MINDSET - How can I change my mindset?

Most people think that exploring or changing one’s mindset is a complete waste of time and energy. Sadly these people don’t realize that our mindset determines the way we interpret the environment around us; our mindset can provide us with the necessary motivation and inspiration to achieve our goals or it can lead us directly to failure.

Fixed mindset

These people believe their skills, traits and personality are pre-determined by the genes. You can’t change them - you are either creative or not; talented or not; intelligent or stupid. As you may be figuring out by now, having a fixed mindset limits your possibilities of development. These people live in a prison cell of their own mind; they see the things around them as either black or white. They fail to understand that people can change through hard, persistent work and multiple fails. But, let’s clarify things a little bit:

·         People with fixed mindset don’t want to start something very hard, because a possible failure will make them look stupid.

·         People with fixed mindset don’t try new techniques, because they don’t want to end up creating something that doesn’t work.

·         People with fixed mindset don’t take business risks, because they can’t face a failure.

Growth Mindset

Does “Practice makes perfect” ring any bells? Having a growth mindset means that you believe that factors like experience, hard-work, practice and persistence count for more that genetics.

·         People with growth mindset can actually increase their intelligence, because they are not afraid to take on tougher tasks and challenges. Yes, they may fail the first couple of time, but eventually they will make it.

·         These people don’t care that much about failure, because they are able to take the most of it, learn from their mistakes.

·         People with growth mindset can increase their creativity, because they try out new techniques. Even if the outcome is something that doesn’t work, they will understand and learn from their mistakes.

·         The best business professionals are people with growth mindsets, because they take risks and know how to benefit from a possible failure.

Now, stop for a minute and think about what you have just read. What kind of mindset do you think you have? Which mindset do you think is better for you?

Is it possible to change my mindset and how?

If you are one of the people that are thinking by now: “Oh my god! I have been a prisoner of my own mindset for all these years!!”, then we have a couple of good news for you.

·         You can change your mindset very quickly, because our brain is one of the most powerful things in the world.

·         It is never too late to change your mindset. Don’t spend an eternity whining about your mindset, but act!

Now, let’s get to it! You don’t need expensive therapists or drugs, all you have to do is start using your brain.

Hear your fixed mindset.

When your fixed mindset is talking, learn to recognize it. It can start whispering at various different occasions.

·         When you have to decide whether to take a challenge or not. “Are you really sure you can do it? You don’t have the necessary talent! And what if you fail? Just imagine how people are going to look at you then - a failure! You better walk away, this way you will save your dignity”

·         When you are facing difficulties. “You would have done this easily if you had talent! It is not your fault, you just don’t have it in you. Now you will have to make an excuse so that you can save some dignity!”

·         When someone is criticizing you. You will most likely get angry at the person, even if he/she is just sharing a honest opinion. This time the fixed mindset voice is trying to make you run away from responsibility - “It is not your fault, it was .... hmmm....this or that, but not you! Who the hell do they think they are, just standing there and criticizing me?” Or you might start to feel disappointed and insecure.

In the beginning you can’t control whether you hear this voice or not. However, you decide how to interpret it, there are two possible ways: the fixed or growth way. If you use the fixed way, you will understand the voice as s sign that you lack intelligence or talent. However, if you use the growth way, you will realize that you have to expand your knowledge, abilities and effort.

Respond to your fixed mindset voice.

Now, let’s dissect the possible dialog between you and your fixed mindset voice.

·         When you hit a challenge. “I don’t if I will be able to do it straight away, but it is worth the time and effort. I’m not afraid to fail, because every successful person has failed; success cannot come instantly. If I run away now, I fail by default, so how will that save my dignity?”

·         When difficulties come. “No! No one was born a scientist or a professional basketball player or a CEO of a fortune 500 company! Every single one of the most successful people has worked hard to succeed. Why do I have to make excuses? Using silly excuses will make people laugh at me, not failure!”

·         When you are being criticized. “I have to take responsibility for my own actions, this is the only way I can really benefit from this situation. I have to remain open for all sorts of criticism, because I am not almighty and some people might actually be right.”

Once you manage to shut the “mouth” of your fixed mindset voice, you are ready to make the final step. This step will come naturally, because at some point you will stop hearing your fixed voice and go on with the growth only. If you find yourself in a situation, one day, and you handle it without even noticing a fixed mindset voice, then you have done it! Congrats! Now you are ready to take on more complex challenges and develop more efficiently.

However, we would like to point something out. Having talent or aptitude is nothing close to useless. As you already know, there are exceptions to any rules and this one doesn’t make a difference. It is highly unlikeable to become a successful singer, if you can’t sing. This is one of those things that you just can’t learn, you are born with it. The same goes for the most successful leaders, these people have it in their genes. Notice that we say highly unlikeable, not impossible!