Dr Dweck discusses the difference between people with a "Fixed" mindset and those with a "Growth" mindset. People with a fixed mindset see talent and ability and innate fixed qualities, and struggle through life trying to prove and validate their own worth. Those with a growth mindset see talent and ability as things a person can learn and develop, so they tend to welcome challenges and have more success in life. These mindsets affect people in different aspects in their lives and explain the success or failure of many famous business, education and sports leaders.
I read this book because it was recommended to me by one of my Library Board members. As I began reading it I thought it was an interesting concept and it made me look for evidence of either a fixed or growth mindset in my own life. As I continued reading, however, I began to wonder if the author was really converted to the growth mindset. She pretty harshly judges some famous people and idolizes others in an effort to validate her idea. Isn't constantly seeking validation an symptom of the fixed mindset? I also wasn't really convinced by the sections about how to develop a growth mindset. It mostly sounded like, "if you aren't succeeding, you just need to try harder and not give up." Well, yes, but at some point you need to step back and figure out if what you are striving for is really making you happy. Also, she takes as evidence of a successful life as getting into the right school/sports team, having a brilliant career, and making lots of money. I guess I have read too many books based on more Asian type philosophies to really accept fame and money as a true measure of success. So in the end, I thought her main concept was mostly good and worth thinking about, but her illustration of it was lacking. (2007, 320 p)
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