Growth Mindset - Seeing Another Perspective
August 21, 2020
Y’all...a thing happened today that shifted my thinking about the word “yet.” You see, I’m a believer in Carol Dweck’s work on mindset. You know, a fixed mindset is one where someone believes qualities and talents are un-change-able. A growth mindset is one where someone believes qualities and talents can be fostered, nurtured, and grow. And I’ve just always added to word “yet” to any fixed mindset statements I make to shift my mindset to growth . For example: “I can’t do a headstand...yet!” See what happened there?? Fixed to growth with one simple word! I have banked on “yet” more times than I care to admit. And it has been magical. Until today.
You see, today, I went for my biennial eye exam. The ophthalmologist, who was new to me, introduced herself, then immediately said, “Are you having difficulty reading things up close YET???” Me: “Uhhhh. What do you mean?” (Clearly she knows something about me that I do not yet know or comprehend). Her: “You know, is it difficult to read things close up YET?” Me: “I notice you are using the word yet. This appears to imply that if I am not already having difficulty reading up close, that it is for-certain that I will in the future???” Her: “Well, at your age...”. End scene. I have no idea what she said next. Blah blah blah. She lost me at “at your age...”. Are you serious???
Then, I’m sitting with the optometrist who is explaining my options for ordering new contacts. He tells me I have two choices. One is getting contacts using my current prescription. The other is getting contacts using my former prescription. As I inquired about why I would consider my old prescription, he began with, “Well, are you having difficulty seeing things up close YET???” What the what?!?!?
You guys, this is a whole new stage apparently! Is it really all downhill from here as is implied from these statements??? I’ve got to tell you, I am so grateful to be “at this age!!” I love being 41 and wouldn’t change it for anything!!
So, dear Carol Dweck, perhaps this could be clarified in your next edition. “Yet” is a tricky little thing. It pulls you in thinking it’s so mature and smart and cutting edge. And then it sneaks up and tries to make you feel less than...not this time, yet. Not this time!