A word that I have been saying to myself lately and frequently using with my clients is “Mindset”. Were you ever told as a kid that you could do anything if you just put your mind to it? Well that statement often left me confused, frustrated and got me nowhere. If I knew about and understood what a “Growth” mindset was, I would have been more apt to believe in myself and develop my abilities.
According to Carol. S. Dweck, PhD, the author of “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”, there are two types of mindsets – Fixed and Growth. A fixed mindset stands in the way of development and change. A growth mindset is a starting point for change and can cause a big shift in the way people think about themselves and their lives.
A growth mindset is about believing people can develop their abilities and is useful when you have something you need to do, something you want to learn or perhaps a problem you have to confront. What do you do next? – you make a concrete plan. When will you follow through on your plan? Where will you do it? How will you do it? Now it is time to visualize your plan.
Mindset change is about seeing things in a new way and often leads to higher levels of follow-through, increasing your chances of success. Take a look at your plan for success and ask yourself this question:
What are the opportunities for learning and growth today for myself and the people around me?
After you have given yourself time to think about that question, think about these next three questions:
When, where and how will I embark on my plan?
When, where and how will I act on my plan?
What do I have to do to maintain and continue the growth?
Change can be tough and sometimes it is easier to stay stuck in a fixed mindset. After all, it is easier and a much more comfortable place for you – or is it? I challenge you to maintain a growth mindset so when you are faced with a problem, opportunity or goal, you may be surprised by the process, the outcomes and your growth.
