Our mindset shapes how we see and experience the world. Discover 8 common mindset types and what influences the way we think – from genetics to upbringing.

Think of your mindset as a pair of glasses. Depending on the lens you’re looking through, the world can look bright and full of opportunities or grey and gloomy. Your mindset is essentially a collection of your beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions that colour how you interpret the good, the bad, the confusing, and the ordinary. It influences how you react to setbacks, celebrate wins, and behave in everyday life. So, if you have ever felt like you’re just a passenger in your own life. Like things just happen to you. One of the ways to take back the steering wheel is by changing your lenses.

While this may feel like a buzzword now, the value of your mindset has long been acknowledged. Stoic philosophers Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus mention mindset without using the word when they say that happiness depends on your thoughts, suffering is too often worse in imagination than in reality and making the most of what you can and accepting the rest as is.

There are different types of mindsets, and you might recognise some of them in yourself or in people you know. And if you’re not loving the mindset you're in, the good news is that it’s not permanent. With some awareness and effort, you can begin to shift it.

“The mind is just like a muscle - the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.” ~ Idowu Koyenikan

open notebook with a pencil on it, and the words "your life is as good as your mindset"

8 Ways of Thinking and Why We Think That Way

Some mindsets are healthy and empowering, and others can be limiting and debilitating. These 8 mindset types are some of the most common. Each one a bit like a coin, with an opposing side.

1. Growth Mindset

A growth mindset centres on the belief that you can develop and improve knowledge and skills over time, with no requirement of natural talent or luck beforehand. People with this mindset know that effort, curiosity, and getting out of your comfort zone allow you to expand your potential. Challenges, mistakes and failures? Simply part of the process and are opportunities for learning and growth. This means that a growth mindset also strengthens resilience (the difference between I failed, and I’m figuring this out). A growth mindset encourages phrases like:

“I don’t know this or how to do it yet, but I can learn.”
“Okay, that didn’t work. What can I do differently next time?”

2. Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset is the other side of the growth mindset coin. This mindset is stuck on the belief that your intelligence, skills, talents, and capabilities are unchangeable. People with this mindset believe that if there is no natural talent, or if things don’t come easily, then they aren’t worth doing. As a result, these people avoid challenges (worried about failure) and often deflate or feel threatened when others succeed (not because they are inherently unkind, but because they often see it as proof of not being good enough, being unlucky, and evidence of their limits or that you cannot ‘better yourself’). A fixed mindset leans into phrases like:

“I’m just not good at this and never will be.”
“I won’t get the hang of things. Shouldn’t have even tried.”

3. Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset has the core belief that there are enough resources, opportunities, and success to go around. People with abundance mindsets aren’t afraid to share tips, learn from others, are open to collaborations, and can celebrate others wins. This is because their success doesn’t take away from yours, and working with people opens possibilities and aren’t viewed as threats. An abundance mindset encourages generosity and helps live life with a sense of ease (even when resources are tight and success hasn’t been felt yet).

4. Scarcity Mindset

A scarcity mindset is the other side of the abundance mindset coin. This mindset is attached to the belief that there are limited resources, opportunities, and success to go around. People with this mindset see the world as one of winners and losers, with limited seating at the table. This belief of lack extends to all parts of life: there’s not enough time, nor money. With this mindset, people will burnout trying to gather resources for themselves (giving themselves little time to rest, spend time with family, or lead a balanced life). They will often struggle to share knowledge or resources because they believe it will put their own success at risk. This mindset breeds competition and comparison over connection.

5. Optimistic Mindset

An optimistic mindset centres on the belief that everything works out in the end. Not in a naïve way. This belief is grounded in faith, hope, and resilience. People with an optimistic mindset look for the good in a situation, believe change is possible, and see hard times as temporary (not defining). These people are often solution finders rather than consistent complainers. They believe that their thoughts and actions can positively affect their outcomes.

6. Pessimistic Mindset

A pessimistic mindset is the other side of the optimistic mindset coin. It leans into doubt and the expecting the worst. People with a pessimistic mindset focus on what’s missing or wrong, with little to no trust in things working out. This mindset can be deeply rooted in past hurts, disappointments, or fear. Phrases like, “Of course this would happen. Everything always goes wrong for me” are commonly said and believed. In many cases, this mindset is often a form of self-protection. But this hopelessness and worst-case-scenario thinking can make it harder to feel motivated or find joy. Almost making this belief a self-fulfilling prophecy.

7. Open Mindset

An open mindset centres in curiosity and flexibility. People with this mindset are willing to listen, change their point of view with new information or experience, and consider new ways of doing things. Because of this, open-minded people tend to adapt well to change because they are always ready to learn.

8. Closed Mindset

A closed mindset is the other side of the open mindset coin. It is stuck on the belief that change is uncomfortable and unnecessary, and that established thoughts and views are the only way (this is how it’s always been done type of thinking). People with this mindset want everything to stay the same, are hesitant to explore new ideas or consider viewpoints that differ from their own. This mindset may come from fear, pride, or simply having never been encouraged to question things.

If you’re identifying with the more limiting mindsets, or recognise the traits in others, remember to be kind in how you move forward. There are a multitude of reasons for having these mindsets, and there is often little you can do to change someone else’s mindset when they are not ready to put in the effort for themselves. Focus on what you can control: your own mindset. Slowly and surely, you can shift your mindset with intentional effort, continually learning, and being open to experiences new things. Adopting healthier and happier mindsets can further your personal growth, support success, and improve your overall well-being

young girl with braids holding a teddy bear and reading on a picnic blanket outside

Why Do We Think the Way We Do?

Your mindset is more than something you're born with. It’s this intertwined mix of your natural tendencies and everything you’ve experienced in life. This complicated blend of nature (your wiring) and nurture (your world) is also always evolving.

Nature

There are some traits that influence your mindset (like natural resilience or openness to new experiences) that may have a genetic component. Some people might just be born with a natural inclination to be more optimistic, and some may be incredibly hard on themselves when they fail.

Nurture

Your environment has a major effect on your mindset. The people around you, the culture you grew up in, the experiences you have, and your physical environment all shape how you think of yourself and the world:

Family Environment: Parents or caregivers who encourage learning, effort, and reflection tend to raise kids with more positive, resilient mindsets.
Education: School, teachers, and even the books you read can shape your mindset. When teachers focus on learning over grades, they help you build critical thinking skills and an open mind. On the other hand, environments focused purely on grades can reinforce a fixed mindset.
Peer Influence: We’re deeply influenced by our social circle. Spending time with curious, motivated, supportive people rubs off (just like negativity can). If your friends are always looking for ways to grow and improve, you'll be inspired to do the same. It's also so important to surround yourself with people who lift you up.
Cultural and Societal Values: The values of your community can really shape your thinking. In a culture that celebrates hard work, you're more likely to develop a mindset that values effort. A culture that celebrates perseverance, creativity, or joy can encourage those values in individuals. One that prizes status, fear, or control often breeds scarcity or closed thinking.
Media and Role Models: The books you read, things you watch, podcasts you listen to, and people you admire can all open you up to new perspectives (or keep you stuck in familiar patterns). Consuming positive, inspiring content can help you develop a more optimistic mindset. Similarly, seeing people overcome challenges can inspire you to do the same.
Life Experiences: Every success and every setback shapes your thoughts and feelings. Overcoming a tough time can build your resilience and strengthen your growth mindset. Listening to others' stories can also broaden your perspective and open your mind to new possibilities. Loss, success, failure, travel, heartbreak, joy... they all leave a mark. The more you reflect on those experiences, the more they can help you grow.

The bottom line is that a mindset shift is always possible. You can actively change how you think and speak, explore your core beliefs, invest in yourself, and connect with people who inspire you.

Choose Your Mindset

Now that you know more about the different mindset types, which one do you feel you have? And which mindset would you like to lean into more? Maybe you're already leaning towards a growth or abundance mindset, or perhaps you've realised you're stuck in a pessimistic one.

The first step to choosing your mindset is simply being aware of the ones you have. The second step is to take actions that support the mindsets you want. So, what's one small thing you can do today to challenge or strengthen your mindset? Maybe you could read an article about a topic you've never considered, try a new hobby, or simply reframe a negative thought into a positive one. Then, with curiosity and kindness, you can begin to explore new beliefs, try different ways of responding, and surround yourself with people and ideas that support the mindset you want to build.

[Updated in 2025]

Affirmation: My mindset is my superpower. I have the ability to shift my perspective and grow with every challenge.

To-do: Here are a few simple, actionable steps you can take to put these ideas into practice.

Spot a scarcity thought: For one day, pay attention to your thoughts. If you notice yourself thinking, "There isn't enough," or "I'll never get that," pause and reframe it. Tell yourself, "There is enough for everyone, including me."
Read something new: Pick up a book or read an article on a topic you know very little about. This is a great way to practise having an open mind and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Find a role model: Think of someone you admire who has a mindset you want to develop. It could be a friend, a mentor, or a public figure. What is one habit or belief of theirs you can try to adopt this week?

Journal Prompts:

Think about a time you faced a difficult situation. How did your mindset affect the outcome? What would have been different if you had a more optimistic or growth-oriented mindset?
Which of the eight mindset types resonated most with you? Why do you think that is? How do you feel this mindset currently serves you or holds you back?
Think about a goal you have. What negative thoughts or limiting beliefs are holding you back? Challenge them by writing down the opposite belief. For example, if you think, "I'm not good enough to do this," you could write, "I am learning and growing, and I have the potential to succeed."

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Revealing 8 Mindset Types People Have and Reasons Why