Our gifted minds can shape the world around us more than most of us realize. Our experiences and accomplishments depend on our millions of different mindsets, collectively designed by the way in which we interpret opportunities and adversities, and see ourselves. Whether you’re searching for professional achievement, personal development, or just want to harness the unbeatable odds, energy of a strong mind turns adversities into opportunities and potential into reality. So with innumerate forces constantly working against us, learning to create a successful empowered mind is easily one of the greatest skills you can possess.
A mindset is a set of attitudes and beliefs about how the world works and how we fit into it. Psychologist Carol Dweck was one of the first to define the growth versus fixed mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that talent and intelligence are fixed characteristics and no amount of effort is going to get you better at something. If you have a growth mindset, you realize that everything can be learned and improved given the right amount of practice and perseverance. Small difference in mindsets can account for huge differences in resilience, long term achievement, and motivation. Identifying as a growth mindset allows you to view failure as information instead of as a reflection on your own worth.
The power of having a positive growth mindset cannot be overstated. It can actually lower our stress levels from a physiological perspective. Most importantly, it can cause overall better health as it begins to motivate making healthier lifestyle choices and emotional management. In the work environment, to have a good mindset means eventually demanding things like innovating, being flexible and never giving up or quitting even after failure. Actually, good mindset becomes risk-taking, readiness to accept feedback and persevering even when others have given up. Studies show again and again that the way you think about a situation can make a big difference in how well you do in school sports starting a business, etc. This is like a secret engine that powers some of the greatest accomplishments of history.
So how can we take advantage of this? The first step is becoming self-aware. Begin by listening to the inner voice. Do you typically tell yourself, I can’t do this, or I’m so stupid, I can’t learn that? Change your negative self-talk by saying things like, I haven’t mastered this yet, or I haven’t learned it yet, with this method of sustained effort, I will. Practices like mindfulness meditation, gratitude journaling and intentional goal setting are effective ways of developing mental resilience. Visualization is also a very effective technique for mental preparation as it essentially works as a ‘dress rehearsal’ of the brain for success so that it can be better equipped to deal with obstacles.
The key is consistency. Such a compelling frame of mind isn’t created by attending a single event, but by a daily practice. “Surround yourself with motivating mentors, inspiring literature and communities that continually push you to excel.” Praise yourself for every single step forward as this condition the brain to feel good about effort. ‘When encountered with an obstacle or problem, ask yourself…. ‘What can I learn from this?” more often than you elicit anger and irritation.
There is no shortage of case studies of people who have stumbled upon their passion.Consider professional athlete such as Michael Jordan who was cut from his high school basketball team who then used this experience as motivation to become one of the NBA’s all-time greats.Or entrepreneurs such as Sara Blakely who, running into problem after problem, built her billion-dollar Spanx empire, driven by a powerful conviction that she could succeed with persistent effort. These stories show us that it is not external conditions that really matter, but the private story we decide to buy into.
So building your mindset is just about taking control of your own inner universe. It’s about forging your own story instead of playing a role in someone else’s. In this world of such severe change those who manage their mindsets will flourish while everyone else just survives. Today take one small step e.g. Speak to yourself differently or tackle a problem a different way. Small steps will add up to one great big step change in your future. The power was never outside you. The question now is, whether you will decide to use it.
Writeic.com is a creative platform dedicated to writers, interview, storytellers, and digital creators who want to inspire the world through words. The authors at Writeic share insights on writing, creativity, storytelling, motivation, success story, and content creation to help readers grow their voice and unlock their creative potential.
