Does Mindset Really Matter?

She’s shown that these beliefs affect people’s behaviours and performance, and ultimately whether they achieve their best. 

Fixed Vs Growth

Professor Dweck identifies two mindsets. In a Fixed Mindset you believe your ability is set in stone. This means where you are now will probably predict where you are in the future. In a Growth Mindset you believe your ability can change and grow. This means it’s impossible to predict what you or someone else could achieve.

‘In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.’ – Professor Dweck

In reality, we are neither one nor the other. Instead, we’re largely a mixture of the two. The secret is to become aware of our mindset and gravitate towards growth.

How to Boost Your Mindset

Now we’ve established mindset is something worth working on, where do you start? Here are a few simple tips:

Check-in with your thoughts. They have the power to create feelings which can lead to actions and behaviours that determine whether a day goes well. Learning that we can choose our thoughts is one of the most positive things we can do. Journaling is a great way to do this and something I rely on a lot. Writing things down makes it easier to be objective about our thoughts and even challenge some of the more negative ones.

Write a daily gratitude list. While you’re putting pen to paper, why not note down a few things you’re grateful for? According to research, keeping a gratitude journal contributes to a positive attitude and makes us feel better. It can also improve sleep and even strengthen the immune system.

Learn from mistakes. Every loss can be a win if we let it. When things go wrong, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, focus on analysing what happened. Engage your growth mindset, determine what you can do differently and move forward. The truth is failure plays a big part in success.

‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.’ — Maya Angelou

Practice positive self-talk. Self-talk is the stream of unspoken thoughts running through your head. If you want to create a more optimistic outlook, positive thoughts are key. Encourage yourself, compliment yourself and reward yourself for every little win. Make sure your internal monologue is a kind one. Would you say that to a friend? If not, don’t say it to yourself. You can even try saying positive affirmations out loud to yourself in front of a mirror. It might feel like a strange thing to do, but it helps to hear yourself speaking kindly.

Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparison can be a real mindset basher! Although seeking out inspiration and ideas can be a positive thing, it’s important you stay focused on the goals and aspirations you have for YOUR business. Try not to be distracted or disheartened by what others are doing or appear to be doing. Discover more ways to deal with this common problem in my blog post about the distraction of comparison.

If you do one thing this week….

Think about your own mindset, particularly in relation to your business. Does it feel fixed or are you open to growth? What could you do to improve your mindset? Set some intentions and check in with your progress a few weeks later. Have you noticed a difference?

Further Reading/Watching/Listening

• The Power of Believing You Can Improve
• 15 Ways to Build a Growth Mindset
• Fixed Vs Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets that Shape Our Lives

Val