Mindset and Resilience: Growth Mindset, Grit and Man's Search for Meaning

Breni's Growth Mindset path teaches resilience through four widely read books. There are 4 courses: Mindset by Carol Dweck, Grit by Angela Duckworth, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, and Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. Dweck covers beliefs about ability, Duckworth covers sticking with long goals, Frankl covers meaning in suffering, and Goggins covers mental toughness. Each course also shows what later research found about its claims.

  • 4 courses
  • 52 learning objectives
  • Level: beginner
  • Language: English
  • Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

  • Tell a fixed mindset from a growth mindset in real situations
  • Praise effort and strategy instead of talent
  • Explain grit and how it differs from talent
  • Describe Frankl's three ways of finding meaning
  • Judge the evidence behind popular resilience advice

Full curriculum

Part 1 · Beliefs and persistence

1. Mindset by Carol Dweck: Grow Through Challenges

Spot fixed and growth mindsets and respond to setbacks as chances to learn. Units, in order: Fixed and growth mindsets; Praising effort, not talent; Seeing failure as a chance to learn; Mindset in school, sport and work; What later studies found.

  • — Fixed and Growth Mindsets
    Learn the difference between fixed and growth beliefs.
    • Fixed Mindset Definition
    • Growth Mindset Definition
    • The Two Mindsets Continuum
  • — Praising Effort, Not Talent
    Discover why praising effort beats praising smarts.
    • Dangers of Praising Intelligence
    • The Power of Process Praise
    • The Power of Yet
  • — Learning From Failure
    Turn setbacks into stepping stones for future success.
    • Reactions to Setbacks
    • Converting Setbacks to Success
    • Embracing Hard Challenges
  • — Mindset in Life Domains
    See how mindsets shape school, sports, and business.
    • Mindset in the Classroom
    • Mindset in Sports and Heroes
    • Mindset in Business Cultures
  • — What Later Studies Found
    Explore replication challenges and recent research findings.
    • Replicating Dweck's Findings
    • Large Scale Trial Results
    • The False Growth Mindset

2. Grit by Angela Duckworth: Keep Going on Long-Term Goals

Build passion and perseverance for one long-term goal. Units, in order: Grit: passion and perseverance; Why effort counts twice; Deliberate practice; Purpose and hope; Grit and conscientiousness: the research debate.

  • — Passion and Perseverance
    Learn what grit means and how passion matters.
    • Define Grit
    • Sustained Passion
  • — Why Effort Counts Twice
    Understand how effort builds skill and leads to success.
    • Effort Equations
    • Talent Overrated
  • — Deliberate Practice
    Master the specific type of practice that improves performance.
    • Practice Mechanism
    • Avoid Plateaus
  • — Purpose and Hope
    Connect your work to a deeper meaning and mindset.
    • Sense of Purpose
    • The Power of Hope
  • — The Research Debate
    Explore critiques, meta-analyses, and the link to conscientiousness.
    • Conscientiousness Overlap
    • Scientific Critiques

Part 2 · Meaning and toughness

3. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: Find Meaning in Hard Times

Use Frankl's ideas to find meaning and choose your response to hardship. Units, in order: Life in the camps; The freedom to choose your attitude; Logotherapy; Three ways to find meaning; Tragic optimism.

  • — Life in the Camps
    Learn how prisoners lived in Nazi concentration camps.
    • Frankl in the camps
    • Three camp stages
    • Survival and hope
  • — The Freedom to Choose
    Discover how you can always choose your mental attitude.
    • Inner freedom
    • The human spirit
    • Decent people
  • — Logotherapy Basics
    Understand logotherapy as the third school of Viennese psychotherapy.
    • Will to meaning
    • Meaning under all conditions
    • Not a religious system
  • — Three Ways to Find Meaning
    Explore the three specific ways people discover meaning in life.
    • Creating work
    • Experiencing love
    • Facing suffering
  • — Tragic Optimism
    Learn how to keep optimism and hope even in difficult times.
    • Meaning in suffering
    • The power of why
    • Responsible to life

4. Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins: Build Mental Toughness

Use Goggins's tools for hard goals, and see what research says about mental toughness. Units, in order: From a hard childhood to Navy SEAL; The 40% rule; The cookie jar; The accountability mirror; Callusing your mind; Mental toughness, rest and recovery.

  • — Childhood and Navy SEAL Career
    Learn about Goggins's early struggles and military journey.
    • Early Life Struggles
    • Becoming a SEAL
  • — Understanding the 40% Rule
    Discover how mental governors limit your true physical potential.
    • The Mental Governor
    • Pushing Past Limits
  • — Using the Cookie Jar
    Store past victories to fuel your future endurance.
    • Reviewing Past Wins
    • Fueling New Efforts
  • — The Accountability Mirror
    Face your flaws and insecurities with brutal honesty.
    • Brutal Self Inventory
    • Using Post-Its for Goals
  • — Callusing Your Mind
    Build mental toughness through repeated exposure to discomfort.
    • Embracing Discomfort
    • Scientific Mental Toughness
  • — Rest and Mental Toughness
    Balance hard work, scheduled rest, and proper recovery.
    • Scheduling Your Life
    • The Importance of Rest

Sample: Mindset by Carol Dweck: Grow Through Challenges

The opening tier, (Fixed and Growth Mindsets). Learn the difference between fixed and growth beliefs.

Fixed Mindset Definition

Understand how a fixed mindset views basic abilities.

Growth Mindset Definition

Learn how a growth mindset builds new skills.

The Two Mindsets Continuum

See how people fall on a mindset continuum.

Questions about Mindset and Resilience: Growth Mindset, Grit and Man's Search for Meaning

What is the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset?

A fixed mindset treats ability as set at birth. A growth mindset treats it as something that improves with effort, good strategies and help from others.

Does growth mindset really work?

Large later studies found the effects of mindset training are smaller than early reports suggested, and stronger for some students than others. The course covers both the idea and this evidence.

What is grit?

Angela Duckworth defines grit as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Researchers still debate how different it is from conscientiousness.

Is Breni affiliated with the authors?

No. Breni is not affiliated with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, the estate of Viktor Frankl, David Goggins or their publishers.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes, finishing all 4 courses earns a Breni certificate of completion.

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