Over the past few years I have invested thousands of hours into researching how people are able to effectively grow and change. After all, we know that success leaves clues and being able to grow is the most elemental change we can experience in our lives. My research included hundreds of interviews, listening to recordings from thought leaders and reading scores of books written by experts on change and personal development. It has also included observation within my own life and working with clients as a life coach. And what I have confirmed is that everything begins with our mindset.
Earl Nightingale stated it this way: “We become what we think about”. Jim Rohn taught that before you can accomplish anything you must first believe it is possible and then believe it is possible for you.
One of William James’ most quoted lines is this: “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” And from the Bible in Mark 9:23: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
It’s clear that unless we believe, we are not going to achieve.
Given the importance then of mindset, how do we proactively create one that is healthy and in tune with our vision and mission? I believe that there are three essential steps that make this possible.
Step 1: Make peace with the past. Here is where we usually trip up first. We limit our future based on our past. Our past is meant to prepare us for the future, not predict it. In fact, some of the greatest achievers now and from history are those that have used challenges in their past to propel them to a better life. We must make peace with our past. The steps for that can vary but in essence, it involves achieving a state of grace through forgiveness of ourselves and others so that we can live from a place of gratitude.
Step 2: Be honest about the present and take responsibility for it. Personal responsibility is a significant factor for personal growth. As long as we play the blame game, we are in fact imprisoning ourselves as a victim. We live “at the mercy” of circumstances or other people. Once we are honest about where we are and take responsibility for our life and everything in it, we are in actuality empowering ourselves to change it.
Step 3: Act based on faith in the future. It is not enough to have hope. Hope means we “might” succeed. It’s enough to start, but it won’t be enough to finish. Faith means we believe that we will. It means we won’t accept anything less.
Three steps to a healthy mindset. Sounds simple and yet it isn’t always easy. Because we’ve had years of practice thinking the way we think now. We’ve had years to let limiting beliefs and judgments cloud our vision. But it’s where we must start. We must set a new mindset. A new expectation that we allow to become a core belief.
Think about this for yourself. In what area of your life would you most like to experience growth in the next 90 days? What growth would you like to see?
Do you believe it’s possible?
Do you believe it’s possible for you?
Then you’re ready! The first hurdle is behind you. If not, I’d like to help. Because you matter to me. And your life matters to others as well, now and for many generations to follow.
Think well to live well.
Great post, Kathi! I so agree that we can change our mindset and you have offered some powerful suggestions in how to do so. Working on transforming limiting patterns and beliefs is key and this does come from making peace with past and being willing to accept who I am and where I am today. Then, I can begin to change. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Beth! I’m glad the post resonated with you and was an inspiration. These are regular check-in points for me when I’m struggling with something (or even someone). I can usually find the underlying or root cause of it and then it all falls into place. Before we can lead anyone else, we must first lead ourselves and these points are part of that from my experience. Have a great day!