The definition of a fixed mindset is one built on limitations. One based on a fixed destiny. And one that I believe is wrong.
The basic definition of a fixed mindset goes something like this:
“Talent or intelligence alone create success without effort.”
As I said yesterday, this is the opposite of a growth mindset.
I don’t know if I’m smarter than anyone else. I don’t know if I’m more or less talented than the people I’m around.
What I do recognize is that I am not the smartest person on earth. Nor the most talented at anything I do.
Yet, I’ve found myself successful at almost everything I’ve done.
I won an AAU All-American Award in baseball at 14u, 16u, and 18u. In my junior year in high school, I hit .652. I was president of the student body my senior year. Then I attended college at Yale. It was actually the only school to really recruit me to play football. I’d hurt my elbow pretty bad my senior year in high school, so I decided to go for the best education.
The definition of a fixed mindset says that happened because I’m naturally talented at baseball. And that I’m just smarter than other people. But if that’s true, what happened to 15u and 17u? Why wasn’t I recognized as among the best in the baseball universe those years? And what innate talent led to me being elected president?
The truth is, up until that point, the years I worked hardest at baseball were 14u, 16u, and 18u (16u coincided with my junior year in high school). I put in the effort to run for student body president. I had to keep my grades up and worked hard enough at football to get the chance to go to Yale. Which, by the way, was the only Ivy League school that had seriously recruited me.
I didn’t know that was even an option for me until my high school football coach suggested me to one of their coaches/scouts.
After college, I worked at Bank of America. I started as an assistant vice president. Once, my boss came down to my cubicle to tell me that I’d done a good job, and give me some sort of spirit award.
After a few days, I went to his office and told him that I didn’t really need the pat on the back. I expected to do well, and if he had to point out when I did, then maybe I’d been failing to meet his expectations. I’d rather know when I wasn’t doing well. That’s how I know what to improve.
I finished my career there as Senior Vice President, Director of Research and Analytics for the Corporate Real Estate Division.
That’s when I started my own company. What is now the TEAL agency. Our clients did well into the 9-figures last year. We billed well over a million dollars.
Two years ago, I started the Regulators Baseball Club. We’ve grown to 7 teams and over 70 kids.
I don’t look in the mirror and think that I’m special. I don’t believe that I have any particular talent that you don’t have.
If you believe in the definition of a fixed mindset, then you believe that is all because of intelligence and talent. Genetics, if you will. But I have the same genetics as everyone in my family. And the degrees of success vary widely. We had a similar upbringing. Similar opportunities. What was the difference?
What I don’t have is a fixed mindset.
I think the definition of a fixed mindset is one that implies that people are limited in some way. You’re not limited. You have the ability to do great things. To be successful at whatever you want to do.
What is the difference then between growth and fixed mindsets? One sees opportunities everywhere. The other sees obstacles.
I want you to bring the HEAT every day. Find your passion and pursue it relentlessly. Get the right coach and/or consultant on your side.
It’s the only recipe for success I’ve ever needed. And it has worked 100% of the time for the people I’ve seen apply it.
I’m off to a cold, cold, cold soccer game. But I’m grateful to go to a field and not have to be serious. To relax and enjoy my kids just playing and having fun. They play soccer to run around and hang with their friends. While baseball is fun, they take it much more seriously than soccer.
I’m grateful for our garage. I didn’t have to walk outside to get to the car this morning. While it’s colder elsewhere, it’s way colder than I like it to be here. So that luxury is nice.
And, finally, I’m grateful for my first meditation. Here’s to getting number two tomorrow!
Until tonight…
