Introduction: “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
Skip Downing has divided his chapter “Adopting a Creator Mindset” into three major parts. He discusses self-responsibility to highlight how it is a key to success, how it shapes the mindset of a creator versus a victim, how it varies and impacts individuals across cultures, and how it is intertwined with the choices individuals make in their careers or lives. In the first part, Downing references the opinions of authorities such as Richard Logan, who stated that individuals facing different challenges, such as those in “concentration camps,” take responsibility for their survival (41). Thus, self-responsibility plays a crucial role in their ultimate survival. Downing also presents a case study of Debora, who failed her English 101, illustrating the concepts of the creator and victim mindsets. He then cites the well-known example of Rosa Parks.
In the second part, Downing delves into the cultural background’s role in determining responsibility. A major point he discusses is the “locus of control,” which becomes a central factor when viewing the assumption of responsibility through a cultural lens (43). In the third part, he elaborates on the choices individuals make and how they respond to them. He terms self-responsibility as a key to success, creating a mindset that, despite facing cultural constraints, ultimately leads to the final decision-making process in response to stimuli. Downing not only highlights the role of self-responsibility but also discusses its limitations across different cultures. He explores how the choices individuals make regarding responsibility contribute to their success in life.
Self-Responsibility in “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
In the first part, Downing emphasizes that self-responsibility is the key to success, whether in terms of survival, educational pursuits, or passing examinations. He cites the insights of Richard Logan, a psychologist, who studied successful individuals and concluded that they assumed self-responsibility by creating their own paths for survival. Downing refers to this as “response-ability,” signifying an individual’s capacity to respond to the choices they encounter in life (41). He argues that it involves becoming actively engaged to face challenges, as opposed to passively letting events unfold without taking intentional action (41).
To illustrate this point, Downing shares the case of Debora, one of his students who failed English 101 three times due to her passivity in embracing her responsibilities. Her persistent use of the word “but” in her conversations became a contributing factor to her failure (42). This passivity transformed her into a victim mindset, highlighting the detrimental consequences of not taking up self-responsibility.
Mindset Type in “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
In the second part, Downing explores the dynamics of a victim and a creator mindset. He asserts that an individual adopts a victim mindset when they refrain from taking up responsibilities and consciously choose to remain inactive. This choice leads to the development of a set of beliefs, which Downing labels as a “mindset,” trapping individuals in what he terms a “Victim mindset” (42). This mindset hinders people from acting on their choices, causing them to become passive.
On the contrary, the Creator mindset represents individuals who actively seek various options and choose to implement one of them to bring about positive change in their lives. Downing describes it as taking up personal responsibility, akin to forging a new path. As an illustrative example, he mentions Rosa Parks, who serves as an “inspiring example” of someone with a creator mindset (43).
Culture and “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
In the third part, Downing delves into the influence of culture on responsibility and outcomes. He references the insights of psychologist Julian Rotter, who introduces the concept of a “locus of control” within each culture, shaping people’s perceptions of external forces (43). In cultures with an “internal locus of control,” individuals believe that destiny is within their own hands (43). On the other hand, in some cultures, destiny is associated with cultural symbols, as seen in the Muslim culture where the phrase “God willing” is invoked when initiating or postponing tasks. Downing suggests that these cultural trends contribute to determinism, self-determination, and the issue of assuming personal responsibility. To illustrate this, he cites the example of William Henley, encouraging readers to take charge of their destiny as a compelling point (44). This highlights the interplay between cultural influences, determinism, and the individual’s ability to take personal responsibility.
Choice and “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
This leads him to delve into the concept of choice, examining whether an individual possesses agency in their life and the power to exercise this choice. Downing contends that the act of making a choice compels a person to engage in critical decision-making. When faced with a stimulus, he suggests that a person with a Victim mindset is likely to complain and make excuses, whereas an individual with a Creator mindset would pause, reflect, and then make a decision or explore alternative options (45). In fact, he distinguishes between a person who blames others, indicative of a Victim mindset, and a person who takes up self-responsibility, often leading to success and characterized as having a Creator mindset. The ability to navigate choices and take responsibility becomes a pivotal factor in determining an individual’s mindset and subsequent outcomes.
Me and “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
One part of this chapter, concerning culture, relates to a friend of mine. I have found that he frequently complains about difficult tasks assigned to him here in the United States. I won’t mention his name. However, I’ve observed him consistently blaming either his professors or a friend, whom he claims doesn’t teach him when they are together. Interestingly, this specific friend has informed me that the complaining friend often makes excuses, such as going shopping, having no time at the moment, planning to study later on weekends, or going to sleep. This behavior indicates that he has a Victim mindset.
Works Cited: “Adopting a Creator Mindset”‘
- Downing, Skip. On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life. 4th ed. Boston: Cengage Publishing,2004. 41-46. Print.
Relevant Questions: “Adopting a Creator Mindset”
- What is the central role of self-responsibility in “Adopting a Creator Mindset”?
- How does culture influence responsibility and outcomes in the context of “Adopting a Creator Mindset”?
- What distinguishes the characteristics of a Creator mindset from a Victim mindset in the chapter?
