How to Have a Better Mindset
Introduction
Your mindset is the collection of beliefs you hold about yourself, your potential, and the world around you.
These beliefs shape your thought process, influencing your actions, habits, and outcomes in your life. “
Your thoughts become your words…
your words become your actions…
your actions become your habits…
and your habits become your life,” as Gandhi famously said.
Developing a better mindset is the first step to achieving your desires and navigating difficult times with resilience.
Adopting a positive mindset can help you grow more resilient, physically and mentally. For instance, a growth mindset encourages learning and improvement, even in stressful situations.
Research supports that having an optimistic mindset leads to improved physical health. In an eight-year study, 70,000 women with a positive outlook were found to have a significantly lower risk of severe diseases like heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
MINDSET AND MOTIVATION
Mindset and motivation are intricately linked.
Your thought process affects how motivated you feel about challenges. With a growth mindset, for example, you believe you can learn new skills, find new ways to handle challenges, and turn bad days into opportunities for personal growth. You may also realize that self-defeating thoughts are simply obstacles that can be replaced by positive self-talk and a renewed focus on your goals.
Maintaining motivation is important because life is full of stressful situations and setbacks. Successful people don’t avoid challenges; they learn how to face them with a positive attitude. My motivation to keep healthy stems from wanting to avoid chronic illness as I age. This pushes me to practice daily habits that support my health – without aiming for perfection – just trying to be as good as I can be given the obstacles I faced on any given day. I’m realistic, allowing room for flexibility while consistently investing in my future health.
But, like anyone, I’m not perfect. I still enjoy treats and make room for things like dark chocolate in my diet. Perfection isn’t the goal – consistency is. Each small choice we make contributes to a better mindset over time.
My mindset is one that says, “I am in control of my health and I am responsible for it”. This drives me to eat well, exercise daily and prioritise good restorative sleep.
Motivation and mindset is the first module in my 4-week online group programme to help women rejuvenate their joints and build strains bones.
We explore our personal values and our deepest emotional reasons why we want something. As Tony Robbins said, “As we develop new beliefs about who we are, our behaviour will change to support this new identity”. Once we identify with who we are and who we want to be, we can then set goals and daily habits to take us there.
UNDERSTANDING WHY BAD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK
Breaking bad habits is challenging because they carve deep “grooves” into our thought process – similar to how a tractor’s wheels eventually wear deep ruts into the ground. The longer you follow a habit, the harder it can feel to steer yourself out of these ruts.
However, this process of change is rooted in a natural phenomenon called neuroplasticity, where new, healthier pathways can replace old, self-defeating thoughts through repetition and effort. Think of these grooves as a fixed mindset and your effort to steer out of them as a growth mindset in action.
Once we recognize that initial resistance to change is only temporary, it can make adopting a better mindset more achievable. We need to know that putting in the effort to escape old habits and build healthier routines isn’t something we’ll have to do forever. Eventually, new, more positive habits will also create ruts of their own, but ones that guide us toward a positive frame of mind and lasting personal growth.
Here’s an analogy. Imagine a tractor taking the same route through a field every day… day in… day out… for months. Eventually, those huge heavy tyres wear ever deeper grooves or rutts into the soil. So much so, that steering a different path is really difficult. It becomes very hard to get out of the rutt. The engine would have to be at high revs, and you’d probably need a bit of speed behind you to manage it. High effort, in other words.
Life can be like this. We allow ourselves to get ever deeper into our metaphorical habitual ruts and there we get stuck. When we’re stuck in an unhelpful habit, it takes a growth mindset, and initially a lot of energy and momentum to get ourselves out. Just as it would take the tractor a lot of engine power to get those tyres up the steep sides of the rut.
That’s why bad habits are hard to break. We must put in a lot of effort upfront to effect a change. Once we’re out of the rut, it’s much easier, because the new behaviour or way of thinking becomes automatic.
Caroline Myers said, “Transformation is the process of becoming conscious of the many levels on which we make our choices and learning to recognise what it is we create as a result of our choices”.
Here are some tips to help you recognise your mindset, understand your motivations, and make some improvements to your habits.
7 WAYS TO IMPROVE
1. Develop self-awareness
Why it matters: Becoming aware of your own thoughts lets you understand and interrupt automatic negative thoughts that don’t serve you. This is the first step in shaping a more positive outlook on life.
Exercise: Begin with mindful journaling. Write down thoughts that arise during the day and reflect on whether they encourage or discourage you. Pay attention to the thoughts that trigger positive or negative actions, and remember, even a small change can have a huge impact over time..
2. Choose your thoughts
Why it matters: We all have the power to redirect our thoughts from negative to positive. Actively choosing your thoughts trains your mind to adopt a growth mindset, promoting resilience and flexibility.
Exercise: Try positive self-talk techniques, especially during difficult times. If you’re feeling down, replace phrases like, “I can’t do this,” with, “I’m learning something new.” Reframing your own thoughts in this way allows you to take control, ultimately building a better mindset over time.
3. Repeat empowering thoughts
Why it matters: Repeating positive, empowering thoughts on a regular basis strengthens them, forming new neural pathways. Over time, these thoughts become second nature, fostering an optimistic mindset that supports physical health and mental well-being.
Exercise: Develop a positive affirmation that resonates with your goals, such as “I am capable and strong.”Repeat this affirmation daily, especially during stressful situations or when you face setbacks. The simplest way to rewire your mindset is by choosing a single affirmation and repeating it consistently.
4. Reframe Struggles as Growth
Why it matters: Embracing challenges as opportunities for personal growth shifts your perspective from resistance to resilience. A growth mindset lets you view challenges as stepping stones toward new skills and resilience.
Exercise: When you encounter a challenge, ask yourself, “How will this help me grow?” or “What’s the silver lining?” This thought process promotes self-awareness and reinforces a positive frame of mind, even when life throws bad things your way.
5. Explore your why
Why it matters: Having a clear purpose drives long-term motivation, especially when faced with negative emotions. Understanding your “why” provides clarity and fuels an attitude of gratitude for what you’re achieving.
Exercise: Keep asking yourself why you want a better health or a positive mindset. Your thought process may change as you continue asking “why,” allowing you to connect deeply with your ultimate goals.
6. Visualise a Compelling Future
Why it matters: Visualizing the best version of yourself creates a positive sense of expectation, helping you embrace new behaviors with enthusiasm. Imagining your future self can make the hard work of changing your mindset feel more rewarding.
Exercise: Spend time visualizing yourself achieving specific goals, whether it’s adopting a positive mindset or achieving good physical health. Imagine the changes to various areas of your life—like daily life, professional lives, and personal relationships.
7. Embrace the Journey
Why it matters: Acknowledge that personal transformation is about progress, not perfection. Celebrating small steps on your journey reinforces your better mindset.
Exercise: List the small wins in your daily life. They could be as simple as choosing a healthier breakfast or spending time with positive people. Recognising these small victories contributes to a positive attitude and keeps you motivated.
Bonus Tip: Find Your Resources
Why it matters: Positive change is easier with support. Connecting with positive people and using resources that encourage healthy ways to grow can make all the difference.
Exercise: Spend time with positive people who can uplift and support you. They might be family members, friends, or mentors. The powerful tool of community offers not only encouragement but fresh perspectives on challenges.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF A GROWTH MINDSET
Numerous studies have linked a growth mindset with health benefits beyond just mental well-being. People who maintain a positive mindset and resilient attitude tend to have stronger immune systems, a lower risk of inflammation, and an improved outlook on life.
When you believe in your capacity for change, it impacts your physical health too. Optimistic people are more likely to stay active, seek social connections, and engage in regular physical activity.
The health benefits include lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of chronic illness. In essence, a growth mindset isn’t just about mental resilience—it’s a path to overall wellness.
PRACTICAL EXERCISES FOR A BETTER MINDSET
- Mindful Journaling: Each day, write down three positive affirmations. Acknowledge both good things and challenges, and think about how you can learn from each experience.
- Visualization: Dedicate five minutes each day to visualizing your best self. Imagine how you feel, how much energy you have, and the great things you’re doing. This strengthens your motivation and optimistic mindset.
- Create a Vision Board: Collect images and words that represent your goals, whether in health, professional life, or personal growth. Keep it somewhere visible to reinforce your goals.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny compared to what lies within us.”
Believe in yourself. You are more powerful than you know.
SUMMARY
- Observe your thoughts and emotions
- Observe your actions and habits
- Practice saying empowering thoughts
- Create a compelling vision of your future health
- Know why you deeply want it
- Find people and resources to help you
CONCLUSION
Developing a better mindset is about taking small, meaningful steps to shift your beliefs, thoughts, and habits. By fostering a growth mindset, you’re opening yourself up to new opportunities and enabling yourself to respond to life’s challenges with strength and resilience.
Adopt empowering thoughts, embrace every step, and believe in your capacity for change.
P.S. Come and join my happy band of motivated ladies who love to look after their health. Come join my private Facebook group. I’d love to see you there!