236 Quotes by Carol S. Dweck

The idea that one evaluation can measure you forever is what creates the urgency for those with the fixed mindset. That’s why they must succeed perfectly and immediately. Who can afford the luxury of trying to grow when everything is on the line right now?

But if your claim to fame is not having any deficiencies - if you’re considered a genius, a talent, or a natural - then you have a lot to lose. Effort can reduce you.

If parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning. That way, their children don't have to be slaves of praise. They will have a lifelong way to build and repair their own confidence.

Just because someone can do something with little or no training, it doesn’t mean that others can’t do it (and sometimes do it even better) with training.

...when people already know they're deficient, they have nothing to lose by trying.

Does ability automatically take you where you want to go?

Think of something you need to do, something you want to learn, or a problem you have to confront. What is it? Now make a concrete plan. When will you follow through on your plan? Where will you do it? How will you do it? Think about it in vivid detail.

In the fixed mindset, imperfections are shameful - especially if you’re talented - so they lied them away.

The growth mindset also doesn't mean everything that can be changed should be changed. We all need to accept some of our imperfections, especially the ones that don't really harm our lives or the lives of others.