Mindset

Ideas gleaned from an article published in the ASCA Newsletter entitled: “Learning is winning and success is doing everything just right.”

Thanks to my membership in the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) I was introduced to a new concept in teaching, learning and motivation.  Several years ago I received a newsletter from ASCA that introduced me to a new way of looking at teaching/coaching, learning, success and winning.  The article in the ASCA Newsletter was based on a book written by Dr Carol Dweck of Stanford University.  In her book called Mindset, she writes that to be successful and sustain motivation everyone needs to develop, or cultivate what is called a “growth mindset”.

In her book Dr Dweck proposes that there are two types of mindsets, a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  A fixed mindset person is defined as those who “…believe their basic qualities, such as intelligence and abilities are fixed, and can't be developed. They also believe that talent alone creates success, and see effort as a sign of weakness rather than as a positive element of life needed to reach one's full potential.”  A growth mindset person is defined as, “…people [who] believe they can develop their brain, abilities, and talent”.  In Dr Dweck’s research she has found that the person who cultivates a growth mindset has “…a love for learning, a drive for growth and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishments”.  The chart on the next page illustrates the differences between those who have a fixed mindset and those who have a growth mindset.  

According to Dr Dweck, those who believe that their success is based on their innate ability are thought to have a “fixed” theory of intelligence, or in other words a fixed mind set. Those who believe that their success is based on their individual hard work, training, and commitment are said to have a “growth” an “incremental” theory of intelligence (a growth mindset). The two types of mindsets are defined as:

1.     Fixed mindset:  The belief that we’re born with a fixed amount of intelligence and ability. People operating in the fixed mindset are prone to avoiding challenges and failures, thereby robbing themselves of a life rich experience and learning

2.     Growth Mindset: The belief that with practice, perseverance, and effort, people have limitless potential to learn and grow. People operating in the growth mindset tackle challenges with aplomb, unconcerned with making mistakes or being embarrassed, focusing instead on the process of growth.

“In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this.”  Willie Mays 

A large part of our “mindset”, whether it is a fixed or growth Mindset, will be influenced by constructive criticism. As coaches we must be willing to teach in such a manner that helps the student-athlete to learn how to handle the stress of training, the demands of learning and the characteristics of a successful swimmer. When we teach/coach, we need to communicate things in a positive manner so that the student-athlete will think in a positive manner. For example, instead of correcting student-athlete’s technique by saying “don’t do that.” We might try saying something like this, “your freestyle was very good but to make it belter I think you should work on the catching the water a little sooner after you enter the water while keeping the elbow a little higher in the water with your armpit open a little more to the bottom of the pool”.

We can help our student-athletes develop a growth mind set by teaching in a positive matter and by setting up training situations to motivate and help the student-athlete embrace challenges and learn from them. We can give them cues on which to focus in any given set and then, after the set was performed ask them for feedback, about what they learned during the set. Have them give you three things they learned while performing the set. We can help them further to develop a growth mind set by expecting them tell us what they learned and how they can make it better the next time they have the opportunity to the given swim or set.

Here is a sample Mindset Questionnaire:

Mindset Questionnaire

_____  1.  There are just some things I’ll never be good at.

_____  2.  When I make a mistake, I try to learn from it.

_____  3.  When others do better than me, I feel threatened.

_____  4.  I enjoy getting out of my comfort zone.

_____  5.  When I show others I’m smart or talented, I feel successful.

_____  6.  I feel inspired by the success of others.

_____  7.  I feel good when I can do something others cannot.

_____  8.  It’s possible to change how intelligent you are.

_____  9.  You shouldn’t have to try to be smart-you just are or you aren’t.

_____ 10.  I enjoy taking on a new challenge or task with which I am unfamiliar.

Odd-numbered statements indicate a fixed mindset, Even-numbered statements illustrate a growth min

If you want to test yourself click on the following link and take the Minset quiz.

Which are you? Thank you to Dr Carol Dweck for her work on Mindset. In the following weeks I will blog more about this great theory and tool. More on Mindset later.

https://mindsetonline.com/testyourmindset/step1.php