Sunday Reflections: On Having a Growth Mindset

If you follow me on Twitter, you may already know that I have recently acquired a ukulele.

This marks a rather startling change in my life. Well, actually, attending a workshop titled Ukuleles in Storytime was probably when the change occurred. I’m not entirely sure why I signed up for that pre conference session, except that it sounded like it could be fun. You see, for most of my life I’ve had a very fixed mindset about playing an instrument. I can’t do it. I can sing, but I can’t read music or play an instrument. I’ve tried a couple of times, without much success. Of course, before now I lacked any motivation. There’s nothing like an adoring audience of 3 to 5 year olds to motivate you to learn new things. So I’ve decided I can do it. I can learn to play the ukulele, at least well enough to entertain my group of storytime regulars. I

The last few years I spent in the school library I heard a lot about having a growth mindset, and how important it is for children to have one. You can read more about it here. A fixed mindset – the belief that you can’t do something – limits your potential. It’s an easy trap to fall into. How many of us know someone who will willingly state “I can’t do math.”

But it’s not just a problem for children. It’s a problem for us, too. How many things, really worthwhile things, do you regularly avoid because you honestly believe you’re no good at them? And what will it take to motivate you to overcome that belief? I look forward to hearing your stories. Anyway…back to the Hokey Pokey.

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