This. changed. my. life. Today we will be talking all about your mindset and how to enforce one that is healthy and beneficial.
Your mind is a powerful thing, what you tell it either allows for great change or prevents it from happening. Discovered by Carol Dweck through her research, there are two types of mindsets- a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Everyone falls under one category, so ask yourself "What type of mindset do I have?" Exercise your brain- the more you use it, the stronger it becomes!
Fixed Mindset
Those with a fixed mindset believe that whatever ability they have is all they can ever attain and their success is a direct affirmation of that inherent capacity. They see failures as the end and something to be shameful of- thus avoiding any challenges in fear of failing. Ultimately, they believe that they are not the ones in control of their abilities and can never improve themselves. They are quick to label their struggles and give into self-doubt which restricts important skill development and growth.
Abandoning a fixed mindset can be accomplished by changing your thought processes and how you react in difficult situations.
Instead of...Say This
"I'm not good at this" --> "What am I missing?"
"I give up" --> "Let me try another way"
"I can't make this any better" --> "I can always improve so I'll keep trying"
"I just can't do this" --> "I am going to train my brain to be able to do this"
"This is too hard" --> "This may require more time and effort than I thought"
Growth Mindset
Those with a growth mindset challenge their thinking and believe that they always have the ability to learn and grow. They see failure and mistakes as things to learn from, rather than the end and they strongly believe that they are in control of their abilities. To them, it's not just about the end destination but about each part of the journey and how they can better themselves during the process.
How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset
- Believe change is achievable
- Embrace challenges
- Learn from others, instead of comparing yourself
- Look for where you can improve
- Ask questions when you are unsure
- Focus on your effort, not the result
- Try a new approach when an initial one doesn't work
- View failure as an opportunity to grow
- Persist; keep working towards your goals, especially when it gets difficult
- Learn from your past mistakes
- Appreciate all progress, even little progress! This is a strong attestation of an inclination to learn and grow
What to Tell Your Brain to Coach a Growth Mindset
"Getting better takes time and I see you improving"
"I appreciate how hard you worked today"
"It's okay to take risks, that's how we learn"
"This will be challenging to learn, but I believe you can master it"
Keep a growth mindset. Stop thinking you can't change, intelligence is always subject to change and you can become smarter or better anytime you choose to. Life gets hard but you get stronger. Learn from the bad times and grow in every aspect of life. And remember consistency is key- you cannot switch your mindset in a day which is why practice is so essential.