Carol Dweck didn't create the word "mindset," but she's the person from whom I first learned about a continuum that describes the range of human responses to failure and challenge.
On one end of
the continuum is the "fixed mindset." If you have a fixed mindset, when you fail at something you may be sad or despairing because you believe that's the best you can do. You might even avoid new experiences for fear of failing again.
On the other end of the continuum is the "growth mindset." If you have a growth mindset, when you fail at something you see the failure as an indication that this is
an opportunity for you to learn something new. You might even seek out challenges because you see them as opportunities to stretch and grow.
Fixed mindsets want to look smart, so they avoid challenges and give up easily.
Growth mindsets want to learn, so they embrace challenges and persist even in the face of
setbacks.
