Growth mindset

Basically speaking, a growth mindset is a state of mind in which the individual believes that knowledge is not inborn and static - thus, they can, and are willing to, improve their knowledge, skills, and works through many methods (such as criticism, feedback, failing, etc.). That, versus a static mindset, in which the individual believes that knowledge (or skills, or whatever) is inborn and just comes naturally to some. This person, if he/she believes oneself special, could be entrapped and "brittle in the face of adversity" (Dweck). This individual may fall prey to the logical fallacy of the following quote: "When we win, then we're winners; thus, when we lose, we're losers." This is clearly a poor mindset to employ, as it would make "one and done" (with regard to anything, really, since we all improve vastly over a number of areas of skill) a motto of an entire generation. 

A growth mindset, then, values a number of qualities: 
 - it doesn't assume that one is chained to his / her current capabilities - it leaves room for and desires growth and improvement.
 - it acknowledges that setbacks are KEY to changing our own abilities.
 - it "worries" about trying and effort vs. how it will be judged.
 - it promotes "coping with failure" through such simple statements / perspectives: "It looks like you tried really hard" is more valuable than "Good job - you're smart," as it doesn't imply the success was a result of an inborn characteristic. 

Thus, a growth mindset can theoretically be promoted (or attained!) through this simple process: 
1. Acknowledging that the growth mindset is both scientific and beneficial. 
2. One emphasis the desire to learn to develop one's abilities.
3. Listen for the "fixed" or "static" voice in oneself, and respond in the "growth" voice: "I can't do it...yet." 

I believe that the growth mindset is a valuable perspective to help students and athletes attain, as it is absolutely essential in the teaching of writing, where sensitivity to both peer review (which I'm working on!) and teacher review is needed for virtually all students, but also equally feared. I've seen this quite often in my teaching of said skill. It is also readily applicable to any athlete in high school, as there is almost always someone who is ranked higher, taller, faster, or more highly-lauded than someone else. However, it is great for breeding the "underdog mentality," which I think is the most satisfying position in which to find oneself in the athletic world - it makes victories sweet, satisfying, and defiant! Thus, it helps to validate that losses can and should be used purely as motivation to improve and make one stronger.