Growth Mindset

I want to encourage people to Choose Joy, to know they have options, they can flip the script, they don't have to be stuck. And honestly, potentially, nothing in your life, your circumstances, your situation necessarily has to change... but you do. The first step is deciding that you don't want to be where you are and that will begin opening you up to a world of possibilities.

What is Growth Mindset? - The belief that skill and intelligence is something that people can develop. As opposed to a Fixed Mindset which means you believe that you have it or you don't and everything you can do is all you will ever be able to do. Developing a greater growth mindset generally leads to more fulfillment, contentment, happiness, and success in life - and who doesn't want that!?

In your wildest dreams, if there were no obstacles, if money/time/resources were not a factor, what would you love for your life to look like? Pause. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Spend 60 seconds visualizing your dream life... Open your heart to the abundance the world has to offer. Wherever you are in your life, any age, any education level, any financial situation, you can always dream.

Carol Dweck (who developed the concept of the growth mindset) wrote the book Mindset, she talks a lot about how this is one of the greatest testaments to the growth mindset - seeing obstacles as welcomed challenges to overcome. I broke this into four of my favorite pillars - Joy, Hope, Peace, Love:

Joy: Limitless-ness

• Following your passion
  • Spend time reflecting - what does it look like in your life
  • Pivoting and going with the flow - develop new strategies to overcome setbacks
  • Adapting when necessary - embrace the challenge
  • Learning from Failure - acknowledge that you are disappointed but don't dwell

• Adopting an abundance mindset
  • All that I need, I already have
  • Hard in a material world of instant gratification - We want it all and we want it now, without sacrifice
  • What can I do now with what I already have?
  • What can I attract into my life with just a shift of my mindset?

• Gratitude & Giving
  • Start consciously appreciating what you have, all that you may take for granted
  • What if you woke up tomorrow only with the things you were grateful for today?
  • Spend five minutes a day in silence or by writing it down. Name each specific things you can think of!
  • Acknowledge, congratulate, and celebrate the success of others and their effort and actions

• Manifesting & Affirmations
  • What you focus on expands
  • Mindset is the starting point, but you have to put in the work
  • You have to have faith, without doubting, that good things are coming
  • Don't stop dreaming

Hope - Acknowledging Limiting beliefs

• What is holding you back right now?
  • Age - too old or too young
  • Experience - get education
  • Resources - space, money, time
  • Lack of support - others think you're crazy

• Overcoming
  • Become aware of how you speak, act, think. Flip the script. Catch yourself in negative thinking.
  • Stop seeking approval from others. Find others with similar mindset or inspirational. Accept and embrace criticism.
  • Taking responsibility for your failures and shortcomings. Change your perspective on failure.
  • Let go of what is out of your control
  • Use the word Yet more often

• Movement and Meditation
  • Activate your parasympathetic nervous system to decrease anxiety. Move your body every day.
  • Doing yoga, light stretching, going for a walk, etc. It doesn't have to be extensive but focus on your body.
  • Speed up by slowing down. When you don't know what to do, become as still as possible for as long as possible. Then try again.
  • Sitting in silence, repetitive prayer, meditation, etc. Get quiet and clear your mind. Slow down your racing thoughts.

• Chipping away at goals and dreams
  • Now or never. There will never be a perfect time. Start small. Start Now. Just start.
  • We think that something huge is going to change but many times it is just a million little things overtime
  • Stop every once in a while and reflect on how far you've come
  • Don't give up. Keep going.

Peace - Unattachment

• Not being stuck on an outcome
  • Have an open mind
  • Be open to what is in store for you
  • Be open to opportunities
  • Always be lightly looking for

• Pivot but never give up
  • Have a plan but be prepared to pivot when necessary
  • Acknowledge disappointment or setbacks
  • Feel your true, authentic feelings
  • Come up with another game plan and try again

• If your circumstances don't change, can you still be happy?
  • Change what you can
  • Accept what you can
  • If it's unacceptable, then keep working to change it
  • Don't ever feel stuck

Love - Choose Joy

• Enjoy the journey
  • Love yourself
  • Love your story
  • Love your mistakes
  • Appreciate the good, bad, ugly

• Growth Mindset doesn't mean life will be perfect
  • But you are more likely to see more experiences as a gift
  • Even if you never do anything wonderful or achieve greatness
  • You will generally have greater life satisfaction
  • Mindset is the key to success, growth, and happiness

• Let it go
  • Release your grip
  • Release control
  • Open your mind and your heart
  • Enjoy the ride

And of course, always remember: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Let me know what you think! I would love to hear about how you view or have experienced growth mindset in your life!

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