Defining Mindsets

“We can embrace mindsets as habits that our minds depend on—formed by previous experiences and the unconscious and conscious beliefs that we form along the way.”

Ana Melikian

I believe that leveraging our mindsets can allow us to release our potential as individuals, groups, and organizations. But before we can tap into it, we need to understand what a mindset is.

The challenge lies in that there are as many definitions of mindset as there are mindset experts. So, when I was writing the introduction to the Mindset Zone book, I intentionally made a deep dive into the different meanings of mindset and organized them into three categories.

In this episode, I define mindsets using three different approaches. I outline positive psychology’s description of mindset as a set of beliefs. I discuss how cognitive psychology sees mindsets as information-processing styles used to accomplish specific tasks. I describe organizational psychology’s view that mindsets are filters that inform our worldviews.

I also share my own definition of mindset and underscore the Mindset Zone’s mission to help tap and release humanity’s potential.

This week on The Mindset Zone:

* Identifying the three approaches to defining mindset

* Mindsets and the human potential for learning and change

* The “fixed” mindset and my self-perception about singing

* The “growth” mindset and how dyslexia became my superpower

* Cognitive psychology’s definition of mindset

* How setting and implementing goals require different kinds of mindsets to be successful

* The difference between “deliberative” and “implemental” mindsets

* The value of knowing when to remain unfocused and focused

* Tapping and releasing our human potential through self-development work and positive psychology

* Understanding our nature as connecting beings

* The different ways to unleash and amplify our potential as human beings

* My definition of mindsets

* Challenging our beliefs and expanding what’s possible

* How learning about habit transformation can shift our mindset and lives

* What it takes to evolve in a constantly and rapidly changing world

* The mission of the Mindset Zone podcast

Resources Mentioned:

* Book: Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation by Gabriele Oettingen

* Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck