Anyone remember the 19th century adage, “Sticks and stones can
break your bones, but words can never hurt you?” I think we’ve
all had an experience that has proven this wrong. Words can and
do hurt and are unacceptable. But what if what we think the
words we’re using are helpful? What if they aren’t? Research
conducted by Carole Dweck from Stanford University makes the
case that people develop growth mindsets or fixed mindsets based
in part on the words they hear growing up. A fixed mindset
believes intelligence is something you have, and can’t be
changed much. A growth mindset believes that no matter what kind
of person you are, you can always change. Success then is not
about proving you’re smart or talented, it’s about stretching
yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself. Failure
then, becomes a learning experience and not something that
confirms your intelligence. Dweck believes mindsets are a
choice; they are beliefs that are shaped by the words we hear
from others and internalize to ourselves