Mindset

This past weekend I made a decision to change a part of my life. Nothing too big or drastic, just to increase my fitness level.  Every day since Monday, I have swum one mile in the pool. It is a good starting place for me but it has brought an unexpected addition. In that time when I am swimming, I have time to think; to think about anything, everything, or nothing at all. 

Because of all of this thinking and reading a book to follow, I have discovered an idea. This idea centers around mindset. Let’s say there are two different mindsets we naturally fall into: fixed mindset and growth mindset.

Fixed mindset revolves around the fact that people are born with certain talents and traits and those aspects are fixed. The concept of a “natural” in sports or the question do people exist who are born great leaders, athletes, business moguls, etc.?? Was Michael Jordan always destined to be great at sports? How about Tiger Woods? Always of these questions revolves around a fixed mindset.

Then there is the growth mindset. Growth mindset revolves around the fact that no matter what talents and traits you have, hard work can always improve them. Not only does a growth mindset allow you to make changes in your career or relationships, it allows you to see setbacks and failures in a different light. If you made a 60% on a test, would you let it bother you or just consider it a learning experience? If a relationship went sour, would you immediately assign blame or figure it out what went wrong and learn from it? How about being funny or charming or understanding, can you improve these aspects of yourself? Growth mindset revolves around this fact that no matter what traits or talents you have, with hard work you can always learn, improve, and grow.

One person is rarely one or the other, they can see certain parts of their life in different ways. Plus, please do not misunderstand me, no matter what mindset you adopt, a setback in your life can be painful. The point is not to let the setback or pain DEFINE you. How many of you have thought “I suck at math” after doing bad on a math test or felt broken after being hurt in a relationship? You failed a test...so you thought you were a failure. No matter who you are, I guarantee there is something you excel at and guess what? Even THAT can be improved!

So here’s to changing my mindset! To slowly making the changes so I can always be learning and growing, succeeding in life where I see fit! 

So no matter what you want to accomplish in life or even what experiences come your way, always make sure to ask yourself:

What’s my mindset today?