Growth Mindset: Week 6

This week, I learned more about the growth mindset, specifically, eradicating mental habits that hamper success. I read the article entitled "6 Bad Mental Habits that Sabotage Your Success" by Amy Morin. While there were six different habits that we do that all inhibit success to some degree, one in particular stood out: Making Excuses.

First, on making excuses. In a psychology class I took in high school, we learned about something called the fundamental attribution error. This is essentially where we attribute our successes to our innate skill, our failures to the conditions around us, the success of others to the conditions around them, and the failures of others to their innate skill. It is interesting that this habit is seen so negatively by some that it is one of the main six that will inhibit success. I once saw an interesting comment by someone, that we all have lived long lives, had interesting experiences and successes, different relationships, educations, backstories, and any other myriad of descriptors, but in about five seconds we decide "that person's a jerk" solely based on a short parking lot interaction.

In order to succeed, we often have to take steps back, and I think that one key learning of this article is that the step back we must take is recognizing that even when others succeed and we do not, that is not a reason or knock against us. We can't make excuses, but instead, should recognize credit where credit is due. It's an interesting idea, but one that is worth exploring further.

The quickest path to success involves no excuses. Source: Pixabay

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