““Mindsets are habits of mind.””

– Ana Melikian

There is more than one way to view mindsets. We have multiple lanes of study to follow in the realm of mindsets, mental blindspots, what it means to reach our full potential, and more.

Today, I want to walk through three of the main approaches used for discussing mindset, and how they differ.

I discuss:

• Mindsets as beliefs (the growth and fixed mindset)
• Mindsets as processing styles (using different styles for certain situations)
• Mindsets as cognitive filters (frames of reference)

Mindsets as beliefs (the growth and fixed mindset)

We all have beliefs about ourselves—I can’t do X, I’ll never be good at Y, there’s no way I’ll be able to Z, and so on—that hold us back from exploring new avenues and ideas.

Consider an ability you don’t think you’re particularly good at. For me, it’s singing. It’s difficult for me to believe that I could ever be good enough to perform in front of an audience. In essence, I have a fixed mindset around my singing.

That thing you’re thinking of right now is a fixed mindset. That’s an easy way to identify them—looking at how we limit ourselves.

On the other hand, there is the growth mindset.

The growth mindset relates to when we step out of our comfort zone and are open to exploring new ways of thinking, overcoming challenges, and generally pushing the perceived boundaries of our abilities.

For me, I practiced a growth mindset when discovering I had dyslexia and, instead of giving in to my situation, found different ways to get the results I wanted. My determination to do well in school led me to overcome the trials of learning differently, and now I see my dyslexia as a superpower.

I developed grit, and that has served me well throughout my life. I’ve learned that dyslexia isn’t only a learning disability, but a different way of processing information that can lend an advantage.

In my case, it helps me excel at pattern detection and problem-solving.

That’s the difference between the fixed and growth mindsets—one limits, and the other expands. It’s all about which mindset you lean into in any given situation.

Mindsets as processing styles (using different styles for certain situations)

Many cognitive psychologists see mindsets as information processing sets we use in response to performing tasks. For instance—in this line of thinking—choosing goals requires a different mindset than implementing them.

When we decide what we want to do, we need to be more open to different possibilities. Once the goals are clear and we focus on accomplishing them—deciding where, when, and how to act—we have a different mindset to be successful.

Long before I read about this particular approach, I had a hunch there was something to be said about the merits of being open and unfocused, no matter how much glory we give to being focused.

In this thinking, both mindsets have a place in the process. Letting ourselves be creative, letting our minds wander, and allowing for “free time” mentally can be the answer where focused work falls short.

Being laser-focused can be the right choice when studying, or for an intensive task, it is not always the answer when trying to ideate and create.

Understanding what processing style works best for us in different circumstances can reduce a lot of headaches and wasted time.

Mindsets as cognitive filters (frames of reference)

The third and final definition we’re touching on today is one popular in organizations, and that is the approach that mindsets have predispositions and operate as cognitive filters.

In this case, mindsets work as a frame of reference, a type of mental shortcut.

For instance, the mindset a global executive needs to develop when leading multinational teams—must be one that can sustain a global business orientation while adapting to the local environments and cultures.

It’s critical to have that filter, a framework to reference, that allows them to deal with the different levels of a big corporation and adapt as needed.

By making these connections and forming these frames of reference, we’re more able to reach the mindset we need for any given situation.

These three different approaches to discuss mindset allows us to expand what's possible—for me, it's all about expanding possibilities.

What mindset definition resonates with you the most?

Be sure to check out my full episode for further insights on mindset definitions!

NOTE: Want to explore this further? Read French II, R. P. (2016). The fuzziness of mindsets. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 24, 673-691.