Many people operate with a “fixed mindset,” believing their abilities are static. This makes them fear criticism, as they see it as a final judgment on their worth. A clinical psychologist explains that adopting a “growth mindset”—the belief that abilities can be developed—is a powerful way to reduce stress by changing your relationship with feedback.
A fixed mindset makes you highly vulnerable to stress. Every task becomes a test, and any feedback that isn’t pure praise can trigger a physiological threat response. This is a major source of the anxiety that plagues workplaces.
A growth mindset, however, reframes the entire situation. Challenges are no longer threats, but opportunities to learn. Criticism is not a judgment, but valuable information that fuels your development. The psychologist highlights that increasing your “appetite for critical feedback” is the hallmark of a growth mindset.
When you genuinely believe you can improve, feedback becomes a gift. This shift in perspective prevents the defensive stress reaction, allowing you to engage with the information calmly and constructively. This not only accelerates your professional growth but also eliminates a huge source of daily physiological stress.