Lesson 1: The Mental Icebreaker

As the old saying goes - "the future belongs to those who dream it".

The idea of achieving one's dreams through perseverance and hardship is nothing new; we were all taught to believe in ourselves since we were kids.

A TEDx lecture titled, The Power of Belief; Mindset and Success argue that there are two different types of mindsets which determine success; fixed and growth mindset.

A fixed mindset describes intelligence or skill as "unalterable". Alternatively, growth mindsets argue that abilities can be improved through methods of trial and error.

The key message the presenter illustrates is our innate ability to change our ways of thinking through methods of a growth mindset. It urges the audience to avoid falling into a trap; a belief that people are born with talent.

Consequences of a fixed mindset, according to the academic performances of year 7 students over the next 2 years, depicts a widening performance gap as their tuition continues. Most interestingly, a similar study measuring the impacts of fixed mindset praising concluded; children who received praise were less likely to spend more time challenging themselves. It enforces the idea, as communication students, we should strive for improvement through perseverance rather than accepting futile beliefs.

However, there are parts of the study and lecture that I disagree with. The lecturer paints a very black and white picture when adopting a mindset. No one could realistically have a 100% growth mindset. Rather, people exist on a wide, grey, spectrum of growth and fixed mindsets due to our innate biases and personal expectations.

On the other hand, what was a remarkable achievement was the analysis of the DrinkWise campaign (hosted by DrinkWise Australia). It featured a black and white animated, gentleman, addressing the Australian drinking culture.

Interestingly, the advertisement campaign was commissioned and sponsored by the alcohol industry to address the issue of adolescent binge drinking. Breaking into a difficult target age group of 18 to 24-year-old Australians, the campaign convinced 91% of its viewers to take steps of alcohol moderation.

It demonstrates that the once “very difficult target audience”, has the potential to listen to a media message. Given the research, along with a growth mindset, the DrinkWise campaign team discovered communication methods to engage with their audience.

However, the issue I have with this campaign was the direct sponsorship DrinkWise Australia received from the alcohol industry. Although the advertisement’s intention was to encourage better drinking habits. The animated gentleman and the spokesperson glorified drinking as a “cool classy” activity.

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DrinkWise campaign - How to Drink Properly 2016, Youtube video, 4 Dec, DrinkWise Australia, viewed 19 November 2019, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_sY5-UBZh8>.

The Power of belief -- mindset and success | Eduardo Briceno | TEDxManhattanBeach 2012, Youtube video, 18 November, TEDx Talks, viewed 19 November 2019, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc>.