I talk a lot about growth mindset in education and psychology—and for good reason. The belief that you can improve through effort, feedback, and persistence is one of the most empowering ideas of the modern era. It’s the foundation of deep learning, transformation, and high performance.

I’ve built a career—and a life—around this principle.

But today, I want to explore the other side of the coin. I want to offer a defense of the fixed mindset.

Yes, you read that right.

Because in our rush to celebrate growth, we’ve overlooked the value of certain fixed beliefs—especially those that are earned, chosen, and functional.

The Truth About Fixed Mindsets

In Carol Dweck’s original research, a fixed mindset is the belief that ability is static, talent is innate, and failure is a verdict. Taken to the extreme, this view can stifle growth, discourage risk-taking, and lead to shame when we fall short.

But here’s the thing: we all hold fixed beliefs. About who we are. About what we value. About what we’re willing to fight for.

And some of those beliefs serve us.

“I’m a visual thinker.”
“I’m a leader.”
“I’m someone who follows through.”

These aren’t limitations. They’re earned identities—narratives we’ve built through effort and experience. As Aristotle said, we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

Identity as a Foundation

You can’t wake up every morning rethinking your entire identity. That’s paralyzing. Fixed beliefs give us structure. They help us act decisively, commit to long-term goals, and build lasting relationships.

The danger isn’t in having a fixed mindset. The danger is in clinging to one that’s outdated, fear-based, or untested.

But when fixed beliefs are earned—when they come from lived experience—they become powerful anchors. They allow us to perform under pressure.

When I earned a perfect SAT score in graduate school, I wasn’t trying to prove I was smart. I was testing a hypothesis: could a “fixed” test be beaten with a growth mindset?

Yes—but only because I had a fixed belief that I was a strategic thinker. That belief, built over years of work, gave me confidence. It allowed me to execute like a pro.

The Best Performers Combine Both

When we work with students preparing for standardized tests, the highest performers share a mindset that blends both fixed and growth elements:

“Yes, I’m smart. I can do this.”
“And I’ll keep improving through deliberate effort.”

That’s the sweet spot. That’s where confidence meets humility.

The most successful people I’ve interviewed on The Nick Standlea Show don’t live at the extremes. They have firm convictions about who they are—and flexible strategies about how to improve.

As Zig Ziglar once said, “Be firm in your principles, but flexible in your methods.”

Or as one futurist put it: strong beliefs, loosely held.

That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

Final Thought

So here’s the takeaway: A fixed mindset isn’t always a flaw. When it’s based on earned identity and used strategically, it’s a strength. And when paired with a growth mindset, it becomes a foundation for thriving in a fast-changing world.

Know who you are. Stay open to who you’re becoming.

That’s not just good psychology. That’s how you thrive.