If you want to change your future, you need to make sure that you develop a growth mindset. In our last blog post, we looked at what you can start doing to achieve more in 2019. But for that to continue throughout the year, you need to develop a mindset that will ensure you persevere.

What Is A Growth Mindset?

More than 30 years ago the Psychologist, Caroline Dweck, coined the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset. These were used to explain two different attitudes to learning. Someone with a fixed mindset believes that they are born with a fixed amount of intelligence and nothing you do can change that. You are able to do something or not. Whereas with a growth mindset, you believe that you can learn how to do things, intelligence is not limited and you recognise that with effort you can achieve more.

For example, have you ever told yourself that you’re rubbish at a certain subject? You might say you’re no good at art or that maths just isn’t your thing. These sorts of comments would suggest a fixed mindset. However, if you found maths difficult but told yourself that with a bit of work and persistence, you can solve the equation, you would have a growth mindset.

What Does It Matter?

The idea of growth and fixed mindsets has long been popular in the world of education but what has it got to do with you as a mum or mumpreneur?

We all face challenges in our lives. However, with a fixed mindset you are more likely to feel like you’ve been defeated; it disempowers you as you don’t believe you have any influence or control over the situation.

However, with a growth mindset you begin to take an entirely different view. Instead, you believe that with effort, you can overcome your obstacles and find a way forward. You can learn how to change the situation and outcome.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer the second option! It also suggests an element of self belief which we know is something we need but tend to find in short supply as mums.

Develop A Growth Mindset

There are many ways that you can begin developing a growth mindset but you will find three different techniques below that will help you get started in switching those thoughts:

1. Add The Word “Yet”

This one is simple but effective. There will be things that you tell yourself that you can’t do. This might even happen several times a day. Every time you have one of those thoughts, add the word “yet” on to the end of your sentence.

“I can’t get my child to eat vegetables” becomes “I can’t get my child to eat vegetables YET”.

“I can’t get my website to work properly” is then “I can’t get my website to work properly YET”.

Those three letters change the meaning - rather than making it seem like something’s impossible, you’re now acknowledging that there is an answer for you to find.

2. Ask How Rather Than Why

It’s easy for us to get trapped into thoughts that keep asking “why” something has gone wrong. How many times have you said, “why has this happened to me?” or “why can’t things just run smoothly for once?”

But again, we can see how disempowering this is. It suggests that there is nothing you can do to improve things, that you’re stuck with the outcome. However, start thinking of “how” questions and you begin focusing on solutions rather than the problem. For example, ask “how can I ensure this doesn’t happen next time?” or “how can I improve this outcome?”

This allows for growth and puts you back in charge.

3. From Fail To Learn

One of the things that can lower our self esteem is thinking we’ve failed when things haven’t quite worked out the way we want. Again, it makes it seem like what you were trying to achieve is unattainable.

Instead, think of these things as part of your learning journey. Rather than saying you’ve failed, talk about what you have learned. This sets you up for moving forward and achieving more success.

Give it a go and let me know how you get on. If you need help or support you know where I am.

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.