27A - Reading Reflection No. 3

What was the general theme or argument of the book?

 In Mindset – The new psychology of success, Carol Dweck speaks mainly about the two different mindsets and how your approach to these mindsets, affects how you live your daily life. The fixed mindset is the mindset that everything is static, while the growth mindset is dedicated to using failure as a learning experience.

How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT3003?

I think this book was extremely relevant to this week’s lesson on failure. The book put a very positive spin on failure and those who are in the “growth mindset” choose to use failure as a learning experience, rather than a setback.

If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

 In this exercise, students would be given a list of difficult situations. Then they will be told to consider each situation in either the fixed mindset, or the growth mindset. I think that this would help students understand why maintaining positive thinking is so important. I also think that it will help them improve tricky situations in their daily life.

 What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My biggest aha moment in the book was realizing that failure is essential. Failure always has a negative connotation both in school and in the work place, however, if one is using the growth mindset, failure is just another step in the improvement process.