Friday Thoughts on Growth Session One
Why the mindset matters
Mindset matters… a lot.
The definition of mindset is
‘The established set of attitudes held by someone’
with attitude between a settled way of thinking and/or feeling.
For the next couple of months we are looking at all things growth and encouraging a neuroscientific perspective of
People with a growth mindset believe that intelligence, personality, and abilities can be developed, whereas people with fixed mindsets believe that basic qualities, such as intelligence, are static and unalterable.
Having a growth mindset is invariably connected with plasticity within the brain.
The brain is extremely plastic and although there are certain times in our life (predominantly when children and adolescents) where the ability to grow is at its most optimal, there is the ability to grow and change throughout the whole of our life.
Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganise and adapt in terms of both structure and function.
Let’s explore some of the brain’s ability to be plastic -
Definition and Mechanisms:
Neuroplasticity occurs due to learning, experience, and memory formation, as well as in response to brain damage.
It involves neurons creating new connections and pathways in reaction to changes in behaviour, environment, or injury.
When brain damage occurs, unaffected neurons can adapt and compensate by reorganising and forming new connections, aiding in the recovery of lost functions.
Synaptic Pruning:
Learning and new experiences cause new neural pathways to strengthen.
Conversely, neural pathways used infrequently become weak and eventually die—a process known as synaptic pruning.
Protective Effects and Adaptation:
Neuroplasticity provides protective effects in managing traumas during human development.
Activities like learning music or second languages can increase neuroplasticity.
It allows the brain to cope better with the indirect effects of brain damage, such as inadequate blood supply following a stroke.
Brain Rewiring:
The brain possesses a remarkable ability to rewire itself.
Changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections to systematic adjustments like cortical remapping.
This rewiring occurs in all healthy people, especially children, after various issues like brain injuries.
Brain health is something that is HUGE for me as a neuroscientist. I strive to support everyone in cultivating the healthiest brains that lead to the best outcomes for all of us.
Look at the above picture. This depicts the results of an experiment conducted on students. In that experiment the participants read a scientific article describing either that intelligence was malleable and able to change (growth mindset condition) or fixed and immutable (fixed mindset condition), a manipulation that has proven to induce mindsets. The experiment gave evidence that students’ mindsets are associated with their academic achievement and, crucially, they can be influenced by appropriate interventions. Just by reading that intelligence is malleable students performed better. How amazing is that?
Brain plasticity, can also contribute to keeping you young and mentally sharp by the following:
Stimulating New Connections:
Brainy activities, such as learning new skills, solving puzzles, or engaging in creative endeavors, stimulate new connections between nerve cells.
These activities encourage the brain to generate new neurons, promoting neurological plasticity.
Think of it as mental exercise—just like physical workouts keep your body fit, brainy activities keep your mind agile.
Building a Functional Reserve:
Neuroplasticity helps build a functional reserve within your brain.
By creating new neural pathways, your brain develops a backup system that can compensate for any future cell loss or damage.
This reserve acts as a hedge against age-related cognitive decline.
Education and Literacy:
Education plays a crucial role in maintaining plasticity.
High literacy levels and continued learning keep your brain engaged and adaptable.
Lifelong learning, whether through formal education or self-directed exploration, supports neuroplasticity.
Engaging Work and Lifestyle:
Challenging work that requires problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking fosters brain plasticity.
An active, engaged lifestyle—filled with social interactions, hobbies, and novel experiences—keeps your brain flexible.
Explore new interests, travel, and stay curious!
In essence, embrace lifelong learning, stay mentally active, and nurture your brain with diverse experiences.
So this whole journey along the GROWTH mindset pathway will give you all you need and more besides to have the healthiest brain that does not age rapidly, instead being that best that it can be.
Looking forward to you joining me again for next week’s foray into GRIT.
“I’m competitive.
I see everything I do as a competition.
I thrive on it and get goosebumps thinking about the next competition.
I only compete against who I was yesterday.
I may look and sound the same, but my mindset isn't.
I'm loving this new me today, tomorrow I'll be better and different.”