To what extent does mindset drive performance? Sure, inborn talent contributes to the achievement of our goals, but to
David Yeager, it’s our state of mind that makes all the difference. Yeager, an
Assistant Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, is a leading authority on grit, performance, and the growth mindset—the belief that our abilities are not fixed, but mutable. And to him, this mindset is inextricably linked to our senses of belonging, certainty, and purpose. When we feel that we truly belong and that we are capable of contributing meaningfully—in our high schools, in our college classes, and in the workplace—we’re taking the first step on the path to success.
