Written by: Sarah Jones, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The mindset from which we operate has an immense impact on every aspect of our lives—our health, relationships, careers, and most importantly, our sense of self-worth. The beliefs we harbor about ourselves create a filter, influencing our perception and affecting how we react and respond to challenges. Your mindset is detrimental to achieving life goals, managing relationships, and becoming well-rounded, self-assured, and successful. We naturally develop either a fixed or open mindset in childhood, consisting of subconscious beliefs which ripple out throughout the course of our lives.
One way to look at this is through the ‘Gifted Kid Burnout’ phenomenon. Children who show innate talent in a specific area often see low results in other subjects. It’s not because they’re incapable, but because they have developed the belief that they can only excel in subjects that come naturally to them. They often give up without trying or at the first sign of difficulty. These children struggle to adapt to challenges later in life, as they have developed a fixed mindset. They have learned to measure their success by the degree of natural talent instead of effort and hard work.
In contrast, children who don’t excel naturally in a specific area are much more likely to learn the value of working hard and carry this mindset into the rest of their lives. They know that it takes effort to succeed. They embrace the learning curve and approach failure as an opportunity to develop themselves. They learn to learn, take risks, try new things, and don’t judge themselves on fixed personality characteristics. This reflects an open mindset, a habit every single one of us can cultivate. The mind is a muscle like any other— strengthening it just takes a little practice.
The Fixed Mindset
A fixed mindset is resistant to change. It knows what it can and can’t do and won’t be told otherwise. If a task takes too much effort, it is deemed a waste of time and energy. People will this mindset are fear-orientated, making them much less likely to take risks, dream big, and learn new things. Failures become a personal judgment, with self-esteem becoming prickly, defensive, and reactive. A difficult place from which to pursue success.
If you find yourself full of doubts, constantly try to prove yourself, or judge yourself purely on traits such as intelligence and creativity, you are operating from a fixed mindset. What many fail to realize is that the mind is a muscle we can control. With a bit of effort, a fixed mindset can be transformed into an open mindset.
The Open Mindset
An open mindset is primed for growth, development, and transformation. There is less emphasis on natural ability and an understanding that human beings are built to learn and adapt. Those with an open mindset view personality traits as mutable and value the learning process as much as the outcome, if not more.
They view challenges, setbacks, and failures as opportunities for growth, and are more likely to take risks, master new skills, and dream big. They are more receptive to feedback, seek continual improvement, and have a way of finding the silver lining to any setback. These are the creative problem-solvers, the quick thinkers, the adaptable, and the optimists, and they are much likely to achieve success and realize their dreams.
How Mindset Helps Across Life
Cultivating an open mindset is the gateway to a life of continuous development and self-mastery. You’re guaranteed to see a fast improvement in mood, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. With an open mindset, you are less likely to suffer depression and chronic stress, as you will have learned to lower expectations of yourself and others, becoming less judgemental in the process. You will understand that the goal is not perfection. The goal is growth.
An open mindset will vastly improve your relationships as you release impossible standards of perfection and instead commit to doing the work through communication and compromise. By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, you will no longer succumb to fear of failure as you being to operate from a relaxed and curious space. You will also find yourself much less concerned with what others think of you.
Techniques to Change Your Mindset
Countering the inner critic:
Identify the inner critic—those nasty, nagging doubts that creep in.
Narrow down the thought. Identify the root—the limiting belief.
Counter the limiting belief. Question it.
Transform the negative belief into a positive belief, even if it feels forced or wrong.
Practice this every day. You are re-wiring your mind. It will soon become second nature.
Transforming your general mindset:
Find one positive side to every negative situation you encounter. Learn to see the silver lining.
Embrace all your failures. Practice gratitude for the lessons learned.
Lower expectations—for yourself and others. This takes the pressure off and frees you to take more risks and try new things.
Speak to yourself the way you would a loved one.
Try something you always thought you could never do, and see what happens…
As the famous Buddhist quote says, ‘Mindset is the Ground of Everything’
Ask yourself where your mindset is – are you generally open or closed. Where do you tend to have more success in life – is your mindset different in that situation?
Whilst I coach and help my clients with careers and leadership – so much of what I tackle is around self-belief, confidence, and Mindset.
With the right mindset, you will overcome setbacks, learn new skills, continue to believe in yourself, and push yourself forwards despite circumstances. You will change relationships and results in your life.
Sarah Jones, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sarah Jones - Published author, speaker, accredited personal & executive coach helps motivated, ambitious professionals & executives improve their career, find a new career, and help teams accelerate success & performance.
Due to significant early challenges in her own life, Sarah has always been tenacious, entrepreneurial & unafraid to speak her mind.
At times being the only woman in the boardroom amongst international corporations in her early 30s, she is a beacon of strength for leaders and individuals.
In Sarah’s former career, she was a leader in corporate affairs but founded Sarah-J Coaching to help individuals & leaders become their personal best in life and their careers.
She is dubbed the phrase 'regroup, reboot, and reinvent' - a three-step change process - having helped pull out individuals from the trenches & into their own spotlight through her transformative and action-based coaching approach.
Her book ‘From Vulnerable to Invincible’ helps readers identify how to step into their challenges, reframe & learn, to launch themselves to success.
She also regularly contributes to the media such as BBC, The Guardian & Sky. She regularly speaks and has delivered empowering talks for Pearson Business School and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
