Introduction
Welcome to my personal journey of transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset during my postgraduate training as a pharmacy resident. As a recent graduate from pharmacy school, I realized the importance of developing a growth mindset to excel in my professional career. In this article, I share the experiences, insights, and strategies that have helped me shift my mindset and embrace a growth-oriented approach. Join me as we explore the significance of mindset in the pharmacy profession and discover practical steps to foster personal and professional growth.
Understanding the Fixed Mindset
The Impact of Mindsets on Learning
Mindsets, as described by researcher Carol Dweck, are the beliefs and attitudes that shape our actions, behaviors, and thoughts.1 In the context of learning and personal development, two mindsets stand out: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. On the one hand, individuals with a fixed mindset believe their abilities and talents are fixed traits that cannot be changed or improved on. They tend to avoid challenges, give up easily, and view failures as reflections of their inherent limitations. On the other hand, individuals with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through effort, perseverance, and learning from setbacks. They embrace challenges, persist despite obstacles, and see failures as opportunities for growth.
Characteristics of the Fixed Mindset
In the realm of education and professional development, a fixed mindset can have detrimental effects. Students or professionals with a fixed mindset may resist challenges, shy away from feedback, and be threatened by the success of others.2 They may believe their abilities are fixed and therefore feel limited in their potential for growth and improvement. Instead of embracing new knowledge and skills, they may cling to the status quo and avoid stepping out of their comfort zones. This mindset can hinder personal and professional growth, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities.
Recognizing Fixed Mindset Patterns
Developing self-awareness is crucial in recognizing fixed mindset patterns within ourselves. As a pharmacy resident, I initially noticed these patterns in my own thinking and behavior. I would feel discouraged by setbacks, avoid taking on new responsibilities, and compare myself with others, thereby feeling inadequate. These patterns hindered my growth and ability to fully embrace the challenges and learning opportunities available in my postgraduate training.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
Power of a Growth Mindset
Realizing the limitations of a fixed mindset, I made a conscious decision to transition to a growth mindset. A growth mindset opens doors to new possibilities, fosters resilience, and promotes a love for learning. With a growth mindset, we believe our abilities can be developed through effort and persistence.3 We see challenges as opportunities for growth and view failures as stepping stones toward success. By embracing a growth mindset, we can unlock our full potential and thrive in our professional endeavors.4
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is not an overnight process. It requires dedication, self-reflection, and intentional effort. Here are strategies that have helped me cultivate a growth mindset during my postgraduate training1-5:
- Embrace challenges and emphasize effort.
Instead of shying away from challenges, I learned to embrace them as opportunities for growth. I actively sought out challenging rotations and projects, knowing they would stretch my abilities and allow me to develop new skills. I shifted my focus from solely seeking success to valuing the effort and progress I made along the way. Celebrating small wins and acknowledging the effort put into my work fueled my motivation and encouraged me to keep pushing forward.
- Embrace a growth mindset in learning from feedback.
Feedback is a valuable tool for growth and improvement. In the past, I might have taken feedback personally and felt discouraged by criticism. However, with a growth mindset, I learned to view feedback as an opportunity for learning and development. I actively sought feedback from preceptors, colleagues, and patients, recognizing that their insights could help me refine my skills and enhance my practice. By embracing a growth mindset in receiving feedback, I was able to make significant strides in my professional growth.
- Shift perspective on failure.
Failure is an inevitable part of any learning process. Instead of viewing failure as a reflection of my abilities, I reframed it as a stepping stone toward improvement. I learned to analyze failures objectively, seeking to understand what went wrong and how I could learn from the experience. I recognized that setbacks and mistakes were essential for growth and that resilience and perseverance were key in bouncing back stronger.
- Embrace a collaborative and supportive environment.
Surrounding myself with individuals who fostered a growth mindset was instrumental in my own mindset shift. I sought out mentors and colleagues who believed in my potential and encouraged me to embrace challenges. Engaging in collaborative projects and discussions allowed me to learn from others and gain new perspectives. Building a supportive network of like-minded individuals created an environment that nurtured my growth mindset.
Conclusion
Transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset during my postgraduate training as a pharmacy resident has been transformative. Embracing challenges, valuing effort, learning from feedback, reframing failure, and cultivating a supportive environment have all contributed to my personal and professional growth. As a current pharmacy resident, I encourage my fellow residents and aspiring pharmacists to reflect on their mindset and actively work toward developing a growth-oriented approach. By embracing a growth mindset, we can unlock our full potential, overcome obstacles, and thrive in our pharmacy careers. Let us embark on this journey of growth together, realizing that our mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping our success.
References
1. Dweck CS. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Ballantine Books, 2006.
2. Johnson KM, Slavin SJ, Takahashi TA. Excellent vs excessive: helping trainees balance performance and perfectionism. J Grad Med Educ 2023;15:424-7.
3. Cooley JH, Larson S. Promoting a growth mindset in pharmacy educators and students. Curr Pharm Teach Learn 2018;10:675-9.
4. Hill C, Corbett C, St. Rose A. American Association of University Women. Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. February 2010. Available at https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED509653.
5. Williams CA. Mindsets may matter in nursing education. Nurs Educ Perspect 2018;39:373-4.
About the Author: Maiya Sanderson is a PGY1 pharmacy resident at OSF St. Francis Medical Center/Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois, and a recent graduate of the school of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.