Alter Your Mindset
ALTER YOUR MINDSET IN 3 EASY WAYS
Mindset is defined as the established set of attitudes held by someone. We all struggle with getting into the proper mindset from time to time. I believe that we all have the power to alter our mindset if we truly wish to. If that is true, why does it seem so difficult? Many psychological studies have been done on the topic of mindset, attitudes, and habits. The truth is that it is hard work and takes a commitment by the individual if they truly want to change. Before we explore methods to get better in controlling our mindset, let us no longer use the word change. Change is often interpreted to mean something is wrong. If it were not wrong, why should it be changed? Alter implies improvement in an area that we would like to become more efficient in. We should never see ourselves as broken, rather a work in progress. Thus, I believe that alter is the better word to use.
Recently, I have delved into Jane McGonigal’s book, SuperBetter.” I enjoy how she looks at mindset as either a threat or a challenge. How we decide to frame something has a great deal to do with the success we have in solving issues that will arise in our lives. That fight or flight response occurs when we perceive something as a threat to us. When we see issues as a threat, we often respond emotionally. Emotional responses often don’t lead us to make our best decisions. If we can replace the perceived threat as a challenge, we can better respond logically. Logical responses are usually better decisions for us personally. Also, they are vital if we are leaders attempting to handle issues with our team. People who come to us with problems need us to be calm so we together can solve the issue. Therefore, it is important work on responding better.
Altering your mindset to a more positive place is not about unicorns and faked positivity. We all deal with negative things in our lives. Some are truly life-altering, and some are more trivial. The key is learning to recognize which events deserve the fight or flight response and which we need to turn the volume down on because we can handle them without becoming stressed. There is a power we feel when we can handle difficult situations. Leaders know the euphoric feeling that can occur after solving difficult issues for members of their teams. Experience in dealing with these situations gives us more confidence.
So here a couple of practical methods to employ to improve your mindset:
One, assess any issue that comes your way. Unless it is an extreme emergency, take a deep breath and attempt to remove as much emotion as you can from the situation. This will aid you in making a better overall decision. When we respond emotionally, we react. Reacting is often a split-second decision. Responding is when we take a breath and then offer our initial thoughts. There is a huge difference and that calmer approach will be appreciated.
Two, reframe situations as challenges to be solved like we do when play a game. Think like a scientist or mathematician trying to solve a complex equation. When we play games, we think with curiosity and brainstorm all kinds of possibilities in our quest to be victorious. Being curious will help us see more possible answers. When we have an increased number of possible answers, we will most likely provide better alternatives.
Three, empathize with others. Perspective can be gained from seeing any issue from the viewpoint of another. When we step into the shoes of others, we see things more realistically and balanced. Empathy is an important skill for all of us. Most of us will not reach out to those who are incapable of showing us empathy. As your empathy quotient increases, people will seek out your consul. They see you as possessing wisdom and thus know you are a valuable resource. If your goal is to help others, empathy is a prerequisite.
Remember that altering your mindset will be challenging at times. It takes practice like all viable skills. Give yourself patience and grace as you begin to alter how you see the world.
In summary, move from a threat mindset to a challenge mindset. You will become the voice of reason for others. You will also improve your outlook on life. Others may be more attracted to you because you have become a source of positivity. We all want to be surrounded by those that lift us up! Assess, reframe, and show empathy. It takes intentionality and practice. If you are committed, you will experience more joy in your life. It all starts with you and your ability to reshape how you see the world. We all have the power to make it happen.
