Resilience Is a Key Component for Building a Growth Mindset

"Common sense would suggest that having an ability, like being smart, inspires confidence. It does, but only while the going is easy. The deciding factor in life is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People with a growth mindset welcome setbacks with open arms," said best-selling author Dr. Travis Bradberry. The key to changing your mindset is to understand yourself. Studies of people who have a growth mindset suggest that they behave differently when confronted by a challenge and end up learning more quickly from his or her mistakes rather than feeling paralyzed by a need for change.

Listed below are tips for establishing a mindset that can help you adopt new behaviors to support growth, such as:

• Accept the Fact Your Thinking Needs an Adjustment - Accomplishing new things requires that you resist the notion of protecting yourself from uncertainty, and instead, work your past fear and discomfort to gain a greater self-knowledge.
• Realize Willpower and Motivation May Not Be Enough - A positive mindset promotes self-confidence, helps you manage your emotions, and allows you to see challenging situations as new opportunities.
• Take Control by Changing Your Beliefs - Do not fear making mistakes. They should be used to strengthen your resolve and become the building blocks for growing your self-confidence.
• Start Small and Always Be an Overachiever - Look for ways to solve problems that are holding you back rather than complaining to others about your situation. Make it part of your training.
• Set a Pace Based on Your New Mindset - Your journey toward self improvement is not a race. If you never allow yourself to enjoy the scenery, your goal can become more myth than reality. Follow your rainbow.

It doesn't matter how old you are, it is never too late to change your life for the better. The key is trading in your fixed mindset for one that supports and encourages making changes to live a life that's more fulfilled. If you tried to make new habits stick only to fall back into your old way of doing things, it can be discouraging, but stick with it. To make a new habit stick, make sure it stays front and center in your mind. Assigning visual cues or repeating it based around a specified time can help. When you identify the thoughts that don't serve any useful purpose in helping you develop new mindsets, you have to release those beliefs and tackle new challenges as the new you.