How to Change Your Mindset
"Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it" - Steve Maraboli
Now that we have covered what mindset is, why it is important and the types of mindsets, let's talk about how we change our mindset. Before we venture into this territory, let's answer the crucial question:
Should I even bother to change my mindset?
This is a great question and if you do not know WHY you are doing something, in this case changing your mindset, then you will likely lose your motivation to do the work to change your mindset. So, why would you change your mindset? Here are some possible reasons:
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Be more successful. People with a growth mindset are more likely to achieve their goals. They're not afraid to take risks and challenge themselves. They're also more likely to learn from their mistakes and keep moving forward.
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Be more resilient. People with a growth mindset are better able to deal with setbacks and challenges. They don't give up easily. They see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
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Be happier. People with a growth mindset are more likely to be happy with their lives. They're more likely to focus on the positive and appreciate the good things in their lives.
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Be healthier. People with a growth mindset are more likely to take care of their health. They're more likely to eat healthy foods, get enough exercise, and get enough sleep.
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Have better relationships. People with a growth mindset are more likely to have positive relationships. They're more likely to be supportive, understanding, and forgiving.
This is just a few examples of why you should change your mindset. Your reason may not even be on this list, but you realize you want to make a change in your mindset. Get clarity on why you want to change your mindset before you begin or you will find yourself quitting the race. And I do not want to see that. I want to see you live to your fullest potential!
So, pause here and take 5 minutes to write down why you want to change your mindset.
Okay! Did you complete the exercise? Do you know why you want to change your mindset? Good! Let's now move forward and address how you change your mindset.
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Be aware of your thoughts. The first step to changing your mindset is to become aware of your thoughts. Pay attention to the things you say to yourself, both positive and negative. Once you're aware of your thoughts, you can start to challenge them.
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Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have a negative thought, ask yourself if it's really true. Are you making a blanket statement about yourself or your abilities? Are you catastrophizing or assuming the worst? Once you've challenged your negative thought, you can replace it with a more positive one.
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Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? When you focus on your strengths, you'll feel more confident and capable.
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Set challenging goals. When you set challenging goals, you're forced to stretch yourself and learn new things. This can help you develop a more growth-oriented mindset. When you achieve your goals, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
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Be persistent. When you face challenges, don't give up. Persevere and keep working towards your goals. This will help you build resilience and a growth mindset.
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Surround yourself with positive people. The people you spend time with have a big impact on your mindset. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your ability to achieve your goals.
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Practice gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can help you shift your mindset from negative to positive. Take some time each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. This can help you appreciate the good in your life and focus on the positive.
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Take care of yourself. When you're taking care of yourself, you're better able to handle stress and challenges. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.
Changing your mindset takes time and effort, but it's worth it.
Changing your mindset is simple, but it is not easy. This is true of most of life. Success is simple. Growth is simple. Change is simple. Health is easy. But none of it is easy. It takes time, energy and dedication to change your mindset. While you will notice changes quickly, it will not happen overnight. You created habits and neural circuits with your current mindset. It takes time to rewire those circuits. It takes effort to go from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
But do not give up. Do not lose hope. You can change your mindset. You can decide the mindset you want and create it. I have this saying, "create the life you want or settle for the life you are given." The same goes with my mindset. I can create the mindset I want or settle for the one I am given. But if I settle, I have no one to blame or complain to because I am the one responsible. So, if I am responsible then I choose to create the mindset that will help me achieve my goals and dreams.
And you can too! Dream big and decide on the mindset you want and then take small action every day to create the mindset you desire. Creating the mindset you want will help you achieve your goals, overcome challenges, and live a more fulfilling life.
