Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Life

Have you ever tried to do something – that you really wanted to do – but had trouble getting it accomplished? Maybe unexpected obstacles popped up, or the timing was wrong, or it was just harder than you expected.

If any of those things happened you might have responded like the great majority of people do in that situation – you quit trying. You give up. You decide it wasn’t worth the effort after all.

You might, however, have chosen to react differently. Maybe you:

Dug in and just kept going
Refocused and came up with a different strategy
Asked for help and got some additional insight
Just-refused-to-give-up!

Have you ever wondered what makes some people react like the first group of people and others like the second? I can give you the answer in one word. Mindset.

Athletes deal with this all the time. They’re constantly having to change their mindset so they can keep moving forward. They realize that the results they get in their particular sport are directly related to the messages they give themselves.

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck maintains that our mindset plays a critical role in determining success and achievement. There are 2 types of mindset:

Fixed mindset – these people believe that qualities such as talent and intelligence are inborn, fixed and unchangeable. So nothing much you do will make much of a difference.
Growth mindset – this viewpoint holds that the above qualities can be developed and strengthened by hard work, determination and commitment. People with this mindset are confident that they can change and have some control over their situation.

So if you have a fixed mindset how do you change it? Or how do you keep strengthening your growth mindset? It can be done and here are some pointers to get you moving in the right direction.

Change the messages you routinely give yourself – sometimes called your self-talk. Believe it or not, our thoughts shape our reality. So make your thoughts strong and positive. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Never stop learning – read books, sign up for coaching, watch webinars, go to meetings, connect with people, take courses, (try hypnosis!) etc.
Find people with positive, successful mindsets and hang around with them. After a while some of their thinking will rub off on you.
Try new things – if you keep doing things the same way, you’ll keep getting the same results. Don’t be afraid to switch things up.
Get uncomfortable – I’ve become convinced that if I’m not doing something that makes me uncomfortable at least a few times a week, I’m not growing. Stretch yourself.
Get moving – regular exercise recharges your body and brain. So get up off your couch and move!
Go outside – there’s something about natural light and green plants that renews and refreshes us. If you’ve been inside all day go for a walk when you get home. Bonus – walk with your family and reconnect at the same time!