Shaping Mindsets for Success

The Young Media team takes on various roles across different projects. Everyone is encouraged to explore new challenges regularly while ensuring that our work maintains the highest quality standards. How do we achieve that when we are trying something for the first time?Is it just about innate ability, or is there something more?

What if they told you talent is not a gift you are born with, but something you can grow and improve through effort and perseverance. In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck found that there are two predominant mindsets among people. Individuals with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence and talent are traits they are born with. They think that there is no possibility of improving their existing skills and abilities, so their main goal is to avoid situations where their skills are inadequate. On the other hand, the growth mindset is the belief that people can grow and change. They will recognize when their current skillset is inadequate and, instead of seeking to avoid the challenge, they look for ways to enhance their abilities to tackle new tasks.

To cultivate your growth mindset first, you need to understand that the growth mindset exists and that it’s possible for the brain to change. Our brains are very malleable and can constantly change as we learn. Furthermore, you should focus on the process and efforts rather than the results. Create a process for things you struggle with and set a goal, at the end, depending on your achievement you can alter or refine your process to produce your desired outcomes. Finally, step out of your comfort zone, and do challenging things, you will soon find out that what we usually call talent is, oftentimes, simply hard work.

Similarly, David Emerald in his book, The Power of TED, discusses the creator and victim mindsets. Individuals with a victim mindset believe that external forces shape their lives and that circumstances are more powerful than they are. They tend to focus on their weaknesses, blame others, and make excuses for their failures, which ultimately hampers their ability to achieve their goals. On the other hand, the creator mindset is rooted in the belief that individuals can influence their circumstances through their choices. Those with a creator mindset focus on improvement, take responsibility, actively seek solutions to their challenges, and often achieve their goals.

To enhance your creator mindset, begin by understanding your circle of influence, which consists of four categories. The first is the zero control circle, where you have no control at all, such as the weather or spilled milk. Next is the circle of minimal influence, which has a limited impact on its own but can contribute to a larger effect when combined with others, like recycling or voting. The third is the circle of direct influence, where you can’t control certain things but can significantly impact them through your choices, such as your health or income. Finally, there is the control circle, which represents yourself. You have absolute control over your focus, self-talk, and actions. To shift away from a victim mindset and promote a creator mindset, stop worrying about things you cannot control. Instead, concentrate on your actions and choices and how they will influence your outcomes.

The Young Media team wears many hats, with everyone encouraged to step outside their comfort zones. No one’s mindset is set, we don’t have one or the other, we use both depending on the situation we encounter. By focusing on effort, creating processes for improvement, and taking responsibility for our choices, we can foster resilience and adaptability. Shifting our perspectives in this way enables us to reach our goals and maintain high standards in our work, encouraging continuous exploration and growth within the Young Media team.