You have probably heard someone say something like, “There are two kinds of people in this world: those who like pineapple on pizza and those who are wrong.”
Whether a person uses the “two kinds of people” trope seriously or as a vehicle for humor, it is certainly reductive. It goes without saying that in reality there are a lot more than two kinds of people.
Still and all, the idiom can be useful when you are trying to draw a clear distinction between two points of view. We might use it, for example, to propose there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have a fixed mindset and those who have a growth mindset.
This distinction between fixed and growth mindsets is interesting to consider for almost anyone. However, it is of particular importance for those who are in recovery from a substance use disorder. That is because a fixed mindset works against your recovery efforts while a growth mindset works for those efforts.
Let’s take a look at fixed and growth mindsets—and determine why the latter is better for your recovery.
A Fixed Mindset Can Get You in a Fix
What does it mean to have a fixed mindset? A person with a fixed mindset believes that they (and everyone else) were born with a certain supply of talent and intelligence. They believe that supply can neither be increased nor depleted. They are good at what they are good at and bad at what they are bad at—and that is just the way it is.
Imagine, for example, that you have marveled at people who can play the piano by ear. These folks seem to have an innate ability that allows them to hear a tune and then play it on the piano without the benefit of any sheet music.
Now let’s say that you decide to give playing the piano a whirl—and you are eager to find out whether you have this amazing talent that you admire in others. Maybe you decide to listen to a simple tune and then try to pick it out on the piano. The odds are pretty good that you will have a hard time doing so, especially if this is your first attempt at playing the instrument.
If your mindset is fixed, this single attempt to play the piano by ear might be enough to convince you that you will never be able to do so. You might well conclude that you simply do not have the talent necessary. You might give up on your goal of playing the piano entirely.
Fortunately, there is another way you might approach the situation.
A Growth Mindset Opens You Up to Possibility
What does it mean to have a growth mindset? A person with a growth mindset believes that they can, in fact, learn new things, develop new skills, and continuously improve over time. They know that things might be challenging at first but are confident that hard work and persistence can help them achieve any goal they set for themselves.
To return to our piano-playing example, it turns out that it is possible to learn to play by ear. It is not simply an innate ability, but rather a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved. So, if you have a growth mindset, instead of giving up right away, you might seek out a piano teacher who can help you develop that particular skill. It will take time—and you might never become a person who can always immediately play a tune after hearing it. But you can get better as long as you stick with it.
The same principle is in play when it comes to your recovery.
How a Growth Mindset Serves You in Recovery
A person in recovery who has a fixed mindset may believe that they will never be able to avoid using drugs or alcohol for an extended period of time. They might buy into the idea that they are “a drunk” or “a druggie” and that they can never truly change—an idea too often propagated in society.
A person in recovery who has a growth mindset, however, understands that they can continue to learn and grow in recovery—strengthening the likelihood that they can avoid returning to drugs or alcohol. And if they do experience a relapse, instead of giving up, a person with a growth mindset will know that the best thing to do is to head back to treatment and try again.
You get to choose what kind of mindset you bring to your recovery. We encourage you to believe in your capacity for growth.
We Are Ready and Able to Help
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we provide comprehensive treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are committed to helping the individuals we serve reclaim their lives and start their recovery journeys with confidence. If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol and want to make a change (which is a sign of a growth mindset!), we want to help you accomplish your goal of living substance-free.