Our mindset plays a pivotal role in determining achievement, well-being, and ultimate success. What you believe about yourself, your abilities, how your body is designed, and what you can do has a significant impact on your trajectory in life. One of my favorite quotes articulates this well, “A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”― James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
Understanding Our Modern Mindset
We live in an increasingly more reliant world where personal responsibility has taken a back seat, and fear has supplanted a deeper ownership. Our tendencies have shifted towards a more fixed view of our abilities to manage adversity, defend against a pandemic, achieve change in our political divisions, find equality among us, and the list goes on. Certainly, there are deep issues and genuine wounds in relation to our current economic, social, cultural, health, and political environment. However, I remain steadfast in a respect for the truth in how we can rewire ourselves with deliberate and focused effort.
What is a Mindset?
A “mindset” refers to whether you believe qualities such as intelligence and talent are fixed or changeable traits. People with a fixed mindset tend towards a belief that these qualities are inborn and unchangeable, while those with a growth mindset believe these traits are developed and strengthened through commitment, education, emotional fortitude, the people / “voices” they surround themselves with, and actual hard work.
Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets
Your mindset plays a critical role in how you cope with adversity, today’s rapid rates of change, and how you approach challenges. Growth mindsets contribute to greater resiliency, adaptability, deeper understanding, better health, and quicker recoveries. They are more likely to persevere in the face of setbacks, while those with fixed mindsets are more liable to give up. Growth mindsets thrive on discovery and a penchant for learning. Failure is approached as a refining mechanism instead of a defining mechanism.
Characteristics of a Fixed Mindset
Fixed mindsets tend to create a need for approval, requiring validation of their intelligence, character, actions, or definition of success. Every situation is evaluated based on acceptance, failure, rejection, or a feeling. Failure defines them; therefore, any risk is not undertaken, and deeper analysis is not contemplated.
Common Sources of Fixed Mindsets
Fixed mindsets form early on, can be carried down from generations, and are further exacerbated through experiences. Think about all of the modern ways in which we, as leaders and parents, perpetuate such fixed mindsets:
Proliferation of standardized testing in our schools, which encourages rote and more mechanical memorization as opposed to stimulation of critical thinking skills.
Big pharma growth providing a “magic pill” for every symptom absent objective analysis for root causation.
Perpetuating a narrative that our genes pre-determine health outcomes and that we do not have control of our bodies or minds.
Distancing youth from the realities of managing their finances, giving them credit cards and overdraft protection without a solid understanding of financial management.
Lack of transparency in companies and limited educational opportunities that provide pathways for employees to grow their understanding of fundamental concepts of cash flow, investments, economics, and operations.
Growth of social media and closed-loop networks where perspectives are limited and often closed.
An increasingly judgmental society where people fear not living up to expectations.
An exclusive focus on results instead of the process, without praising the effort.
Shifting Towards a Growth Mindset
We need to lean into the current adversity and division and re-engage in exploration, embrace new experiences, enjoy challenges, and encourage diversity. While we may not all be able to become anyone we wish to be, we ALL have the ability and obligation to explore the fullness of our potential. Imagine a world where we all accept that we have choice, individual power, a larger potential, and an ability to grow the greater good.
Embracing Personal Accountability
This world doesn’t require big government, big pharma, big business, or a domineering parent. Imagine a world where personal accountability reigns, where awareness of our potential is unlocked, and minds are freed. Stop wasting the enormity of your power—the World needs you.
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