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. What makes some people push through and others give up? I can give you the answer in one word: Mindset.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

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

• 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.

How to Change Your Mindset

• Change the messages you routinely give yourself – our thoughts shape our reality. Make your thoughts strong and positive.
• Never stop learning – read books, sign up for coaching, watch webinars, go to meetings, connect with people, take courses.
• 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.
• Get uncomfortable – if you're not doing something that makes you uncomfortable at least a few times a week, you're not growing. Stretch yourself.
• Get moving – regular exercise recharges your body and brain.
• Go outside – natural light and green plants renew and refresh us.

Remember that our mindsets aren't set in stone — we can change them. And when we do, we can get awesome, amazing and incredible results!