Mindset refers to a set of beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives that shape an individual’s thinking, behavior, and response to different situations. In our Coaching sessions, you will find out exactly what your true beliefs; values and rules are. They shape the lens through which you perceive the world and interpret your experiences. Mindset plays a crucial role in determining how you approach challenges, handle setbacks, pursue goals, and ultimately achieve success or personal growth.
There are various types of mindsets, but two prominent ones are the growth and the fixed mindset, which were popularized by psychologist Carol S. Dweck.
- Growth mindset: People with a growth mindset believe that their abilities, intelligence, and skills can be developed and improved through effort, perseverance, and learning. They see challenges as opportunities for growth and embrace failures as steppingstones to success. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to be more resilient, motivated, and open to learning from their mistakes.
- Fixed mindset: On the other hand, individuals with a fixed mindset believe that their qualities, talents, and intelligence are fixed traits and cannot be significantly changed or developed. They tend to avoid challenges to protect their self-image and fear failure as a reflection of their inherent limitations. This mindset can limit personal growth and hinder one’s ability to embrace new opportunities.
It’s important to note that mindset is not a fixed characteristic and can be changed or developed over time with awareness, effort, and practice. Cultivating a growth mindset can lead to greater resilience, achievement, and personal development.
By recognizing the power of mindset, you can consciously work towards adopting more empowering beliefs and attitudes that support your goals and well-being and at the same time enjoy your life to the fullest in a healthier way.
Here are 5 steps to help you improve your mindset:
1. Active Lifestyle
Include a some form of exercise in your routine. When you exercise, your body releases two chemicals that will make you feel good about yourself called endorphins and serotonin.
Endorphins are chemicals (hormones) your body releases when it feels exertion, pain or stress. They’re released during pleasurable activities such as exercise, massage, and eating. Endorphins help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve your sense of well-being. You will have more energy too.
Serotonin plays a role in many of your body’s functions. As for your mood; Serotonin in your brain regulates your mood. It’s often called your body’s natural “feel good” chemical. When serotonin is at normal levels; you feel more focused; emotionally stable; happier and calmer.
Run, walk, swim or just do some form of exercise that you are comfortable with to trigger these hormones. I love to take my doggies for a walk. That is my happy pill.
2. Healthy Eating
Having a healthy eating plan will also help your body and mindset. Food can make us feel great if eating healthily or can make us feel depressed when eating the wrong food, for example: deep-fried food; drinking excessive alcohol and having takeaways every day. We need to be careful what we take into our bodies.
Drink lots of water as it helps to clean your gut and detox your liver. It will also give you energy and glowing skin. Try eating fresh fruit and veggies with chicken or fish at least 3 times a week.
3. Meditate
Simply put, meditation is attention training. Try to take at least 10 – 30 minutes a day to meditate before starting your day. Waking up to the light pouring through the window and taking a moment to enjoy the sun rise is the perfect way to start your day, instead of grabbing your phone the second you wake up.
If you find yourself seemingly addicted to this compact piece of technology; you may be missing out on a certain sense of fulfillment we all crave. Fortunately, change is possible.
Instead of reaching for your phone. give yourself time to think about how you are feeling today. Give yourself a moment to pause and reflect. Asking yourself positive questions will help train your mind healthy thinking patterns. What helps me is taking time to be still, pray and doing Bible study while playing Christian music in the background. These activities give me hope and confidence to face daily challenges.
4. Nature
Think about the last time you were in nature and how did you feel about being there? What did you experience? I close my eyes and think about swimming in the ocean. My favorite place to be. But I don’t live by the sea. I found a park where I can take my doggies for a walk so we can do our exercises together. I love to cycle as well. Oh, it is so lovely to be in nature. Listening to the bird walking barefoot on the grass. just puts a smile on my face. Looking up into the blue sky and seeing the clouds! Have you ever made a picture out of the clouds? Try that next time you are out and about.
5. End Mindless Internet Browsing
Do you whip out your cell phone every chance you get? You’re not alone. Research studies show nearly 62% of people use their cell phones to pass the time while waiting.
But the problem with the tendency to spend your spare time browsing through your emails or checking in on social media is that this act quickly transforms from minutes into hours spent looking at your phone.
Try to replace these everyday moments of inactivity with mindfulness rather than phone use. For example, when you’re in a line at the café, strike up a conversation with a stranger or if you’re waiting for your partner to get ready for your date tonight, take your dog for a quick walk around the park instead.
You’ll found if you interact with the world around you rather than turning your attention towards your phone, you will gradually find you’re happier with putting devices in your pocket. Look around you and you will see how many people are glued to their phones instead of seeing the beauty of the world around us: the blue sky above or the bird that just flew by. It may make you smile. Refresh your mind with the good things around you. Don’t let social media rule your life. Take control of your life.
As a Coach, I believe in a positive mindset and not letting things get you down. But it is important to maintain a balance. Give yourself me time to keep your mindset into the right place.