It's the packaging, not the idea

Confession: any time someone says “growth mindset” I find it nauseating. I just hate that phrase. I honestly can’t even explain why. Someone can be saying something I fully agree with, and the second those two words come out, something in me checks out.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs gives me a version of the same thing. Belonging, growth, self-actualization — the actual content is probably fine. But people talk about it with this god complex, like they’ve unlocked the source code of being human and you’re currently on level two of their pyramid. That delivery makes me hate a framework I’d otherwise nod along to.

And here’s the thing I keep landing on: I think if the narrative was told to me a different way, I would accept it. Same ideas, different packaging — no resistance. Tell me “people do better when they believe they can improve” and I’m nodding. Call it a growth mindset and I’m nauseous. Walk me through “it’s hard to think about purpose when you’re worried about rent” and I’m with you. Present the pyramid like scripture and I’m out.

So it’s not the ideas I’m rejecting. It’s the packaging. Which is a weird thing to notice about yourself, because the packaging shouldn’t matter — and apparently, for me, it completely does. I can’t fully explain that either.

Still not saying “growth mindset” out loud, though.