Here is one last post of 2020. It's an important one as you think about your goals for 2021.
One of my revelations over recent years is how important it is to understand the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. This year, it occurred to me that when it comes to friendships and relationships, I just don't connect to the fixed mindset. Whether we're talking religion, politics, health, or music... If you don't have a growth mindset, then we're practically on different planets. And if you want to succeed even a little on a musical instrument, you HAVE to have a growth mindset.
Okay, let me back up. What is a growth mindset compared to a fixed mindset?
Someone with a growth mindset is always looking for self-improvement. They are open to new and better ideas. They are open to criticism and, especially, self-criticism. This is not to say that accomplishments aren't fully celebrated along the way, but those are pit stops and not an ultimate destination. When it comes to non-musical things such as personality, world views, and just about anything else...there is an eagerness to explore new ideas, try new things, and understand that change is possible for anything or anyone.
Someone with a fixed mindset believes that they are the way they are, and it is what it is. Opinions are absolutely right or absolutely wrong. They don't try different foods. They don't try a new routine. Change is an ugly word. When it comes to music, it either comes easy or it's not worth it.
How the two types react to practice
Someone with a fixed mindset will either not practice, or not practice with any depth or struggle, or gravitate towards only playing favorites or what comes easily. The first sign of struggle with a piece will send the player into retreat. Either the practice session is over, or out comes the easy music. "It's hard!" is said as if it's a terminal diagnosis.
Someone with a growth mindset WANTS the challenge. If it's comfortable, it's not giving you growth. The first sign of struggle with a piece will cause the player to pause and rethink what's possible in a sitting, to calmly look at why something is hard and what can be done about it. "It's hard!" is said as if it's dessert. This is good! This is how I get better!
You're not stuck with being one or the other.
It's far more natural to have a fixed mindset than a growth mindset. But switching to a growth mindset changes everything about your life! To make the switch, all you have to do is get yourself to agree with this one statement: "I'm a long way from where I want to be, and that's okay." There's two parts to that statement, and both are important. "I'm a long way from where I want to be" is simply to say that you are NOT where you want to be now. So don't keep playing the easy music, and don't keep bringing out the favorite past pieces to avoid the challenge of your current music. "And that's okay" reminds you that it IS okay to struggle. It is okay to have a long way to go. Do you know what successful people do (in any field) when they reach their mountain top? They find another higher mountain. Think about it like this. You're climbing the stairs of a 200-story skyscraper. Each floor has a window with a view. You can celebrate each floor, but at some point you have to resist thinking, "This is good enough. I don't have to keep climbing those stairs." Keep climbing.
Couple the growth mindset with intrinsic motivation (as I discussed in the previous post) and you WILL succeed in 2021. It helps you focus on what matters, and that are your HABITS and your MENTAL DRIVE. It's not about how many pieces you learn, or even what pieces they are. The side effect is that by focusing on habits and mental drive, the results will be much better than they would be otherwise.
One last thing, and I promise you that you'll need this reminder at some point this year.
Growth mindset is forgiving. You'll forget to practice, or feel bad about how things are going. Remember the second part of the growth statement? It's okay. Breathe and regroup. You will get frustrated, but remind yourself...it's okay.
If you want to read more about the growth mindset, I cannot recommend any book more than Mindset by Carol Dweck, which has an updated edition coming out on January 1.
Are you ready to do great work in 2021?
No comments:
Post a Comment