Limited mindset vs Adaptable mindset

I finished the first module of resilience and adaptability at McKinsey Forward Program. The most important insight is I lived through an exclusive traumatic life experience that forced me to become resilient and adaptable and through the life-learning process I made almost all the conclusions on my own that I studied in this module. I am very thankful to McKinsey that my chaotic experience now is structured and framed with business words and categories. So, I studied adaptability and resilience through challenging practice and not through theory, but now I know how to write and title everything correctly.

As for the last years I turned into a reflective and honest person (because true honesty comes firstly with honesty with yourself) I would like to share my reflections after the module concerning types of mindsets: the limited mindsets (they will be in the left) and the adaptable/resilient mindsets (they will be in the right). So being honest with myself and having a desire to share with you, only 5 years ago I had a limited mindset even not understanding this fact, after living in complete uncertainty and facing huge challenges, I changed my mindset and am still in the process. And today reflecting on 2019 I am extremely happy and thankful for being a person I am now.

So, let's compare:

Fixed mindset --- Growth mindset

I used to be a person avoiding failures, feeling any criticism like a personal attack on me, and focusing on proving something to others. I turned to a person who believes that I am much more than I am, failures are great teachers, criticism is a blessing, focusing on the process and not proving something to somebody.

Expert mindset --- Curios mindset

I used to be a judging person in the room who knew everything and knew better than others, not accepting that I could not know something, running away from the unknown, driven by certainty and everything known. I turned to a person accepting that I do not know, open to new knowledge, being OK with feeling stupid if I do not know because after not knowing I will know, not anymore being afraid to ask questions, and being open to feedback both positive and negative, and even more seeing in negative feedbacks and rejections the point of my growth.

Reactive mindset --- Creative mindset

I used to react based on my emotions and fears, I was trying to avoid threats and criticism, and I lived in old patterns. I turned to respond and not react, to pause between information and response, I am not avoiding problems, I am learning how to face them with dignity and turn them either for new opportunities or my new point of growth; driven not by fear but by purpose and possibility.

Victim mindset --- Agent mindset

I used to be a victim and victimize everything, it meant that I would always find who or what was guilty in my situations; I was focusing on what was unfair and who was wrong. I turned to a person who has power, who is responsible for my own life and does not matter what happened, who makes conscious choices and tries not to blame situations, challenges, and other people.

Scarcity mindset --- Abundance mindset

I used to believe that I did not have the resources, time, money, etc to do/change/achieve something. I turned to a person believing that this world is abundant and I am too even if I do not have the finances to achieve something, I will find another way to fulfill what I need or have an inner desire.

Certainty mindset --- Exploration mindset

I used to be obsessed with certainty, and if something did not go according to my plan I was frustrated, exhausted, nervous, and stressed. I turned to a person accepting uncertainty and believing that there will be something important for me at that point of unknown, and I will explore new horizons - that's cool! And if something goes not according to my plane, let's create the new plan in the flow of uncertainty.

Protection mindset --- Opportunity mindset

I used to overthink, hesitate, and avoid disruption. I turned out to be a curious child pursuing gain and being open.

This small flashback and self-reflection showed me the huge path I have already overcome and the big result I received. This for me is a true success.

Believe me that was a challenging journey during last five years and still continues, such changes do not occur during one night.

With Love,

Yuliia Berhe