Entropy

 

                                                (image: youtube.com)

Kamo da lamang. Maghunong da ko!

In an era defined by relentless change and unprecedented challenges, the 21st century demands a radical shift in the way we think, lead, and solve problems.

Everywhere we look, we encounter individuals, leaders, politicians, and even family members who appear to be immobilized by the relentless pace of the modern world. Some adopt a passive "come-what-may" mentality, drifting aimlessly in the face of change, while others excessively delegate responsibilities, relinquishing their roles and accountability.

The conventional mindset is practiced.

A conventional mindset refers to a cognitive orientation that favors established norms and resists change, often leading to a preference for traditional methods over innovative approaches. This mindset is characterized by a fixed belief in the fixedness of abilities and intelligence, which can hinder adaptability and openness to new experiences.

Research on fixed and growth mindsets highlights that individuals with a fixed mindset perceive their talents and intelligence as static traits, making them more likely to avoid challenges and less resilient in the face of setbacks (Dweck, 2006).

A fixed mindset, fear of failure, and limited exposure to diverse ideas often restrict people’s ability to think beyond traditional approaches.

Fixed mindsets arise from a combination of early life experiences, societal norms, fear of failure, and cognitive biases, often reinforced by environments that emphasize innate ability over effort. Parental praise for intelligence rather than perseverance, societal focus on competition, and fear of judgment can all contribute to a belief that abilities are static.

Research by Claro et al. (2016) found that fixed mindsets are more prevalent in environments with socioeconomic stressors, further compounding their psychological impact. Additionally, Burnette et al. (2013) demonstrated that individuals with fixed mindsets experience lower resilience and heightened stress when faced with setbacks. Such mindsets have been linked to poor academic performance and mental health outcomes (Yeager & Dweck, 2012), underscoring the importance of fostering growth-oriented beliefs to promote adaptability and well-being.

Individuals with anxiety or depression may develop fixed mindsets as a coping mechanism, perceiving their abilities as unchangeable to avoid the risk of failure or further disappointment (Schleider & Weisz, 2016).

How to improve?

Deliberate improvement can be achieved by an individual through intentional and structured efforts. This process involves setting clear, specific goals and actively working to develop skills or behaviors that align with those goals.

Strategies such as self-reflection, seeking constructive feedback, and engaging in deliberate practice—focused, repetitive activities designed to target areas of weakness- are central to this improvement process (Ericsson et al., 1993).

Without personal action, one can only anticipate entropy—the natural decline into disorder and stagnation that occurs in the absence of intentional effort.