What's All the Fuss About Mindset?
You may have heard the term "mindset" bandied about, especially if you're into topics like personal growth or self-improvement. But what is it really? Mindset isn't just about being positive or negative; it's the set of beliefs you hold about yourself, your abilities, and the world around you. Think of it as your mental lens that filters your experiences and shapes your reactions. Whether you're choosing a snack, taking on a new project at work, or deciding to speak up in a relationship, your mindset is always at play.
This is the third article I’ve written about mindset, you can check out the first two here:
https://www.coachingwithtom.com/post/an-outstanding-mindset-it-really-does-create-results
https://www.coachingwithtom.com/post/gettingto-yes-cultivating-a-new-mindset-of-possibility
More Than Just Fixed or Growth
While the concept of a "fixed" vs. "growth" mindset made famous by Carol Dweck has gained a lot of attention, mindset is much broader than just these two categories. Your mindset can be influenced by your upbringing, cultural background, experiences, and even your mood on a given day. But for simplicity's sake, let's focus on the fixed and growth mindsets as a starting point to understand how we can actively shape our mindset to align with what we want in life.
Why Mindset Matters
Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it. Steve Maraboli
Everyday Interactions
Imagine you're someone who hates confrontations. By recognizing this, you can work on developing a mindset that equips you to handle difficult conversations with grace and assertiveness, rather than avoidance or aggression.
Long-Term Goals
Whether you're eyeing a career change, aiming to improve your relationships, or setting any other long-term goal, your mindset will heavily influence your journey. It will either propel you forward or hold you back, depending on how much it aligns with your aspirations.
How to Craft Your Mindset for Success
What Do You Really Want? - This might sound straightforward, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this step. Knowing what you want, even if it's as simple as "I don't want to dread confrontations," gives you a benchmark for shaping your mindset. You can go one step further and figure out what you do want instead. For example "I want to be excited by the possibilities and new learning that can come from confrontations".
Self-Awareness is Key - Before you can change anything, you need to know what you're dealing with. Keep an eye on how you react to different situations. What are your triggers? What are the thought patterns that hold you back or propel you forward? Once you've got a good handle on these, you can start making intentional changes to your thought patterns.
Tackle Your Doubts - Let's face it, we've all got those nagging thoughts that tell us we can't do something. The trick is not to ignore them, but to confront them head-on. Ask yourself, "Why do I believe this?" or "What evidence do I have that this is true?" More often than not, you'll find these thoughts are based on old experiences or beliefs that no longer serve you.
Be Open to Learning - Don't shy away from feedback or constructive criticism. Take it as a chance to learn and grow. If you want to improve, you need to know what's working and what's not. So listen up, make adjustments, and keep moving.
Building Resilience - Life's going to throw some curveballs your way. But if you've got a resilient mindset, you can take them in stride. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, look at them as learning experiences. What can you do better next time? What can you learn from this?
Conclusion
Mindset is a powerful tool that influences every facet of our lives. And the good news is, it's not set in stone; it's something we can change. By understanding the different aspects of mindset and taking active steps to shape it, you can get more of what you want in life—whether it's avoiding unnecessary confrontations or reaching for the stars.
Ready to take control of your mindset? The journey might require some work, but the benefits will be well worth the effort. Get in touch if you want to explore your mindset or any other aspect of your personal or professional life.