Everything that you do (or don’t do) has to do with your mindset. Think positively and have a can-do attitude, and the world will reward you. Think negatively and give up on yourself and the world will throw lemons at you (and you don’t want that).
Because mindset is so critical, we have to do our best to ensure that we are developing a growth mindset. A growth mindset involves having a more positive attitude towards bad situations and setbacks. Someone with a growth mindset knows that they have to work hard and fail multiple times before they succeed. Someone with a more fixed mindset often believes that you are either successful or not, and that it has to do more with natural talent (that’s not typically how it goes).
The truth is that you have to practice and try very hard in order to be successful at anything in life. I know that by working with clients, students, and leaders. So, if you feel that you don’t currently have a growth mindset, what can you do to cultivate one?
Here are a few tips:
- Train yourself to look at the bright side of every situation. Ask yourself what you learned and what you can do better the next time.
- Always have a Plan B, C, D, E or F. If you understand that you might have to do something a number of times before becoming successful, you are more likely to deal with any setbacks much better.
- Come up with a plan for how you are going to achieve your goals. Make it a multi-step, multi-part plan that allows for some wiggle room. You’ll get there eventually.
- Research some successful individuals that you admire. Learn about their many failures before their current achievements so that you have a better understanding of what it takes to make it happen. You can do the same!
- Learn to identify any negative internal dialogue and begin talking to yourself in a more positive way. You deserve it.
- Refrain from beating yourself up. No one, absolutely no one, is perfect. Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard.
- Keep learning new skills (taking courses, watching videos, reading books, and teaching yourself).
- Listen to others and ask a lot of questions. You can learn something from everyone (yes, everyone) that you come into contact with.