The difference between a fixed and frozen mindset
In this week’s newsletter, we will examine how a lot of what gets labelled as a “fixed mindset” 🧱 in the world today, can more precisely be described as a “frozen mindset” ❄️ that is burdened with the pain and stress of a trauma.
The TLDR of this insight is that there are two basic ways a mindset can lose its inherent malleability. One way is by becoming fixed, which is associated with an attachment. The second way is by becoming frozen, which is associated with a trauma.
This insight matters because, if it happens that a person’s mindset has become frozen, the move isn't to encourage a shift towards a growth mindset as is common practice in many parts of the world today. That’s because, this person’s mindset is very scared and is experiencing post-traumatic stress, and pushing it to grow typically triggers a hypo or hyper-active reaction. A more appropriate intervention is to create conditions for trauma healing, so that the frozen mindset can unfreeze and heal, and open up to the possibility of post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic transformation. 🌱 🦋
You can access a short guide on fixed and frozen mindsets here >
Have you encountered a mindset before that looked fixed but was actually frozen?
How was this frozen mindset different from a fixed mindset?
How can you put this insight into action in your life and work?
Leave a comment below or join the conversation on LinkedIn.