Mindset matters. It honestly can make or break your ability to achieve everything you desire. Or, prevent you from ever moving forward. Our success starts with us. Our minds, what we tell ourselves and the energy we put out into the universe.
A Harvard study found that when your brain is positive you are three times more creative, 31% more productive, 40% more likely to get a promotion, 37% higher in sales. It’s not rocket science. When we are more positive, we have more energy. Which leads to more opportunity.
So, it seems simple right? Just think more positive right? Well, it can be more complicated if you don’t know what kind of mindset you resonate with. Once we understand what kind of mindset we are currently in, then we can improve and overcome our self-limiting beliefs and values.
LET’S TALK MINDSET TYPES
- The “I’ll be happy when________” mindset. People who struggle with this mindset have the notion that when they achieve a certain weight, promotion, car or physical object that they will be happy. Society has conditioned us to believe that happiness is conditional and/or situational. When in fact, you may achieve that goal and in turn find yourself exactly in the same place. Or the same mindset when you started your journey. Reality, your happiness has to be found every single day, in the same tasks you accomplish to achieve the bigger goals. When you establish a more positive mindset along the way, you in turn become happier, healthier, more positive and will appreciate the achievement of your end game goal so much more.
So how do you overcome this mindset? By creating a happiness routine by removing the belief that your happiness is contingent upon a certain point in your life
- Keep a gratitude journal, add to it everything, write down 5 things that you are grateful for-on your worst days read several pages to reset yourself and your mind
- Movement-YES movement whether that’s a workout, walk or even blasting your fav music move your body
- Meditation start with 5 minutes a day-simple, easy, focused on your breathe
- Perform random acts of kindness-this is such a game changer this time of the year. We focus so much on giving gifts to those in our lives who already have so much. This season, do something for someone in need.
- Read personal development-yes this is such a game changer. If you need recommendations just ask.
- Seek therapy- there is NOTHING wrong with needing help. Having an unbiased opinion is such a beautiful asset.
- Ask for support/surround yourself with positive people-if the people in your life are not happy for your success/where you are going. Why are they in your life?
2. The “I’m too busy mindset.” We all know how bad stress is. Yet, we wear it like a badge of honor. Society has gotten to the point that we compare our stress levels and even try to out do another person as if that’s helping anyone? I’ve thought a lot about this, that maybe it makes people feel more valuable or useful by being able to claim they’re too busy. But reality, stress has a seriously negative impact on your health, energy levels and productivity
Compare when you are stressed vs not. Work is always more productive, easier and even enjoyable when you’re not over extended. Stop letting “Im busy” become your crutch or bs excuse when it comes to your worth and value
So let’s find ways to change this, let’s create new habits and routine to find balance in all areas of your life:
- Ask yourself what can I do about this current situation-do you really need to say “yes” to adding another task on your to do list? Before you say yes to something, ask yourself does serve your goals, needs or desires? If not, work on saying “no” without explanation.
- Practice gratitude daily it transforms your mood, mindset and as a result your health. It also can enable you to see that your overwhelm is actually gratitude for the multiple opportunities you have in your life.
- Create a go to list/routine of activities you can do to de stress like breathing, yoga, affirmations or turning off your phone and being with nature
- Exercise
- Listen to your body and do what it’s asking you for. Whether that’s exercise, water, nutrient dense foods or something you enjoy
3. The “all or nothing” mindset. Have you ever skipped your workout because you couldn’t do an entire hour? Or you threw out your meal plan because you had a pop or some unplanned snacks? This all or nothing mindset is wrecking havoc on your systems, mindset and ability to get results. If you struggle with this mindset, I can bet you struggle with perfectionism because I did. You assume the only way to get results is to crush your workouts, hit your water and get your macros 100%. Which is in fact false.
Letting go of this mindset can be extremely helpful in all areas of your life. Those who have this mindset, most likely have also failed in the past. Thus, creating smaller, attainable goals can help you reset the way you see any goal you seek to achieve. The first goal can be as simple as you added an extra fruit or veggie to your day or you swapped a pop for a glass of water. It’s so simple it’s 100% possible. Doing smaller, more beneficial habits can compound over time to be successful
Let’s talk tangible ways to change:
- Acknowledge it –when you acknowledge a behavior it makes it easier to change/improve. Improving self-awareness can yield not only success but also sanity.
- Why does it feed? Understanding why you have these unrealistic expectations and standards helps to heal. Simply identifying the habits or belief systems that feed your perfectionism is a big step to overcoming it.
- Watch your self talk- As you retrain it’s important to be mindful of the things that you are saying to yourself. Avoid statements like “it has to be perfect” or “everything is riding on this I have to lose this weight” Catch yourself, replace those words with 3-5 positive things about yourself
And bonus tip be super mindful of “just one more” perfectionists and those who struggle with the all or nothing mindset can develop the habit of “just one more rep or workout class” or “just one more day of binging then I’ll go all in tomorrow….”.
Don’t “one day” your life away because of fear, previous failure or setbacks.