No matter how disciplined, no matter how lucky or motivated you may be, your mindset is going to be the main focusing lens on the road to your journey. This is basically your key to achieving success. But do you have a fixed mindset where you believe that your traits are set in stone and cannot be changed? Or a growth mindset where you believe your traits can be developed through experience and effort? Here are the signs that you may need to change your mindset:
1. You are quick to give up
If you find yourself quitting at the first sign of adversity, it's a good indication that you have a fixed mindset. People with a growth mindset view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow — after all, there's no such thing as overnight success. If you want to achieve your goals, you need to be willing to put in the hard work and face challenges head-on.
2. You dwell on your mistakes
If you dwell on your mistakes instead of learning from them, it’s time for a change in mindset. People with a fixed mindset see mistakes as evidence of their incompetence and avoid them at all costs. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset see mistakes as an inevitable part of life and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow... It’s important to watch out for these signs so you can catch yourself and make the switch to a growth mindset. With a little bit of effort, you can start enjoy the many benefits that come with having a Growth Mindset!
3. You shy away from criticisms
Do you get defensive when someone offers constructive feedback? If so, it could be because you're afraid of being told that you're not good enough. However, feedback is actually a valuable tool that can help you improve and reach your full potential. Instead of getting defensive, try to see criticism for what it is and use it to your advantage.
4. You are resistant to change
People with a fixed mindset are resistant to change because they fear it will lead to failure. On the other hand, people with a growth mindset see change as an opportunity for growth and progress. They’re not afraid to step out of their comfort zone because they know it’s essential for personal development.
5. You avoid taking risks
People with a fixed mindset often avoid taking risks because they don’t want to fail. They would rather play it safe than take a chance on something new. However, people with a growth mindset know that taking risks is essential for reaching their full potential. They view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes.
6. You believe talent trumps effort
If you think that talent is all that matters and that effort is secondary (or nonexistent), this is also connected to a ‘fixed mindset’. People with a fixed mindset mistakenly believe that talent alone leads to success — but time and time again, research has shown that effort is actually a much better predictor of success than natural ability. So instead of sitting back and waiting for success to come knocking on your door, get out there and start putting in the work!
7. You focus on short-term results
Are you constantly chasing after short-term gratification? People with fixed mindsets tend to focus on immediate results rather than long-term gain. If this sounds like you, try shifting your focus to more long-term goals — trust me, it'll be worth it in the end!
As you read this article, ask yourself if there are any areas of your life in which you need to change your mindset. Are you holding yourself back from achieving success? Are you stuck in a negative spiral that’s preventing you from growing? If so, it might be time for a mindset overhaul.
The good news is that once you become aware of the signs that it’s time for a change, the process of making those changes becomes much easier.
If you are reading this and wondering, ‘well how do I actually change?’ you might want to check out the field of personal development. People have been developing self-awareness and creating learning goals for themselves to take charge of their mindset for decades now in the name of ‘personal development’.
How does it relate to what we do at the Neuro Coaching Academy? Well, we train coaches to help people create transformational changes in mindset, and we also work with clients who are looking for one on one support to create a significant change. Many people also study our Neurolinguistics course just to learn the skills of transformational personal change for themselves.
Would you like to know more about the ‘growth mindset’ discussed here? Click through to an article about this.