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Growth Mindset! The INFJ Mindset? | Growth VS Fixed Mindset Explained: A Dragon Ball Z Example!
Dec 11, 2023
Is the Growth Mindset the INFJ Mindset? Do you have a Growth Mindset or Fixed Mindset? Think carefully, because your answers on those questions might determine the outcome of your life! We'll discuss both mindsets through a Dragon Ball Z Example!
As an INFJ male myself always focussed on personal development, I believe the Growth Mindset is very common among INFJs since we tend to be curious, idealistic and future-oriented.
Although the two mindsets as academic psychological constructs coined by psychologist Carol Dweck have been well documented in years of solid scientific research, their formal definitions might not be as easily understood by those without that same academic background.
You better learn about the two mindsets, because one of them is currently operating and having a profound impact on your life! With or without your awareness!
That’s why I’m going to explain the growth mindset vs fixed mindset by an example almost every student can understand: DRAGON BALL Z!
🔵 *Carol Dweck's Book - Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential* (^Affiliate)
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0:00
Do you enjoy learning by challenging yourself? Or do you avoid new challenges altogether due
0:04
to fear of failure? Think carefully, because your answers on those questions might signal
0:09
whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. As an INFJ male myself, always focused
0:15
on personal development, I believe the growth mindset is very common among INFJs, since we
0:20
tend to be curious, idealistic, and future-oriented. Although the two mindsets as academic psychological
0:25
constructs have been well documented in years of solid scientific research, their formal
0:30
definitions might not be as easily understood by those without that same academic background
0:35
You better learn about the two mindsets, because one of them is currently operating and having a
0:39
profound impact on your life, with or without your awareness. That's why I'm going to explain
0:45
the growth mindset versus fixed mindset by an example almost every student can understand
0:51
Dragon Ball Z 1. What is a fixed mindset? To get a good understanding of the difference between
0:59
growth mindset versus fixed mindset, it is easier to start with explaining what a fixed mindset is
1:04
Dr. Carol Dweck is the psychologist who discovered the existence of both growth mindset
1:09
and fixed mindset through her scientific research on personality, achievement, and developmental
1:15
psychology. Having a fixed mindset simply means that a person believes his or her qualities
1:21
intelligence, skills, and character attributes are set in stone, Dweck 2017. But other children, for them it was tragic, catastrophic. From their more fixed mindset
1:35
perspective, their core intelligence had been tested and devastated. A fixed mindset tends to be the default adopted mindset in society at large, and therefore
1:49
perhaps more recognizable. Fixed mindset individuals believe everyone is born with a certain amount of intelligence and skill, and that you can do little to nothing to change that
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You're smart or you're not. You're either naturally good at a certain skill or you're
2:02
not with little room for improvement. As a result, people with a fixed mindset go through
2:07
life avoidant of challenges that might lead to failure. In one study, after a failure on a test
2:14
they said they'd cheat next time instead of study more. In another study, they found someone who did
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worse than they did so they could feel better. And in many studies, we found they run from difficulty
2:30
Their self-esteem depends on intelligence and competence, basic characteristics which they believe to be finite uncontrollable aspects. They fear failure of any sort because that would reflect
2:40
back to them that they're insufficient, dumb, or incompetent. As they hold the belief that traits
2:46
intelligence, and competence are fixed, failure would automatically mean they're inferior at their
2:52
core forever as human beings. Because according to this belief, there would be nothing you could do
2:56
to improve those traits. People with a fixed mindset protect their self-image. You can imagine
3:02
that to fixed mindset individuals, failing a college exam, encountering someone who knows more
3:08
than them, or even the normal struggle that comes with learning a new skill isn't an opportunity for
3:13
growth to them, but a struggle for survival. What that survival entails is protecting their self-image
3:18
by not looking or feeling deficient. People with a fixed mindset therefore obviously don't enjoy
3:24
learning or taking on new challenges. They're constantly trying to prove themselves worthy
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only taking on things they are certain of that they can complete successfully
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But when those inevitable moments of failures in life happen, they're constantly trying to
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convince themselves and others of something else. Dweck 2017. Why? Again, because their self-image
3:46
and self-esteem depend on it. It is not hard to picture that depression and anxiety are always
3:50
lurking just around the corner when a challenge arises for people with a fixed mindset
3:55
Now that you have a general understanding of what a fixed mindset is, let's take a look at
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a famous Dragon Ball Z character that showcases the fixed mindset perfectly
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Spoiler alert for anyone who didn't see the Dragon Ball Z series. 2. Fixed Mindset Dragon Ball Z. Example. Frieza the Alien Tyrant. No other Dragon Ball Z character
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portrays the manifestation of the fixed mindset better than the intergalactic tyrant Frieza
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Frieza is the second son of King Cold, an evil mutant alien with an extremely high power level
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millions. As such, the powerful mutant genes got passed on and Frieza was born with that same
4:35
absurd power which made him the strongest being in his universe. With this insane power present
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from birth, Frieza never had to train or work for his might. His father King Cold who dominated
4:46
their universe, saw potential in him from a young age and soon handed his control over to Frieza
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As he was the strongest being in his universe, Frieza abused his power by conquering planets
4:57
and enslaving its inhabitants. Due to being notorious for his unprecedented strength and
5:02
menacing personality, no race or planet under his evil reign dared to even think of overthrowing him
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The ones who tried were obliterated in an instant. He saw anyone as beneath him
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since no one could match his abilities. Due to possessing such power from birth
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the spoiled Frieza never faced a real challenge or failure and truly believed he was the mightiest
5:21
because of his innate traits. Frieza's Fixed Mindset, A Closer Look Now do you see the fixed mindset in Frieza? He was born with a great amount of natural power
5:34
and never had to train or work for this, believing he is the mightiest due to natural innate factors
5:40
Later in the series he does train to get stronger, but his initial arrogance displays that he thought
5:45
he was way beyond needing training. His fixed mindset also shows in his entitled and contemptuous
5:50
demeanor, as he thinks anyone who is less powerful must be worthless, and therefore to
5:55
be used as a means to an end. Frieza never encountered true challenges or failures
6:00
Within the series he even says he never experienced physical pain besides from his parents
6:05
as there wasn't another living being powerful enough to hurt him. All of this sets him up for an important event we'll discuss later on
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One of the planets he enslaved was the planet Vegeta, home of a warrior race named Saiyans
6:24
This becomes significant further down the line. Having a growth mindset means that a person believes his or her basic qualities can be
6:35
cultivated by effort, strategies, and help from others. Dweck, 2017. Although people can differ greatly in the amount of natural talent
6:52
interests, temperaments and intelligence, growth mindset individuals believe that one can grow if they apply themselves by learning and getting experience. Dweck, 2017
7:02
To them, the secret to success is consistent effort. Now, do they falsely believe that
7:07
everyone can be the next Maya Angelou or Einstein just by trying hard? No. But they do however see
7:14
their future potential in an optimistic way as they consider that full potential is unknowable
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unless you try. They believe anyone can at least grow beyond their starting point
7:24
People with a growth mindset persevere through adversity. Growth mindset individuals actually
7:30
enjoy learning and challenges because they know that they're getting better even if they fail
7:35
Failure is not the end, but the beginning as it points out what you don't know or can't do yet
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As they tend to push forward even when encountering failures, they actually do
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get better at whatever skill they're honing by the amount of extra hours of experience they gain
7:50
Where fixed mindset individuals would think of themselves as losers when failing an exam
7:55
growth mindset individuals would say to themselves that they need to study harder for the exam next
8:00
time. As they attribute success or failure to a controllable factor like effort, they tend to
8:06
hold a more positive self-image and self-esteem even in the midst of failures as they believe and
8:12
know by experience that they could overcome them by working harder. Now that you have a general
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understanding of what a growth mindset is, let's take a look at another famous Dragon Ball Z
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character that acts out the growth mindset to a tee. 4. Growth Mindset, Dragon Ball Z
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Example. Goku. The Super Saiyan. Goku and his race at large are the embodiment of the growth mindset
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Goku belongs to the alien warrior race named the Saiyans, whose home is planet Vegeta. Saiyans are a
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strong, aggressive, and prideful race, reminiscent of primitive barbaric tribes. Despite their lack
8:48
of technological development, Saiyans have a special fighting ability to grow stronger from
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each battle they encounter, even when they lose. Together with their aggressive and combative
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nature, the Saiyans were a formidable warrior race. Frieza and his father recognized their potential
9:04
early on. They conquered planet Vegeta and enslaved the Saiyan race to be used as special
9:09
military pawns that would greatly improve Frieza's vile practice of conquering planets. Even though
9:14
planet Vegeta was taken over by Frieza and his army, his reign did bring the Saiyans in contact
9:19
with more advanced technology like spacecrafts. Frieza had a system in using the Saiyans for
9:25
conquest. The Saiyans had an army which consisted only of elite Saiyans. Baby Saiyans were ranked
9:30
elite or low class based on their power levels at birth. The elite Saiyans joined the army which
9:36
was sent out to take over tough planets for Frieza. Low Class Saiyan, High Class Mindset
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Low class Saiyan babies were often sent out alone in a spacecraft to planets who were deemed weak
9:47
so that even these low class Saiyan babies could conquer them. Goku was born on planet Vegeta under
9:52
the reign of Frieza, but at birth categorized as low class and sent to Earth. As he loses his memory
9:58
after an accident, he turns gentle and builds a life filled with friends on Earth. Despite being
10:03
typed as low class from birth, Goku's character is defined by his unwavering optimism, ironclad
10:09
perseverance, an insatiable hunger for challenge, and growing his fighting abilities. During the
10:14
series, there are numerous dangerous alien fighters that threaten the Earth and all of its inhabitants
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Goku always faced these fighters in battle even though his chances of winning were slim
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By persevering, Goku managed to overcome even the most dire situations, and grew stronger from them
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He had a laser focus when it came to training and preparing himself for future obstacles
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and was determined to always push beyond his limits even enjoying it when times got hard
10:47
Goku's Growth Mindset, A Closer Look Now do you see the growth mindset in Goku? From birth he was considered a low class Saiyan by his
10:55
own people. He had perhaps a power level of just a couple hundred. They might have been right about
11:01
this at the time, but it didn't stop Goku from growing stronger. Goku had to work hard. By
11:06
training and facing challenges head on, he grew his fighting abilities over time. His growth mindset
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is apparent in his characteristic optimism and excitement when in a challenging situation
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For instance, when he fights Prince Vegeta on Earth and finds out that he might not be able
11:22
to beat him, he smiles and tries even harder. His growth mindset also shows after beating the Saiyan
11:28
Prince. Goku lies in the hospital recovering from battle but then hears there is a far more powerful
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foe, Frieza, out on planet Namek where his friends went to find the Namekian Dragon Balls. Goku
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immediately gets up out of bed and starts his training while in his spaceship traveling to
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Namek. On the ship, he pushes beyond his limits by training under 100 times the Earth's gravity
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and reaches an all time high in power in just 5 short days
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5. Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset Frieza vs Goku In the final events of the search for the Dragon
12:01
Balls on planet Namek, Goku's progress is blatantly obvious as he now stands toe to toe in battle with
12:07
the almighty Frieza to protect his friends. Although Frieza isn't using his maximum power yet
12:13
Goku holds his own in battle. Now here is where the two different mindsets come in and determine
12:32
the outcome of their battle. Frieza's arrogance made him not take Goku seriously. He amused
12:38
himself by toying with Goku in the beginning as Frieza could have easily won if he fought
12:43
maximum from the start. Goku on the other hand was seriously engaged and fighting phenomenally
12:48
Goku's extremely high power level acquired through training did impress Frieza. Now that Frieza
12:54
powered up to half of his maximum, it became painfully apparent that Goku was in fact outclassed
12:59
all this time. Goku was now losing the battle rapidly, but he kept fighting and putting in the
13:05
effort, regardless of it being impossible to win. Although powered up to half of his power
13:10
the alien tyrant was still toying with Goku. Together with Goku's training, effort, his Saiyan
13:17
ability to rapidly grow stronger in challenging battles, and his elite level battle experience
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against the almighty Frieza, Goku got pushed over the edge. A golden edge to be exact
13:28
which made him reach the ultimate power of Saiyans. The Super Saiyan Transformation
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The Golden Transformation. Super Saiyan Goku. As Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan mid-battle
13:40
his strength increased to unimaginable heights, and now was even stronger than Frieza. Goku was
13:45
now beating Frieza for real. But since the alien emperor never experienced a true challenge in all
13:51
of his life, his ego got shattered. For the first time Frieza was losing while fighting at his
13:56
maximum power. Frieza couldn't handle that his lifelong presumed almighty unbeatable status was
14:02
getting destroyed at the hands of what was deemed a low class Saiyan pawn. The battle continued for
14:07
a while, but it was already lost. Frieza the alien tyrant now too distraught to fight properly
14:12
got defeated by Super Saiyan Goku. You've challenged and lost to a fighter who is
14:17
superior to you, and to make it worse, he's just a monkey, right
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Frieza always leaned on his natural given power, thinking he was invincible. Even though he was
14:32
beyond powerful, his fixed mindset made him stagnant in his strength as he hadn't improved
14:38
much, perhaps since birth. Who knows which heights he could have reached if he actually trained
14:44
His inability to handle failure was in the end arguably his only true failure. As for Goku
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by his relentless effort to train and face challenges head on without giving up
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he grew beyond his limits and reached the ultimate Saiyan power and did the unimaginable
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defeat the almighty Frieza. 6. Where does a person get a growth mindset or fixed mindset
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After all of those examples, you might wonder where someone gets either a growth mindset or
15:10
a fixed mindset. Well, these mindsets developed ever since we were children and were shaped by
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our parents, teachers or coaches, quality of praise, Dueck 2017. In other words, what did
15:21
your parents praise in you as a child when you did something great? Did they praise your intelligence
15:26
as a permanent trait or did they praise the amount of effort? Dueck states that there are
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many subtle and not so subtle ways in which parents can convey messages to their children
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about what they as parents value. Children are very sensitive and pick up those messages
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unconsciously. Therefore, it is very important to know what you believe as a parent and what
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you're communicating to your children. In her book, Mindset, changing the way you think to
15:50
fulfill your potential, Carol Dueck dives deep into the origins of the two mindsets
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Their day and night difference in life outcomes and how you can cultivate a growth mindset even
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if you started out with a fixed mindset. I recommend that you read her amazing book
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Click on the link on the screen to buy her book on Amazon via my affiliate link
16:10
Thanks to the amazing Dragon Ball Z example, we now know that carrying a growth mindset is far
16:14
more conducive to success than a fixed mindset. I enjoyed making this video very much because I've
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been a Dragon Ball Z fan from an early age. The growth mindset portrayed by Goku always inspired
16:27
me as a young INFJ teen to work hard and never give up, and I've carried this approach into my
16:32
adult life. Whenever I had a tough exam or a challenge, I thought about Goku's training in
16:37
the spaceship and how strong you can become if you keep working on yourself. This message had
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a profound impact on my perseverance, and I wouldn't be where I am today if I had given up
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during some of those tough times in my life. You can see this video as a tribute to the classic
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Dragon Ball Z series and the growth mindset. Now which mindset do you carry? Which mindset
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typically fits the INFJ? Leave your comments below