Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Caroline S. Dweck
This book was recommended by Starting Strength Staff member and UC Sacramento strength coach Jared Nessland at the Starting Strength Seminar held at Team CrossFit Academy in Monrovia, CA this month.
Summary: Dweck describes two mindsets – fixed and growth – and provides many examples of each. The Fixed mindset is based on judgement of performance right now that is seen as intrinsic to the individual. “Smart”, “athletic”, “talented”, “successful” on the good end, but “stupid”, “awkward”, “retarded”, “failure” on the other. She describes how a fixed mindset limits and even paralyzes whether the label is of the former or latter group. In contrast, the Growth mindset is centered on action, learning, and improvement. Performance is judged for assessment, but the focus is on the process rather than the current state.
Evaluation:
+ The book provides a useful perspective and good explanations for each mindset. You’ll be able to recognize areas you tend toward one mindset or the other and you’ll easily identify these in other people.
– There is a lot of repetition. A lot. An extreme lot. This is good, if you like lots of examples, but something to quickly skim through if you’re already satisfied and ready to move on.
– A more significant defect is that the book does not offer a substantial approach to altering your mindset/others mindsets. You’re left to work this out on your own.