Revealing 8 Mindset Types People Have and Reasons Why
There are different mindset types that people can have, and the reasons why are based on nature and nurture.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
Your mindset is wildly important because mindset is a set of attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions that shape behaviour and ultimately influence the way you approach different situations in life. There are different mindset types that people can have, and the reasons why are based on nature and nurture.
“The mind is just like a muscle - the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” ~ Idowu Koyenikan
Revealing 8 Mindset Types People Can Have
There are 8 mindset types that people can have, with one type having an opposing one.
Growth Mindset
The growth mindset belief is that skills and knowledge can be developed and improved over time through effort, learning, and perseverance. A growth mindset attitude accepts challenges and fears failure less because it is an opportunity to learn and grow. People with a growth mindset embrace the belief that their potential is not fixed and can always grow.
Read: Understanding and Cultivating a Growth Mindset to Empower You
Fixed Mindset
The fixed mindset belief is that knowledge and skills are fixed and unchangeable, so there is no inherent ability to succeed if you are not born talented or in a good situation. A fixed mindset attitude avoids challenges (and so failure) because their abilities cannot be developed and improved. People with a fixed mindset usually do not try to better themselves and often feel threatened by others' successes.
Read: Breaking Free from a Fixed Mindset to Unlock Potential
Abundance Mindset
The abundance mindset belief is that there are enough resources, opportunities, and success to go around. An abundance mindset attitude sees the world as full of opportunities and possibilities. People with an abundance mindset usually focus on collaboration, learning from others, and seeing possibilities rather than limitations. They believe success is not limited to a select few.
Read: How to Cultivate an Abundance Mindset for a Fulfilling Life
Scarcity Mindset
The scarcity mindset belief is that resources, opportunities, and success are limited to a select few. A scarcity mindset attitude sees the world as a competition where there are winners and losers, and no room for everyone at the table. Therefore, people with a scarcity mindset could be hesitant to share knowledge or collaborate, fearing it will diminish their own chances of success.
Read: Reasons to Break Free from A Scarcity Mindset Today
Optimistic Mindset
The optimistic mindset belief is that things will usually work out well. An optimistic mindset attitude focuses on the good in life and looks for opportunities to create more positivity. People with an optimistic mindset are more hopeful during challenging times and view challenges as temporary setbacks. They believe that their thoughts and actions can positively effect their outcomes.
Pessimistic Mindset
The pessimistic mindset belief is that negative outcomes are always waiting. A pessimistic mindset attitude focuses on the negatives of life and dwells on problems. People with a pessimistic mindset characteristically find it hard to see opportunities during challenging times. They may be more prone to feelings of hopelessness, battling to find joy and satisfaction in their lives.
Open Mindset
The open mindset belief is that new ideas, perspectives, and experiences are always possible. An open mindset attitude supports curiosity in different ways of thinking, living, cultures, and values. People with an open mindset are normally willing to challenge their own beliefs, deliberate on alternative viewpoints, and adapt to change.
Read: Choosing an Open Mindset for More Personal Growth
Closed Mindset
The closed mindset belief is that change is uncomfortable and unnecessary, and personal established values, beliefs and actions are good enough to hold. A closed mindset attitude wants everything to stay the same. People with a closed mindset might be hesitant to explore new ideas or consider viewpoints that differ from their own.
Read: This is a Closed Mindset and How to be More Open-Minded
Regardless of your current mindset, there is always the possibility to change your mindset with intentional effort, learning, and experiencing more things. Actively working to shift your mindset can lead to personal growth, personal success, and enhanced well-being.
Reasons Why People Have the Mindset They Do
Your mindset can be influenced by a combination of nature (genetic predisposition) and nurture (environmental factors, experiences, and influences).
Nature
It is believed that a person’s genetic predisposition effects mindset traits like resilience, adaptability, openness to new experiences. Some people may have an aptitude for learning and seem to have a naturally optimistic outlook on life, and some people lean more towards fixed and pessimistic outlooks who give up quickly.
Nurture
Environmental factors and life experiences are other important pieces in shaping a person's mindset.
Family Environment: Family upbringing and the attitudes of parents and caregivers can have a profound effect on the mindset nurtured. Children who are encouraged to take on challenges, learn from mistakes, and value effort are more likely to develop a growth mindset. Therefore, a supportive family environment tends to develop more positive mindsets (abundance, optimistic, open).
Education: The educational environment can greatly influence a developing mindset. This includes the teacher, teaching methods and classroom culture. Educators who emphasise the importance of learning over grades, make learning accessible, and encourage all students (not only top students) on their learning journey foster a growth mindset. A good education develops critical thinking skills, strengthens problem-solving abilities, and promotes an open-minded attitude towards life. Books and articles can also influence mindset and willingness to change.
Peer Influence: Peer groups play a role because the people surrounding a person are very influential. Being surrounded by friends or colleagues who have a growth mindset inspires the person to adopt similar beliefs and behaviours. It is essential to surround oneself with positive influences and take advantage of opportunities for personal growth and development to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset.
Cultural and Societal Values: Cultural and societal values can heavily impact a person’s thought patterns and life outlooks, which informs their actions and behaviours. In a culture that values hard work and perseverance, a mindset that emphasises those traits is more likely to develop. A society that highlights the negative aspects of life will develop a mindset with a negative bias.
Media and Role Models: The media consumed, and the people looked up to, can greatly affect the thoughts and feelings about oneself and the world. Mentors can help broaden perspectives and spark a change in mindset. Positively based content will lead to more positive mindsets. Learning about individuals who have overcome obstacles through resilience and learning can inspire growth and open mindsets.
Life Experiences: Personal experiences (success and failure, travels, hopes and fears) also shape thoughts and feelings about oneself and the world. Overcoming hardship and experiencing personal growth support a growth mindset. Being empathetic and actively listening to others opens the heart and mind to different thoughts and experiences, allowing for learning from others' life experiences – supporting an open mindset.
In general, there are 8 different mindset types that people can have, and the reasons why someone has their mindset can be based on nature and nurture. The most important takeaway from this post is that mindset shift is possible and probable when you intentionally work on your thoughts and words, explore your beliefs and values, invest in yourself, and have meaningful social interactions.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to the world. Written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life, this blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards
Jordan
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Resources for mind, body, and soul growth ♥
This Book of Affirmations is designed for those who wish to use affirmations but lack the time to find them. This collection provides a variety of affirmations aimed to reshape your thinking on various life themes, foster gratitude, and help establish a mindset that aligns with your desired life.