Feeling Stuck? Check Your Mindset.
You know that sinking feeling when things aren’t going your way? It doesn’t matter how talented and smart we are, we all hit snags once in a while, and unfavorable winds set us off course. We all experience setbacks like failing a test, getting turned down for a promotion, or not being able to make the right decision at a critical time. In that moment we feel despair, and we take a deep breath, sink into our chair, and contemplate giving up or waiting until our luck turns around.
However, here is the truth.
Although external factors play a big part in causing setbacks, our current situation is largely a reflection of our self-perception. Self-perception is a huge piece of the puzzle that is generally overlooked when we analyze our place in our life and career, and it can be defined as either a fixed or growth mindset. These mindsets ultimately govern how successful we are in a given situation.
Our attitude toward our abilities in the face of challenges determines how we see everything around us. This has a direct link to our ability to expand beyond our comfort zones and realize our goals. A person with a growth mindset will look at a difficult situation as an opportunity to learn and move past fear of failure. Conversely, someone with a fixed mindset interprets a setback as a direct response to their unchangeable talents.
In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, author Carol Dweck explains that mindsets are “a set of powerful beliefs used to judge and estimate our ability and performance.” Entering a mindset is like entering a new realm, and people with a fixed mindset undervalue challenges and their ability to overcome them (“why can’t I get anything right?”). On the other hand, in a growth mindset, failure doesn’t define you because it’s an opportunity to learn. People with this mindset seek challenges and thrive on them.
Many of our favorite artists, athletes, and celebrities overcame numerous obstacles before they made it to the top. Jay-Z, Jim Carrey, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jordan didn’t rely solely on natural talent to break through challenges. It was ultimately their desire to change the meaning of failure. Jordan worked harder than the rest of his team, practicing his shots for hours until he was the last man on the court.
The good news is that mindsets can be changed! Here’s a few tips to get started:
1- Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound) goals. Research by the University of Scranton shows that 92% of people don’t attain their goals, and having a systematic approach could help those odds.
2- Daily affirmations (“I can do it”) help keep negative thoughts at bay, cultivate positive thoughts, and build momentum to move forward in the face of challenges and difficulties.
3- Take stock of those around you. Do they criticize you negatively and put you down at every turn? If the answer is yes, seek positive people who can uplift you and challenge you to do better. Motivational speaker Les Brown said, “if you are the smartest person in your group, then you need a new group.”
4- Three words: Persistence, persistence, persistence. Very few of us make it the first time around. Failure can be a great teacher when we view it as such. Analyze what worked and didn’t work the first time, and swing back around for a second attempt with fresh energy and motivation.
Developing the right mindset is critical for long-term success. It not only lays the groundwork for a meaningful and successful life, but also turns our mistakes and failures into our most desired accomplishments and goals.