Growth mindset – RunningWell

Hi Everyone!

As far as I know only one person raced this past weekend –Shauna C and her daughter Tegan raced the Day of the Dead 9K! (and I only found out bc of a random conversation – you guys need to tell me when you race so we can all celebrate you!!!) Racing is hard and we all want to feel part of each others efforts. Way to go!

Recently I’ve been revisiting Carol Dwek’s work on Mindset. I know we circulated this book and have talked about it before. I think this is one that is important to keep revisiting, because it is so easy to keep slipping into a fixed mindset even when we started with a growth mindset. In fact, most of us start things with a growth mindset. This is what is sometimes called “the beginner’s mind”. It is the belief that we have potential and abilities which are as yet unknown but to be discovered through challenge and exploration. And the discovering and uncovering of potential is enjoyable work, with failures along the way being just signals of learning. However, what happens to many of us is that we fall into a “fixed mindset”. This is the belief that our characteristics and abilities are innate and predetermined. We are who we are. With this mindset we feel compelled to prove ourselves over and over, and every challenge becomes a potentially fearful event where we might not live up to what we believe are our fixed qualities.

We take these beliefs to all areas of our lives: work,school, sports, and even relationships. In all of these areas, having a fixed mindset pushes us away from challenge and growth, and towards seeking out safe scenarios where we can reinforce our beliefs about ourselves. I think I’m in the majority of people for sometimes slipping back and forth between these two mindsets, and having to remind myself to remain in a growth mode. Success, particularly early or quick success, can nudge us towards a fixed mindset. I am “fast” or “talented”or “should be able to run … X”. This is not to be confused with confidence. Confidence is a feeling that you are in control. It is looking forward to the experience and believing you can handle the challenge instead of trying to prove what you think you know about yourself.I’ve noticed that the races for which I’m the most nervous are the ones where I’m feeling insecure and feel I need to prove my version of myself as a runner. To whom I’m not sure, but that’s the feeling. Whereas other times I can show up with an open mind, ready for effort, and excited to see how I can challenge myself and what I can learn on the day. Failure is an option, and it doesn’t change how I view myself. It means maybe I tried something that didn’t work,and becomes information for the next time. This is the mindset that keeps us coming back, keeps us engaged and most importantly, keeps us happy.

Two classic sporting examples of fixed and growth mindset are John Mcenroe and Michael Jordan. Mcenroe exemplified the fixed mindset. He believed he was innately talented and expected himself to win. He famously hated playing though. Games were only opportunities for his belief about himself to be disproven, and so they were emotionally fraught and he could not handle orl earn from mistakes. He also did not want to look like he was working hard for his success. His identity hinged on the fact that he was a “natural” and any setback was a big threat to his identity. Michael Jordan was an exemplar of the growth mindset. He truly believed that he was only good because of practice and a willingness to fail. He loved playing the game. Every game was an opportunity to take risks and learn something new.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”– Michael Jordan

“I can’t speak for other people, but I still hate losing. When I did lose, I found it easier to yell than to cry. Guys aren’t supposed to cry, are they?” – John McEnroe

On to tomorrow’s workout! Lakeshore and Leslie – 6:05 Drills, 6:15 GO!

1. NYC Marathoners!!! Taper time!!! 1 mile @ race pace, 2-3 min rest. 2 x 400 a lil quicker (w 60-90 seconds)

2. Hamilton Half Marathoners: as above, but finish with 5 x 400

3. Everyone else: Do the taper workout with marathoners to support them. Then a little social “finisher” into the beach.4-5 x 2 min On w 1 min Off.

That is all – see you in the am!

Seanna