One thing that we can count on in life is change. Nothing stays the same. We are always moving. All living things are either growing or dying. While there is a life cycle to all living things, and nothing and no one lives forever, it behooves us to be keenly aware of where we are at in life, what we want, and what direction we are heading.
Life can be a something we float through, like a raft down a river, or it can be a script that we work to write ourselves. We can muddle through life, letting those around us and circumstances dictate what we do, where we go, and who we become. But we can also be the directors of our lives… taking charge, laying out plans, seeing a desired future, and striving to maximize this gift of life we’ve been given.
A key component to living a life of significance is mindset. Our thoughts are the most powerful tool we have to achieve what we want to achieve. They are the foundation upon which your life is built. All great accomplishments started as a thought. There are two types of mindset… fixed and growth.
A fixed mindset sees all the limitations in the world, believes in the scarcity mentality, and loves the words can’t, shouldn’t, why, and never. A growth mindset sees the possibilities, believes in the abundance mentality, and loves words like can, should, why not, and always. A fixed mindset believes we are dictated by our environment, while a growth mindset believes we create our environment. A fixed mindset sees our potential, while a growth mindset allows for unlimited potential. A fixed mindset believes our genes dictate who we are, while a growth mindset knows that our behaviors and choices dictate our gene expression. A limited mindset uses family disharmony, less than ideal conditions where we grew up and lived, and/or a tumultuous upbringing as excuses, while a growth mindset uses all of those as motivation. A limited mindset wallows in the past, using past failures and shortcomings as proof that the future is restricted and bleak, while a growth mindset learns from the past, gets fueled by past failures, and sees the future as an open book full of opportunity.
What do you think you should feel like at 30? 50? 70? Or even 90? What should your bank account look like early in life, in mid-life, or in retirement? What should marriage be like after 10, 20, or 50 years? What should your body look like at 40, 50, or 70? Your mindset is the single most powerful thing that will dictate all areas of your life.
I had a favorite quote I would say to my children since they were very young… “See it… believe it… achieve it.” I wanted to instill not just an idea, but a belief that they were in control of what their life will look like. I wanted them to adopt a growth mindset.
Think about your mindset. Has it been a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? It’s never too late to shift. You are where you are right now because of the mindset you have. Where will you be in one year, five years, or twenty years? You will be in one of two very different places depending on the mindset you commit to.
If you are seeking a life of greatness, fulfillment, and fullness, you MUST have a growth mindset. It will allow for achievements beyond your wildest dreams, extreme significance, and excitement into the latest years of your life.
