Your mindset is essential to changing your life. Honestly, I would say that in order to successful follow through with your goals, your mindset work needs to be prioritized. If you are constantly battling your thought patterns to try to implement a new habit it is going to get exhausting very quickly.
What is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset is where you have an inner belief that everything is a learning experience. You lessen shame and failure and adopt a “I learned something here” and can move forward with a more knowledge.
In my 20s I was a perfectionist and people pleaser that care so much about what others thought that I didn’t even know who I was. I started to find myself in my late 20s and even more so no in my 30s because everything is a learning experience. I get to try new things, learn from it and then adapt as needed. And as some would say “embrace the cringe”. I am some.
3 Essentials Areas of Your Life that Mould your Mindset
- Your thought patterns (obviously)
- Your Actions (or lack thereof)
- Your Surroundings
Your Thought Patterns & Triggers
Disclaimer: I am not a therapist or doctor of any kind. These are my thoughts and insights into this world as someone who had extremely bad negative self talk and am now much more at peace. If you are not in the right state of mind to look at your triggers please do not push yourself to do so. You can always come back later.
The biggest step in your awareness journey is to uncover your inner self-talk and triggers. This is uncomfortable work. You are shining a big old spotlight on things that have hurt you or reactions that make you feel embarrassed. But the goal here is to name it, see it and then process it.
What is constantly on your mind? What do you do to avoid thinking about big life decision or uncomfortable topics? Can you identify certain topics or moments that have triggered you in the past. Why did that trigger happen?
In the past one of my big triggers was money and random charges I didn’t expect would make me spiral “why would they charge me that don’t they know I am struggling” but it was me that forgot to cancel the subscription. I would blame external forces to make myself feel better. And the thing is that while I did struggle financially I somehow always had enough (even if it was going into debt) to pay my bills. I just didn’t realize that I was going to be okay. The fear of overdraft, saying no to going out because I had $0 or ruining my credit in my young 20s haunted me.
Your thought patterns have power.
If you can become aware of these thoughts, when they tend to arise you can start catching them before they send you down a spiral of emotions.
How to uncover your thought patterns and triggers?
- Journaling
- Breathwork
- Shadow Work
Start journaling out your thoughts. You can even talk out loud to yourself if you have safe space to do so. The goal here is set the intention of building awareness around your thought patterns. You will not be able to avoid them or shove them down because something will always come up to trigger you.
Your Daily Actions (or Lack thereof) Matter
How you show up in your day to day life can improve your mindset. Do you spend your day telling yourself you are going to workout and then push it off until later and eventually you don’t actually do it so the next day you are upset at yourself for not doing what you said you would.
You distrust yourself. You have spent so much time planning, take action, stoping, planning again and you are starting to realize that you don’t show up for the things you said you were going to do. This is a hard cycle to break because you want to change but you keeping thinking why would this time be any different.
Instead of determining all your past choices let’s focus on today. This moment. What can you do today that will make you feel good, positive, happy, or another emotion on this wheel. The reason we get so overwhelmed with living our dream life is because there are so many things we want that we lose sight of focusing on right now.
Look at the horizon to see where you want to go but scan down until you see your feet. You are standing in the middle of a wooden draw bridge with the next plank in your hand. Put it down and step forward.
READ: How to Set Daily Habits?
Your life is an accumulation of all the small daily actions you take. What step will you take today? or what are avoiding at all costs? This will help you start seeing what you can control and how to show up in your day to day life to get closer to your goals.
What to do with your surroundings?
The third part of your life that moulds your mindset is your surroundings. This can mean your living space, your work life, and where you hang with friends, and who you hang out with on the regular basis.
The reason I put surroundings last is because a lot of people fantasize about moving to a different city or country in order to fix all your problems aka change your surrounds and life will be better.
READ: 10 Micro Habits to Improve Your Life
However, you will be taking the version of you with the same thought patterns and daily actions (or lack thereof) with you to this new place. You want to do the inner work while cultivating your surroundings to reflect the dream life you crave.
Plus, your surroundings can influence your thought patterns and actions. If you have a hour commute to work, your day is going to look different than someone who works from home.
On top of that how do you think about your commute? Do you hate it? Sit in traffic getting angrier by the minute so when you show up to work you are already in a bad mood. Or do you love your commute. Do you use it as a meditative moment in your day to rejuvenate and connect with your goals.
Also, your surroundings can make our break your daily actions. Do you dislike your living situation? Do you feel like you cannot talking about your goals with your friends? If you shared that you wanted to start a business or go back to school or go to a dance class how would your friends and family react? Are they stopping you from taking a chance on your dream life? Would they make you feel good or bad? Support you or make fun of you?
All three of these things are ebbing and flowing at all times. Being aware of how your thought patterns, daily habits and surroundings can effect your mindset is essential to seeing growth in your day to day life.
To get started I want you to commit to a 7 day mindset glow up.
Your 7 Day Mindset Glow Up Starts Here:
You can start this 7 Day challenge at any time. Right now or prepare for Sunday and do a full week. At the end of this challenge I want you to have a mindset shift that helps you feel more confident and empowered to complete your daily tasks and get closer to your goals.
Day 1: Reflect and Set Intentions
- Take some time to reflect on your current mindset.
- Identify any negative thought patterns or limiting beliefs.
- Set positive and empowering intentions for the week ahead.
- Write down specific goals for your mindset glow-up.
Day 2: Gratitude Practice
- Start a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for each morning or right before bed.
- Reflect on the positive aspects of your life and focus on what you have rather than what you lack.
- If thinking of things to be grateful makes you feel weird or like you don’t deserve it, journal that out and ask yourself why.
Day 3: Mindfulness Meditation
- Begin a mindfulness meditation practice. Start with a short session (1-5 minutes) if you’re new to meditation.
- Focus on your breath and bring your attention to the present moment.
- Use guided meditations or mindfulness apps if needed.
Day 4: Positive Affirmations
- Create a list of positive affirmations that resonate with you.
- Repeat these affirmations daily, especially in the morning or before challenging situations.
- Believe in and internalize the positive statements about yourself.
Day 5: Digital Detox
- Take a break from social media and other digital distractions for a set period. Example: Every Wednesday at 5pm you put your phone away from the night.
- Use the time to connect with yourself, a hobby, nature, or loved ones.
- Notice how your mindset shifts when you’re not constantly exposed to social media.
Day 6: Learn Something New
- Challenge your mind by learning a new skill or gaining knowledge in a different area.
- Engage in activities that stimulate your creativity and curiosity.
- Embrace the learning process and celebrate your progress.
Day 7: Self-Care Ritual
- Dedicate a day to self-care. Pamper yourself with activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
- Practice self-compassion and kindness towards yourself.
- Reflect on the week and acknowledge the positive changes in your mindset.
Remember, the key to a successful mindset glow up is consistency and a willingness to embrace growth. Adjust the challenge to suit your personal preferences and continue incorporating positive habits into your daily routine beyond the 7 days.
You can get the Notion Dashboard Template here to get more journal prompts and a place to check in each night.