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We have all experienced that inner critic holding us back. That voice that tells us that we are not good enough, that we will fail and that we have to give up.
This is a normal part of being human. But as you enter a new year, don’t let those fears hold you back. You can become your own greatest advocate. You can reframe your internal voice into one that supports you and a greater vision for your career and your life.
Here are four ways to use a growth mindset to support you in getting where you really want to be while embracing the journey and the inevitable ups and downs along the way.
1. Clarify what is important to you
Life can be busy, and sometimes you find yourself just going through the motions, disconnected from the bigger picture and your personal mission. When was the last time you thought about where you are in your life and whether you are on a path that fulfills you? Give yourself permission to check in with yourself and make it a priority to do this regularly. Ask yourself: what are the most important things to you? Watch how you spend your time. Do you turn the moments in your life into high-quality moments? Once you have these things clear, you will know where to focus your time and energy for maximum happiness and satisfaction.
Related: If you want to succeed, you need to correct your mindset
2. Create habits that fuel your happiness and success
Sometimes your daily patterns and habits can fuel a discouraging mindset and stress. Something as simple as grabbing your phone right after waking up to check your messages and notifications can leave you in a reactive and stressed state all day long. Get through your workday without taking breaks. Lack of exposure to sunlight and the outdoors. Bad eating habits and minimal exercise. These are all things that can put a strain on your body and mind. The good news is that once you become aware of your personal habits and patterns, you can take a new approach. You are not stuck with behavior that does not serve you. Building awareness and then making small changes can help you feel your best at home and at work. What is a new healthy behavior that you are excited about that you can start today?
Related: Understanding the growth mindset
3. Try framing again
Your mind is a very powerful tool that can support or hinder your success and happiness. There are always multiple ways to perceive and interpret events and experiences in your life and multiple ways to respond to what life throws at you. When you embrace a growth mindset, you choose to view challenges as opportunities for growth. You look at things with a sense of curiosity and novelty. I like to ask myself, how can I see this in a way that is empowering for me? So instead of fueling a limiting belief like, I’m not good enough, you could rephrase this to I’m still learning and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far. Embracing a growth mindset also requires self-compassion, so don’t forget to be kind to yourself along the way and show yourself the love and grace you deserve and need.
4. Set low-threshold goals and celebrate daily wins
Setting big goals is great, but they take time, persistence, and patience. Without daily motivation and encouragement, it can be challenging to keep them up for the long haul. This is one of the reasons why setting smaller and more accessible goals every day can help you achieve success. These bite-sized goals will take you one step closer to your bigger vision for your life. And enjoy the journey and give yourself the positive reinforcement you need to feel your best and stay motivated.
Imagine someone who never runs says they want to run a marathon. If they just focused on that marathon, they would probably feel overwhelmed and not really take the necessary steps to reach that end goal. Instead, if they break that bigger goal into smaller goals, like, for week one I’m going to run a mile on Monday and Friday. Then build from there. They would have more accessible steps that would give them positive reinforcement that would move them in the right direction. What are some meaningful big goals you have that you can break down into bite-sized pieces that you can start today?
Related: 6 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset
Embracing a growth mindset isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. But with awareness, intention, and action, you can support your body and mind to feel your best as you move towards your version of success in 2023 and beyond.
Disclaimer: This content represents the opinion of the author only and is not medical advice or treatment recommendations. Always talk to your healthcare provider about recommendations specific to you.
