We all see the world through our unique lenses, our frameworks of understanding. These frameworks are our mindsets, shaping how we make sense of the world and our place in it.
What is a mindset?
A mindset is a set of beliefs or ways of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook, and mental attitude. Our mindsets shape our everyday lives – from how we tackle challenges, perceive others, and even feel about ourselves. Mindsets are like mental software programs running in our minds that determine how we think. Mindsets are how we filter experiences through our thoughts. They predetermine how we interpret people, events, circumstances, and challenges. A mindset is how we see the world.
How many different types of mindsets are there?
People can have at least one or more of 30 identified mindsets in different areas of their life to one degree or another. Each mindset also has an inverse mindset that’s the opposite contrast of the other. No one is 100% any one mindset all the time, but people will lean heavily toward one polarity for how they see the world, filter their thoughts about their circumstances, and react to what happens to them. Everyone is a mixture of many mindsets, using different mental models to filter incoming information.
- Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset
- Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
- Negative Mindset vs. Positive Mindset
- Productive Mindset vs. Defensive Mindset
- Outcome Mindset vs. Process Mindset
- Externally Controlled Mindset vs. Internally Controlled Mindset
- Closed Mindset vs. Open Mindset
- Perfectionist Mindset vs. Excellence Mindset
- Consumer Mindset vs. Creator Mindset
- Individual Mindset vs. Collective Mindset
- Victim Mindset vs. Empowered Mindset
- Introversion Mindset vs. Extraversion Mindset
- Sensing Mindset vs. Intuition Mindset
- Thinking Mindset vs. Feeling Mindset
- Judging Mindset vs. Perceiving Mindset
Let’s look at each contrasting pair and how these mindsets see the world.
Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset
Let’s consider a person who views opportunities as limited. That’s a scarcity mindset. On the flip side, imagine someone who sees a world full of potential waiting to be discovered. They’re reflecting an abundance mindset. The polarity here revolves around the perception of resources and possibilities.
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Next, a person who believes they can’t learn more or become smarter has a fixed mindset. Compare them to someone who believes that they can improve with effort and practice – that’s a growth mindset. The difference lies in beliefs about personal development and potential.
Negative Mindset vs. Positive Mindset
You probably know someone who always seems to see the worst in any situation. That’s a negative mindset. Now, imagine someone else who always looks on the bright side. They’ve got a positive mindset. The contrast here lies in one’s perspective of situations, events, or circumstances.
Productive Mindset vs. Defensive Mindset
If a person consistently seeks improvement and achievement, they’ve got a productive mindset. Yet, someone else might be more concerned with guarding their status and avoiding failure; that’s a defensive mindset. The distinction hinges on how one approaches tasks and challenges.
Outcome Mindset vs. Process Mindset
Consider someone who’s all about results without regard for the process. They have an outcome mindset. On the other hand, someone might enjoy the journey and see value in the process – they have a process mindset. These mindsets diverge in how one views success and achievement.
Externally Controlled Mindset vs. Internally Controlled Mindset
Let’s think about someone who blames external circumstances for their misfortune. They have an externally controlled mindset. Conversely, someone else might believe in their power to shape their destiny, reflecting an internally controlled mindset. The core difference is where the control and responsibility of one place are.
Closed Mindset vs. Open Mindset
A person unwilling to consider different ideas or resistant to change has a closed mindset. Compare them with someone open to new experiences and ready to adapt; they’ve got an open mindset. The distinction lies in one’s openness to learning and change.
Perfectionist Mindset vs. Excellence Mindset
Imagine someone striving for flawlessness and setting high-performance standards. They’re showing a perfectionist mindset. In contrast, consider a person who seeks to do their best but understands that mistakes are part of learning – they embody an excellence mindset. The contrast is about one’s relationship with failure and success.
Consumer Mindset vs. Creator Mindset
Picture a person who passively accepts what life offers – that’s a consumer mindset. Now think of someone who shapes their path, always considering how they might improve things. They have a creator mindset. The polarity resides in one’s agency and creative power.
Individual Mindset vs. Collective Mindset
A person focusing on personal achievement and independence exhibits an individual mindset. Conversely, a person who values group success and community collaboration shows a collective mindset. The difference is in the focus on personal versus collective progress.
Victim Mindset vs. Empowered Mindset
If someone constantly feels like things happen “to” them and they’re powerless, they possess a victim mindset. On the other hand, someone who believes they can influence their life circumstances and make things happen is showcasing an empowered mindset. These mindsets differ in terms of one’s perceived control over personal circumstances.
Introversion Mindset vs. Extraversion Mindset
Think about someone who gains energy from solitude, preferring a quiet night in – they have an introverted mindset. But consider a person who gains energy from social interactions and loves the bustle of a party – they represent an extraversion mindset. The distinction here lies in the source of energy and preferred environments.
Sensing Mindset vs. Intuition Mindset
A person who trusts tangible information and relies on the concrete facts before them uses a sensing mindset. Yet, someone who trusts their ‘gut feelings’ and reads between the lines utilizes an intuition mindset. These mindsets contrast in how individuals gather and trust information.
Thinking Mindset vs. Feeling Mindset
Picture someone who makes decisions based on logical analysis; they have a thinking mindset. But someone else might prefer to make decisions based on their values and emotions, showing a feeling mindset. The difference here lies in the preferred method for making decisions.
Judging Mindset vs. Perceiving Mindset
People like things decided, planned, and orderly – they have a judging mindset. Alternatively, a person who prefers to stay open to new information and options shows a perceiving mindset even in the face of decision-making. The divergence here is in one’s approach to planning and decision-making.
Key Takeaways
- Mindsets are deeply ingrained beliefs that shape our perceptions and behaviors.
- There’s a spectrum of mindsets – from scarcity to abundance, fixed to growth, negative to positive, and beyond.
- Each mindset represents a different approach to life’s experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
- Understanding these contrasting mindsets can offer insight into our thinking patterns, helping us to adjust and adapt for personal growth.
Conclusion
In our journey through life, we carry our mindsets like invisible backpacks, full of our beliefs and perceptions. Whether it’s abundance or scarcity, growth or fixed, positive or negative, each mindset we possess has profound implications for navigating our world. Recognizing and understanding these mindsets gives us a powerful tool to reshape our lives, making conscious choices about how we respond to the world around us. Ultimately, it’s not just about identifying our current mindset but about cultivating the mindset that best supports our journey toward fulfillment and growth.
