Growth Mindsets Provide Motivation for Changing Behaviors

Having a growth mindset verses a fixed mindset has huge implications when it comes to how motivated someone is when confronted by a personal need for a change in behavior. A person's mindset provides the attitude needed for achievement and ultimately determines his or her success. People with a fixed or rigid mindset blame others for their own shortcomings instead of choosing to learn from them to become more successful in life. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden said, "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Actionable strategies, such as those listed below, help cultivate a positive mindset that is critical for long-term success:

• Believe in Yourself - With a growth mindset, failure is seen as an opportunity to learn from your attempt and gain new perspective from your experience.
• Be Aware But Get Started - There's tons of good and bad information available online. Focus on learning from the best advice available and develop the critical personal skills to understand how to avoid the rest.
• Never Doubt Change is Possible - Always believe that change is possible and don't listen to others, when they say it won't happen — actions change things.
• Never Focus on Shortcomings - The most damaging effect of a rigid mindset is the emphasis on external rewards and meaningless validations. Happiness is a by-product of an acute awareness of oneself.
• Stop Talking and Start Changing - We all know about that inner voice that habitually causes you to embrace negative thoughts. Stop talking about what you can't do and take a positive action instead.
• It's Not a Race so Self Pace - Realize that motivation and willpower are not enough and focus on mustering the perseverance needed for the successful attainment of your personal goals.
• Invest in a Winning Mindset - It is easy to feel demoralized when faced with adversity. Invest in your future by lifting your spirits and become the person that is determined to take up the challenge.

If you are going to change your life's circumstances, you will have to change the things you do each day. This requires a growth mindset that is focused on challenges, and not your routine. With a fixed mindset, you are more focused on the risks than the rewards. A growth mindset is needed to proactively confront the same risks you've been avoiding. Since positive affirmations operate at the level of conscious awareness, there can be undefined limiting beliefs that are never addressed. If you live a hectic life with a busy schedule, start out slow and build one new habit at a time. Once you are comfortable with your new behavior, it is time to tackle your next challenge.