/5.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Is It Evidence-Based?
Yes! This book is grounded in empirical evidence.
- Research-Backed Concepts: The concepts of growth and fixed perspectives are based on extensive research conducted by Dweck and other meta-analyses.
- Case Studies: The book includes case studies of renowned individuals like Michael Jordan, providing real-world evidence of these concepts.
- Psychological Principles: The principles discussed in the book are grounded in established psychological theories.
- Citations of Dweck’s Research: Dweck’s research, published in reputable journals, forms the foundation of the book’s concepts.
- Endorsement by Psychologists: The book has been endorsed by psychologists and thought leaders in the field, further validating its content.
- Criticism of Evidence: Some critics argue that the evidence, particularly regarding applying a growth mindset in education, is not as robust as it could be.
How Much Does Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Cost
- Kindle = $12.49
- Audiobook = $13.08
- Hardcover = $21.30
- Paperback = $11.66
- Spiral-Bound = $25.55
Barnes and Noble
- Hardcover = $24.99
- Paperback = $14.99
While the cost is reasonable, it’s also about average for this type of book, so that’s why …
Overall, we give Mindset: The New Psychology of Success a Cost Review Score of (3/5)
Alternatives to Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
While “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck provides a compelling exploration of the power of mindset, other insightful books or journal prompts delve into similar concepts of personal and professional growth.
- “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth explores the concept of ‘grit’ as a critical factor in achieving success.
- “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink: Pink delves into the role of intrinsic motivation in driving success.
- “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman: Kahneman’s book examines how our thinking patterns, both fast and slow, shape our decisions.
- “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” by Daniel Goleman: Explores the importance of emotional intelligence in personal and professional success.
- “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead” by Brené Brown: Brown discusses the transformative power of vulnerability in achieving personal growth.
Is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Legit Conclusion
In conclusion, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck is an enlightening exploration of the power of our beliefs and the impact they can have on nearly every aspect of our lives.
This book offers a deep dive into fixed and growth mindsets, providing a transformative perspective to help students and professionals who feel stuck in their personal or career development.
The book goes beyond simply outlining these concepts to offering actionable strategies for fostering a growth mindset, which the author argues is critical to success. It challenges the notion of natural talent as the sole determinant of success, emphasizing the importance of effort, hard work, and continuous learning.
Moreover, it offers insights into the potential benefits of fostering a growth mindset at an organizational level, suggesting that this can lead to greater employee satisfaction, commitment, and ethical behavior.
However, it’s worth noting that this book may not resonate with those looking for guaranteed success strategies or who might be uncomfortable with the author’s critique of failed CEOs. But this book could be a game-changer for those open to introspection and willing to challenge their existing beliefs.
Through compelling case studies, including the likes of Michael Jordan, and backed by expert evidence and research, Dweck makes a persuasive case for the transformative power of mindset. Whether you’re a student feeling stuck or a professional seeking personal development, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” promises to be a worthy investment in your journey toward achieving your full potential.