Striving for a Growth Mindset

In Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” she draws distinctions between two types of mindsets: fixed and growth. With a fixed mindset, we want to be great, receive recognition, be the best, and not try or work at it. With a growth mindset, we don’t feel the need for constant approval and praise, but rather value the progress that comes with hard work and overcoming challenges. With a growth mindset, failure is not the end of the world, but rather a momentary pause – a hiccup – natural.

While our mindset is part of our personality, it can be changed.

Are musicians more prone to possess a fixed or growth mindset? I’m not sure, and I’m not sure anyone knows that for sure. But I do know that as musicians, we encounter failure frequently. A chipped note, a missed entrance, an upset donor, an unsuccessful audition. Resilience is key to succeeding as a musician in the 21st century. Each day is a new chance to learn and grow. Striving for a growth mindset may be one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.