"Ganas" versus a "Growth Mindset"? You decide!

By Quetzal Mama • June 20, 2013

"Ganas" versus a "Growth Mindset"? You decide!   Today I sat in a webinar entitled, “Changing Mindsets, Motivating Students” led by Stanford Professor, Dr. Carol Dweck.  Dr. Dweck’s work is especially intriguing to me as she has spent her career observing children – and how their mindset can profoundly influence their behavior. She categorizes two distinct “mindsets” and how each influences how we raise our children (and how they respond to our parenting philosophy), and how this impacts their life potential.  In a nutshell, she finds that individuals with a “Fixed Mindset” believe their abilities (and successes) are based on innate ability.  In other words, they believe we are all simply born “smart,” “average”, below average”, etc.  Since they believe their intellectual abilities are fixed, they are reluctant to challenge themselves.  Unfortunately, this reluctance is problematic as they often do not reach their academic potential. On the other hand, individuals with a “Growth Mindset” believe they can change, adapt, and develop new skills to help them overcome challenges.  Dr. Dweck believes those who have adapted a “Growth Mindset” are better able to handle setbacks, obstacles, and possess the confidence to get past their deficiencies.  She credits this type of philosophy, along with the phenomena of neuroplasticity, as the reason some students can overcome deficiencies and, ultimately, be successful. Interesting.   As a College Admissions coach, I am very interested in this theory as I have worked with many students who display a wide range of intellectual abilities.  I don’t know whether the factor that separates my overachieving students (the “Latino Superstars”) can be categorized as a “Growth Mindset” or if it is merely what we call “Ganas.”  I believe our concept of ganas, along with neuroplasticity, creates the greatest achievements (relative to a Latino student’s starting point).  I see this all the time.  It works like this: A Latino student (we will call him Oscar) has somehow decided at an early age, that he will defy his odds and will overcome his many obstacles (lack of resources, lack of mentors, low socio-economic status, English speaking skills, etc.).  Oscar may not necessarily be a “genius,” but he has above average intelligence.  Oscar’s resolve to achieve, amidst his setbacks, is what we call “ganas.”  In addition, since he is challenging himself by taking rigorous coursework, reading higher level works in abundance, engaging in challenging projects and competitions, he is creating new neurons . . . thus leading to greater intellectual abilities. What does this mean for Latino parents?  It means we should reject the notion that our student’s intellectual abilities are “fixed.”  It means we can convince our children that their thoughts and actions directly affect their academic success, regardless of their starting point.  By encouraging nuestros niños to challenge themselves, we are helping them to develop new skills, tactics, and ultimately, impacting their life potential.   Whatever we call it – a “Growth Mindset” or “Ganas,” we want our kids to take on difficult projects amidst diversity.  Let’s show them how.  Si se puede! ―Quetzal Mama