What is a Fixed Mindset? Definition, Examples & Comparison

A fixed mindset is a belief that a person’s intelligence and abilities are fixed traits that cannot be improved or changed. People with a fixed mindset hold this self-limiting belief which can hold them back from achieving their full potential across all areas of life because they give in easily or can be threatened by others’ success [1]. By viewing talents, intelligence, and abilities as unchangeable traits, a fixed mindset prevents personal growth and skill development, often leading to unfulfilled dreams and unrealized potential [1].

By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your unique strengths and areas for growth, empowering you to cultivate a more growth-oriented mindset. The HIGH5 test provides a personalized roadmap for leveraging your natural strengths while continuously developing new skills, helping you overcome the self-limiting beliefs of a fixed mindset and unlock your true potential. In this article, we’ll explore what a fixed mindset is and how it affects your personal life, business/career, and entrepreneurial pursuits. We’ll show you various ways to change your mindset for the better, including leveraging the HIGH5 strengths assessment.

This powerful tool can help you identify your unique strengths and provide a personalized roadmap for developing a growth mindset. By understanding and applying your strengths, you can overcome the limitations of a fixed mindset and unlock your true potential. Let’s dive in and discover how the HIGH5 test can transform your approach to personal and professional growth.

What is a fixed mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that your talents, intelligence, skills, and qualities are fixed traits that cannot be developed or changed [1]. This limiting mindset prevents personal growth, as individuals with a fixed mindset often feel they don’t need to work on improving their abilities or gaining new knowledge or that there is no point exerting this effort because these traits are fixed. The HIGH5 test provides a personalized roadmap for leveraging your natural strengths while continuously developing new skills, helping you overcome the self-limiting beliefs of a fixed mindset. When you have a growth mindset you can identify and utilize strengths and areas of challenge, and by working on personal growth you have an opportunity to meaningfully develop plans in order to meet your goals instead of staying stuck.

10 characteristics of a person with a fixed mindset

The following are 10 characteristics of individuals who have a fixed mindset [2,3,4]:

They strongly agree with these statements: “You have a certain amount of intelligence and you can’t do much to change it.”, “You can only do so much to change how intelligent you are.” , “People are born smart – or not.”
They believe that their abilities (intellect, talent, etc.) are simply fixed traits (unchangeable).
They speak about achievements in absolute terms, being something they “can” or “cannot” attain
They don’t like challenges (as this will confirm their belief or hurt their ego) and they don’t like being criticized when doing the task.
They are always focusing on the outcome of something or how well they do at it, rather than how hard they work towards achieving it.
Their behavior is affected by a bad performance (not doing as well as people expect them to do).
They attribute their mistakes to their personality (“I’m just no good at this kind of thing.”) rather than external factors (“This was harder than I thought, but if I could give myself more time and support,”).
They are not fascinated with learning and improving for their own sake (for example, challenging themselves in a particular activity).
They are not interested in learning from their mistakes and may blame others for their shortcomings.
They believe that talent is more important than effort when trying to reach a goal or task of any kind. They may experience failure in life because they don’t see the connection between effort and rewards.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

Leverage your HIGH5 strengths to counteract fixed mindset traits. For example, if you have the strength of ‘Learner,’ use it to challenge the belief that abilities are fixed. Embrace new learning opportunities to demonstrate to yourself that growth is always possible.

19 examples of the fixed mindset

Now that we’ve looked at the different characteristics of a fixed mindset, let’s move away from theory and give you specific examples of how a fixed mindset might be demonstrated by our actions.

Focusing on the outcome instead of how hard you need to work towards it.
Not enjoying challenges and being afraid of failure.
Having a natural inclination to want to rely on other people’s approval and validation for your intelligence, achievements, or for things that you do in general.
Discounting or discrediting your success by pointing out external factors such as lucky timing or others who were helping you.
Refusing help from others when they willingly offer it freely (needless to say, this can lead you down a lonely path).
Feeling intimidated when doing something important with other individuals who have invested more time than you have into their craft or who have a different skill set than you.
Blaming others for your mistakes or failures (instead of taking responsibility).
Focusing on learning/gaining the least amount of knowledge possible since it’s considered extra work that you don’t believe will have an impact anyway.
Having an overall lack of interest in what makes someone successful and how they accomplished the things they did.
Believing that your personality and natural abilities are far more important than the effort you put into something or how long you’ve been practicing/training.
Discounting the possibility of overcoming obstacles, just because they feel impossible at first or your natural talents don’t align with the skills required to address the issue.
Caring about what others think about you a lot more than necessary Worrying too much about what other people will say or think if you fail in front of them, rather than just going for it and dealing with their reaction later (if they even have one).
Being too worried about failure that you don’t even try your best to succeed.
Believing that you have to be good at something before even starting.
Thinking of a specific task as being beneath you because your mind is already made up about its insignificance or simplicity.
Thinking of failure as being an end-all-be-all in any particular endeavor (when failure is always just a stepping stone on the way to success).
Assuming that other people are more talented or intelligent than you are.
Not having a genuine interest in learning from others who were in their shoes because they believe that knowledge is fixed and can’t really change.
Judging someone, or only being able to see someone’s worth in a fixed way and not seeing them as an individual who can grow and change.

Benefits of a fixed mindset

Having a fixed mindset is not all bad. There are some ‘advantages’ of having this type of mindset. Here are some of them [5]:

A fixed mindset gives you a sense of belonging

This means that people with a fixed mindset can easily find their niche in any situation. They will likely do well at the activities they set their mind to, and being skilled at something or interested in certain things can help create a sense of connectedness with like-minded people.

The work is easier because the approach to it is now fixed

With a fixed mindset, the person can stop worrying about creative ideas and whatever is outside of their job. This means that they will not engage in what-if thinking (which might lead them astray from their plan), let alone spend unnecessary time trying to be more effective at a non-fixed activity. Things are clear, and it’s always just one path or another one – one is not better than the other, both are fine however work has to get done. Fixed mindset people try their best not to make any mistakes or miscalculations. At least not until they “go off track” caused by some kind of external influence which was impossible to predict anyway. Things are clear, and it’s always just one path or another – having a clear plan, or a clear idea of how to achieve something can free up a cognitive or mental load.

Reduced burnout

People with a fixed mindset are less likely to get burned out or experience stress because they are less likely to step outside of their comfort zone or overextend themselves.

Drawbacks of a fixed mindset

Let’s have a look at some of the dangers of having a fixed mindset.

You are not able to change even if the situation requires it

Since you have already settled on what you will do, your mindset is fixed and nothing can change that. This can make it hard to adapt, or grow as a person or professionally. Certain situations can be better handled when we apply a range of different strategies so people with a fixed mindset might experience stress, delays or even failure if they cannot adapt.

You might never achieve your dreams

That’s one of the most tragic results of having a fixed mindset because once people get bogged down by their own limiting beliefs about themselves, they start believing there’s nothing else left for them but a mediocre existence. Self-limiting beliefs can keep people stuck and can influence their self-esteem so unless they can address their negative cognitions they may never be able to reach their potential.

Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset

The fixed mindset revolves around the premise that people’s skills and abilities are fixed, meaning they cannot change their skills or develop new skills outside of their natural abilities [1]. The fixed mindset can be increasingly damaging to anyone’s self-esteem and may limit their potential. The growth mindset, however, acknowledges that people can grow, and learn and that their talents and abilities can change over time. Such growth occurs when people continue to learn and challenge themselves, as well as apply their existing skills to try to solve problems.

Those with a fixed mindset are more prone to giving up on their goals. They may end up taking negative feedback to heart, as it is viewed as something they cannot control or improve upon. Growth-oriented individuals tend to be more positive and are more likely to develop a passion for lifelong learning and self-improvement, while the fixed mindset limits opportunities for growth and experiences decreased motivation levels.

How to change from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset?

We all have fixed mindsets sometimes. There are many reasons why people adopt this perspective, but it’s crucial to recognize when you’re limiting yourself and take steps to change. One powerful tool in this transformation is the HIGH5 strengths assessment. By taking this test, you gain valuable insights into your unique strengths, which can serve as a foundation for developing a growth mindset. Understanding your strengths allows you to approach challenges with confidence, knowing you have inherent capabilities to draw upon.

The HIGH5 test not only identifies your strengths but also provides strategies for leveraging them in various situations, helping you shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. This personalized approach makes the journey of mindset change more tangible and achievable. You can compare fixed vs. growth mindset in our guide. Developing a fixed mindset into a growth mindset can be done in several ways – the most important one is by realizing that you are the only one who can change your life. No one is going to come and give you an opportunity or take your hand when things seem tough. It’s up to you if you want to do something about it.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

Use your HIGH5 strengths as a springboard for developing a growth mindset. Identify a strength you want to enhance and set specific goals to improve it. This practice of intentional strength development can help you internalize the belief that abilities can be cultivated through effort and learning.

Changing certain thoughts into positive ones

Every time a negative thought comes to mind, try turning it around by replacing it with a more positive thought [6]. Try to find evidence that trying new things is ok and it takes practice to improve, or that you aren’t a failure if you don’t succeed at something the first time.

Watch other people

Sometimes in order to stop making the same mistakes we need to try new things. Many people (especially those with fixed mindsets) can find it hard to problem-solve or get creative. It can help to watch other people or ask them how they handle things or manage certain situations that you are struggling with [6]. It can help identify new possibilities and you can see how change might result in better outcomes.

Take risks

It’s the only way to achieve anything worthwhile in life. By taking chances and being willing to walk on a thin line, you’ll find out that there are unlimited possibilities out there waiting for you to discover them.

Learn more

If you have a fixed mindset then learning can be key to changing your ways of thinking [6]. It might be hard to see the value in learning if you have a fixed mindset, but if you expose yourself to new skills or new ways of thinking it can help to challenge your static thoughts and perceptions.

Build your self-esteem

If you struggle with a fixed mindset you might experience low self-esteem or confidence. So just do little things, take small actions, or set small goals which when added together will create a big change over time. If you have a fixed mindset it might be hard to take a big leap, so start small and build a more positive sense of self by starting with activities you feel confident you can achieve and slowly branching out, or trying new things. By thinking positive thoughts and focusing on the bigger picture – soon enough your new mindset will start taking over. The best thing about having a growth mindset is that it doesn’t care about your past and only concentrates on all the good things you will achieve in the future.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

One powerful step in cultivating a growth mindset is to take the HIGH5 strengths assessment. By identifying your innate strengths, you can leverage them as a foundation for continuous learning and skill development. The personalized insights from the HIGH5 test can help you reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth, enabling you to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes rather than viewing them as failures. Regularly revisiting your strengths assessment can also provide a motivational boost, reminding you of your inherent potential for growth and development.

What is a mixed mindset?

A mixed mindset is a belief system where an individual holds both fixed and growth mindset characteristics. This means that while they may view certain abilities or traits as fixed and unchangeable, they simultaneously believe that other skills and qualities can be developed and improved through effort and learning [7]. This dual perspective can create internal conflicts but also offers the potential for personal growth in areas where the individual maintains a growth-oriented view.

Fixed mindset FAQ

What is a fixed mindset for students?

If you are a student, a fixed mindset might be holding you back from achieving the results you want or could stop you from achieving your academic potential. This is because by staying stuck in your old ways of thinking, new possibilities can’t become reality. If you keep limiting yourself to believing that nothing will change – soon enough this will become a permanent reality for you. By stopping yourself from taking risks and not pushing beyond where you’re comfortable, your mindset will never improve. Use these questions as a way to find out if you have a fixed mindset:

Do I fear challenging myself?
Do I think that everything has already been discovered?
Do I think other people are smarter than me?
Am I scared of failure/results being bad?
Do I enjoy learning new things?
Do I think that others are better than me?
Do I believe in changing my mindset?
Am I willing to challenge myself in new ways?

What is the main idea of a fixed mindset?

The main idea of a fixed mindset is that it doesn’t allow you to believe that you can change your skills, qualities, and abilities. A fixed mindset makes you think that your skills aren’t subject to change. As a result, individuals with fixed insets view their intelligence and abilities as innate and fixed. This limits their potential and slows down their progress.

What are the 5 elements of a fixed mindset?

Five fixed mindsets are believing intelligence is static, avoiding challenges, giving up easily, ignoring feedback, and feeling threatened by others’ success.

What is a fixed vs. unfixed mindset?

A fixed mindset believes abilities and intelligence are static and unchangeable, whereas an unfixed (growth) mindset believes they can be developed through effort and learning.

Is a fixed mindset ever good?

A fixed mindset can provide a sense of certainty and stability, making it easier to focus on what you believe works for you and avoid the stress of constant self-improvement. However, it’s not a great mindset to have when it comes to growth.

Overall Conclusion

In conclusion, a fixed mindset is only harmful if it stops you from reaching your potential or it negatively impacts on your sense of self. If you have thoughts such as “I am not good enough” then that’s your worst enemy and it is holding you back from being successful in life because of such self-doubt. Therefore, the best thing for you to do is go out there and prove yourself wrong by changing your mindset into a growth one ASAP and boosting your strengths.

References:

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Diener, C.I. and Dweck, C.S., 1978. An analysis of learned helplessness: Continuous changes in performance, strategy, and achievement cognitions following failure. Journal of personality and social psychology, 36(5), p.451. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-13073-001.
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Limeri, L.B., Carter, N.T., Choe, J. et al. Growing a growth mindset: characterizing how and why undergraduate students’ mindsets change. IJ STEM Ed 7, 35 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00227-2.
Lou NM, Chaffee KE, Noels KA. GROWTH, FIXED, AND MIXED MINDSETS: MINDSET SYSTEM PROFILES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND THEIR ROLE IN ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT. Studies in Second Language Acquisition. 2022;44(3):607-632. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263121000401.