“On meurt deux fois, je le vois bien :
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Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable,
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C’est une mort insupportable :
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Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”. Source
This poignant observation comes from the letters of Vincent van Gogh. In English, it translates to: “We die twice, I see it clearly: To stop loving and being lovable, that is an unbearable death. To stop living, that is nothing.” While penned in the 19th century, these words capture the essence of a very modern psychological concept: the growth mindset. Van Gogh, an artist defined by his relentless passion and evolution, unknowingly described the core struggle between a fixed and a growth-oriented view of life. He suggests that the true end is not physical death, but the death of our capacity to learn, connect, and improve.
Understanding the Growth Mindset
Before diving deeper into Van Gogh’s wisdom, we must first define the growth mindset. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck popularized this concept through her extensive research. . She identified two core beliefs people hold about their own abilities. Source. Van Gogh Museum – Official Biography
Someone with a fixed mindset believes their intelligence and talents are static traits. They think you are born with a certain amount of skill, and that’s it. Consequently, they often avoid challenges to prevent potential failure. They see effort as a sign of weakness. Feedback can feel like a personal attack. Vincent van Gogh – Van Gogh Museum
In contrast, a person with a growth mindset believes they can develop their abilities through dedication and hard work. They understand that brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. They embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and see effort as the path to mastery.
. Vincent van Gogh – National Gallery of Art
The ‘Unbearable Death’ of a Fixed Mindset
Van Gogh calls the act of ceasing to love and be lovable an “unbearable death.” This is a powerful metaphor for the paralysis of a fixed mindset. When you believe your abilities are unchangeable, the risk of failure becomes terrifying. It feels like a final judgment on who you are. Therefore, you may stop trying new things. You stop putting yourself out there. You stop loving the process of creation and learning because you fear the outcome.
This is the death of potential. It is the decision to stagnate rather than risk imperfection. Furthermore, it isolates you. If you cannot be lovable without flawless performance, you withdraw from others to protect your ego. This self-imposed prison is truly an unbearable way to live, devoid of the joy that comes from striving and connecting.
Living Fully: The Growth Mindset in Action
Van Gogh’s life was a testament to the growth mindset. He was largely unrecognized in his time, yet he produced over 2,000 artworks. He constantly experimented with color, style, and technique. He did not let a lack of external validation stop his internal drive to improve. For him, the physical end—”to stop living”—was nothing compared to the tragedy of stopping his artistic journey. The process was everything.
This philosophy is directly applicable to our lives today. Embracing a growth mindset means you focus on the journey, not just the destination. You value the effort you put in and the lessons you learn from failure. This approach transforms obstacles into opportunities. A difficult project at work is no longer a threat. Instead, it becomes a chance to acquire new skills. Negative feedback is not a personal insult. It is valuable data you can use to improve.
How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Shifting your perspective is an active process. It requires conscious effort and practice. Fortunately, you can take practical steps to nurture a growth mindset in your professional and personal life. Companies that actively foster this culture often see higher engagement and innovation. For instance, teams with a growth mindset are better at collaborating and solving complex problems.
Start by paying attention to your own thoughts. When you face a setback, do you hear a voice saying, “I can’t do this”? Acknowledge that thought and then reframe it. Instead, tell yourself, “I can’t do this yet.” That small addition opens the door to possibility and learning. Moreover, you should celebrate progress and effort, not just final victories. Praise the hard work your team members put into a project, regardless of the outcome. This reinforces the idea that striving is what truly matters. Research shows that employees in a growth mindset culture feel more empowered and committed.
Ultimately, Van Gogh’s message is a timeless call to action. He urges us to fear stagnation more than failure. By choosing to continuously love the process of learning, trying, and connecting, we can avoid the “unbearable death” of a limited life. We can choose to grow.