Mindset

Having the right mindset is a big part of creating lasting change. When I learned what I’m about to share I thought why is this the first time I’m learning this. I’ve heard it before I think, but didn’t learn it.

I want to issue a challenge. Learn about mindset, and make it part of what you do each day. Let this information help you in decision making.

There are two types of mindsets that I learned about from a book called “mindset” by Carol Dweck.

Fixed Mindset

This is the mindset where I lived almost always. I need to do things the way they’ve always been done, and I only have certain control over what happens. I can influence my life for sure in the fixed mindset, but only to a certain extend.

One of the biggest challenges for me in a fixed mindset is the fear of failure. I don’t like letting people down. I’m a people pleaser by nature so it follows that the fear of not living up to a socially imposed standard can be debilitating.

Living life like this is stressful. Stress can limit what your willing to tackle. We are endowed with limitless potential. I’ve always believed this but a fixed mindset does a fantastic job of stunting growth in every area of life.

Shakespeare once said “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” This is a very true statement, and it’s time to remove the shackles.

Growth Mindset

This is the mindset where I live now much of the time.

With a growth mindset you aren’t afraid of failure. Failure is another opportunity for growth. The truth is we won’t fail at everything we do, but it’s a good thing to fail. I love the term “fail forward”. When we try something and it doesn’t work we can smile, educate ourselves, and try again.

Think for a moment about people you know and respect who don’t seem to have a care in the world. Many of these people are probably just like most. They have a silent internal battle raging at all times. But, there are others who just seem to live life without a harness. They are fun, successful, and they seem to be aging better:)

Attitude is everything in the growth mindset. Simply decide to be the best you, you can be, not even knowing what that means and go for it!