Over the course of my life I have invested thousands of hours 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 study of progressive success included scores of interviews, listening to hundreds of recorded hours with thought leaders and reading countless books written by experts on change and personal development. It also includes what has proven true in my own life and in the lives of my clients.
My conclusion? Everything begins and ends 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 of mindset, how do we proactively create one that is healthy and in tune with our vision and mission? Consider these 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 mentally 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 but in truth, it is not always easy. Why? 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 is where we must start. We must set a new mindset, a new expectation that will become a new core belief.
What about you? 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? Then start with these two questions:
Do I believe it’s possible?
Do I believe it’s possible for me?
If your answers are YES, then you’re ready to begin! The first hurdle is behind you. If not, let’s talk. Remember that this is not just about you. Your life outcomes matter to others as well, now and for all the generations to follow. The possibilities are there just waiting for you.
Think well to live well. Live today like you want tomorrow to be.